Job Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Early Years Educator to join our team as an Assistant Room Leader (second-in-charge for the age specific room). This role offers an exciting opportunity to gradually develop early leadership skills while working with the Room Manager to support a team of childcare professionals, ensuring the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care. The successful candidate will be responsible for fostering a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for our children, whilst maintaining compliance with our setting policies and procedures. This position is ideal for someone with a passion for working with children who would like to build their personal confidence and skills for leading and organising others. Unfortunately we cannot offer sponsorship.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Room Manager in organising daily room operations and ensuring smooth team coordination
- Support the planning and implementation of age-appropriate activities that promote safe learning experiences for age appropriate development
- Supervise and motivate room colleagues, providing guidance and leadership to ensure high standards of care; including role modelling at all times to others including apprentices
- Maintain excellent communication with parents, carers, and colleagues to support children's individual needs
- Ensure all health and safety policies are adhered to, conducting constant dynamic risk assessments
- Assist in monitoring key children's progress and maintaining accurate records in line with our setting requirements
- Step into the Room Manager’s role in their absence for rota days off, sickness or annual leave, demonstrating excellent communication, organisational skills and leadership qualities (adhering to setting policies and procedures at all times)
Qualifications
- Childcare qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or an equivalent Full and Relevant Early Years qualification
- Demonstrated experience within a childcare environment
- Strong communication skills in English, both verbal and written
- Knowledge of early childhood development principles and best practices in childcare
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also demonstrating initiative
- Valid driving licence is desirable as we are not on public transport routes; some staff ride bikes to and from work each day
We are looking for a qualified Early Years Educator (you must hold a minimum Full & Relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification to apply).*pay range shown is for minimum salary with the higher range including the discretionary amount of 'Travel Support' for qualified staff travelling from further afield.
Unfortunately one of our Assistant Leads is planning to leave the sector completely and this leaves our Room Manager requiring someone to support them with leading their room; providing consistent practice, care and quality learning opportunities in our small, family-owned single setting.
We are small but busy and are very fussy when selecting new team members! If you can convince us that you have what it takes to be the extra smile at our door, please continue to read and find out more.
We are based on farmland and have the most beautiful surroundings which allow us to have our very own Forest School. Families share that they choose us for our consistent team and purposeful outdoor areas. They comment on the rare situation of touring a calm and nurturing setting that has a real 'extended family' feel. If you are passionate, positive and professional, take a look at our website, the 360 virtual tour and send us an email for an information pack. We are happy to show shortlisted candidates around the setting to help with the success of this recruitment process.
We are open all year with the only closures of Bank Holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year. Unfortunately, we do not employ term time only or school hours. We are open for business from 8am - 6pm and full-time staff work 4 full days (full time staff have a rota day off each week). Hours would be 7:50am - 6:05pm (9.5 hours each day = 38 per week) Paid 15 minute break and 45 minute unpaid lunchbreak in our staffroom Pod set in our beautiful grounds).
Look at the reviews on our website.
What are you waiting for? Click to the website and see for yourself why we love our little nursery and why you should take the leap of faith and apply!
Testimonial from a past member of our team:
I feel so lucky to have worked in such a warm, supportive and genuinely special setting. The care and encouragement I have received - both professionally and personally - has meant more to me than I can properly put into words.
I am especially grateful to Jen for her wonderful mentoring during my Early Years Teacher training. Her support, patience and belief in me helped me grow so much in confidence, and I will always carry that with me.
Being Room Lead has been such a proud and happy chapter for me. I have loved working alongside such a lovely team and being part of the children’s early journeys. The nursery really is an amazing place, and I will always speak so highly of it.
Visit www.sparklingminds.co.uk for contact details and an opportunity to look at our 360 tour.
We are committed to equality, inclusion, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Preferred candidates will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be required to complete safeguarding training. 2 references must be received before any employment can commence.
Pay: £27,664.00-£28,964.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Childcare
- Employee discount
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- After reading the advert in detail and looking at our website, why would you like to work at Sparkling Minds when most settings are currently advertising for Qualified Early Years staff?
Licence/Certification:
- UK Right to work certification (required)
- Minimum Level 2 Early Years Full and Relevant Qualification (required)
Work Location: In person
