Hours: Part time, term time only (approx. 30 hrs/week, Mon–Fri, 12.30pm–6.30pm
Salary: £21,500–£24,000 FTE, pro rata (equivalent to approx. £13.50–£15.50 per hour)
Managed by: Playcentre Manager
Accountable to: Playcentre Manager and Board of Trustees
Team size: Approximately 8 -12 afterschool staff
Ofsted rating: Good
About Fiveways Playcentre
Fiveways Playcentre is a well-established, community-rooted setting serving children and families across Brighton. We are proud of our beautiful environment, which includes substantial outdoor space that forms a central part of our provision. Rated Good by Ofsted, we are committed to maintaining and building on our strong foundations as we look to the future.
Role Overview
The Afterschool Manager leads the day-to-day delivery of our afterschool service, ensuring children are safe, engaged, and well cared for from collection through to pick-up and lock-up. You will manage a small team of afterschool staff, hold responsibility for the safe close of the building each evening, and act as the main point of contact for parents and carers during the afterschool session.
This is a hands-on role requiring reliable daily presence, sound judgement, and a genuine warmth with children. You will report to the Playcentre Manager and work within the wider safeguarding, policy, and quality framework of the centre.
Key ResponsibilitiesService Delivery
- Lead the daily running of the afterschool service, including collection of children from school and handover to parents/carers.
- Plan and deliver a varied, age-appropriate programme of activities and play.
- Maintain accurate registers, attendance records, and incident logs.
- Ensure the premises are securely locked up at the end of each session, following the centre's closing procedures.
- Actively engage the parents network to grow the service
Staff Management
- Supervise and support a small team of afterschool staff, including day-to-day deployment and rota management.
- Provide induction, on-the-job guidance, and input into staff supervision and appraisal.
- Ensure adequate staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times.
Safeguarding and Health & Safety
- Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the afterschool service, working closely with the centre's DSL.
- Ensure all safeguarding, health and safety, and risk assessment procedures are followed consistently during the session.
- Respond appropriately to incidents, accidents, and safeguarding concerns, escalating to the Playcentre Manager as required.
- Take responsibility for the physical security of the building and grounds at the end of each day, including alarm setting and lock-up.
Family and Communication
- Be the first point of contact for parents and carers during afterschool hours, handling queries and concerns professionally.
- Communicate clearly with the Playcentre Manager on operational issues, staffing, and any concerns arising from the session.
- Contribute to a warm, welcoming atmosphere for children and families at pick-up.
Administration
- Maintain accurate records relating to attendance, bookings, and payments for the afterschool service.
- Support the Playcentre Manager with reporting on afterschool usage and performance.
- Order and maintain resources and equipment needed for the afterschool programme.
Person SpecificationEssential
- Experience working in an afterschool club, playwork, or out-of-school childcare setting.
- Level 2 (minimum) qualification in childcare, playwork, or early years, or equivalent experience.
- Experience supervising or leading a small team.
- Confident, calm, and reliable, with sound judgement in a lone-working or lock-up context.
- Good working knowledge of safeguarding practice and willingness to act as Deputy DSL.
- Strong communication skills with children, parents, and colleagues.
- Flexibility to cover occasional early finishes or late pick-ups as needed.
Desirable
- Level 3 qualification in childcare, playwork, or early years.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) qualification.
- Experience of holiday club or wraparound care provision.
- First Aid at Work certification.
What We Offer
- A friendly, community-rooted setting with a strong identity and beautiful outdoor space.
- A salary of £24,000–£28,000 FTE, pro rata, dependent on experience.
- Supportive line management from the Playcentre Manager.
- A warm, dedicated team.
- Pension contribution.
- Continuous professional development opportunities.
How to apply
- Please send a cover letter (max. two pages) and a CV to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 28th August 2026
Fiveways Playcentre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Pay: £13.80-£15.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
