Nursery Room Lead – Baby, Toddler or Pre-school
Full-time | £27,000 to £29,000 per annum | Tattenhall, Cheshire
Start date: December 2026 | Nursery opens January 2027
Little Oaks is a new independent day nursery opening in Tattenhall in January 2027, caring for children aged 0 to 5. We are looking for three experienced practitioners to lead our baby, toddler and pre-school rooms.
Nature and the outdoors are at the heart of Little Oaks. Each Room Lead will ensure children spend a large amount of time outside, daily and in all weathers, supported by practitioners who understand their stage of development and provide warm, consistent and responsive care.
As a Room Lead, you will shape the environment, the routines and the culture within your room.
The role
You will lead your room day to day while remaining fully hands-on with children. Specifically, you will:
- Lead high-quality practice appropriate to the age and development of the children in your room.
- Model warm, consistent and emotionally supportive interactions.
- Support and guide the practitioners in your room.
- Plan and adapt provision around children's interests and stage of development.
- Deliver the EYFS through a nature-led, play-based approach.
- Support children through routines, transitions and emotional development.
- Work with the Nursery Manager on staff deployment and standards.
- Work with the Nursery Chef to create fun, interactive experiences growing and eating food.
- Build trusting relationships with parents and carers.
- Meet safeguarding, health and safety and statutory requirements consistently.
What we are looking for
Essential
- An approved Level 3 Early Years qualification or above that enables you to count in EYFS staff-to-child ratios.
- Significant experience working with the age group you would like to lead.
- Good understanding of child development and the EYFS.
- Confidence leading practice within a room.
- A clear commitment to safeguarding and high professional standards.
Desirable
- Previous experience leading an early years room.
- Experience supporting and developing other practitioners.
- Experience supporting children with additional needs.
- Interest or experience in outdoor learning or Forest School approaches.
When applying, please tell us whether you are most interested in leading our Baby Room (0–2), Toddler Room (2–3) or Pre-school Room (3–5).
What we offer
Time off. 25 days’ holiday, 8 bank holidays, your birthday off and a paid Christmas closure, so around 37 days off each year. We are deliberately generous, because we want people who are well rested and fully engaged when they are here.
- 50% discount on childcare fees for your own children
- High staff-to-child ratios
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Enhanced DBS and required training paid for
- Ongoing CPD and leadership development
Safeguarding
Little Oaks Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, identity and suitability checks and satisfactory references.
How to apply
Send your CV and tell us which room you are most interested in leading. We are happy to arrange an informal conversation beforehand if that would help, and arrangements can be made for you to see the nursery and the vision Elizabeth has for it.
Pay: £27,000.00-£29,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- What do you believe makes an excellent nursery and why you want to build Little Oaks with us?
- Which room lead role are you applying for?
Experience:
- working with children: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- level 3 Early Years qualification (or above) (required)
Work Location: In person
