MANAGER - PLAYTARIUM AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
Location: St Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School, Luton
Pay: £15.75 per hour, made up of £14.05 basic hourly pay plus £1.70 rolled-up holiday pay
Hours: 19 hours per week, term time only
Working pattern:
Monday: 2.30pm to 6.00pm
Tuesday: 2.30pm to 6.00pm
Wednesday: 2.30pm to 6.00pm
Thursday: 2.30pm to 6.00pm
Friday: 12.30pm to 5.30pm
Additional food shopping and administration hours may be agreed separately.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
This role would suit someone who believes children need time, space and freedom to play after school and who can lead that safely, thoughtfully and professionally within a school setting.
We are looking for someone who can support child-led play while understanding that this does not mean simply letting children do whatever they want: it takes judgement, clear boundaries, strong people skills and a genuine curiosity about what children are communicating through their play.
ABOUT PLAYTARIUM
PLAYtarium is a family-run, not-for-profit after-school club provider. We are guided by the Playwork Principles and believe children need time, space and freedom to play after the school day.
Our clubs are not an extension of the classroom. Children come to us after a full day of structure, expectations and adult-led routines. At PLAYtarium, we want them to feel trusted, listened to and free to explore their own ideas through play.
That might look like loose parts, den-building, imaginative games, movement, negotiation, risk-taking, creativity, problem-solving or simply having space to unwind.
ABOUT THE MANAGER ROLE
The Manager shapes what PLAYtarium feels like for children each day.
They lead the staff team, model good playwork practice, and help less experienced staff understand how to support children’s play without taking it over. They notice what children are communicating through their play and help the team respond with curiosity, judgement and clear boundaries.
This role would suit someone who enjoys the thinking behind playwork: why children do what they do, when adults should step in, when they should step back, and how to keep play alive while keeping children safe.
THE SETTING
Our club runs in a shared school space, so the Manager also plays an important role in helping PLAYtarium work well within the school environment.
We need someone who can build positive relationships, help others understand the value of child-led play, and bring people on board even when they may not immediately see or agree with our approach.
The space must be fully reset at the end of each session, but within that boundary there is still room for creativity, freedom, imagination and rich child-led play.
Head Office is available for support, but the Manager leads the club day to day and needs to feel confident making decisions, guiding the team and setting the tone.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Lead the club
- Be trusted to lead the club day to day, with Head Office available for guidance and support.
- Set the tone for how staff speak to children, respond to behaviour and support play.
- Lead the staff team during sessions and make sure everyone understands their role.
- Guide less experienced staff and help them develop professional boundaries with children.
- Make clear decisions about when play can continue, when it needs adapting, and when a boundary is needed.
Support children’s play
- Create a setting where children have time, space and freedom to play after school.
- Support child-led play without taking it over.
- Use children’s interests, ideas and choices to shape the play environment.
- Encourage creative, active, imaginative and appropriately risky play.
- Look for the play need behind behaviour that feels challenging, and help children adapt their play where needed rather than shutting it down unnecessarily.
Work within a school site
- Build positive working relationships with school staff.
- Help others understand the value of child-led play, including people who may not immediately see or agree with our approach.
- Balance PLAYtarium’s playwork ethos with safeguarding, safety, school expectations and the limits of a shared space.
- Support creative play while making sure the space is respected and fully reset at the end of each session.
Keep the club well-run and organised
- Maintain supervision and correct ratios.
- Keep registers, accident forms, incident forms and other records accurate.
- Follow PLAYtarium policies, including safeguarding, behaviour, health and safety, food hygiene and risk assessment.
- Prepare and serve snacks in line with food hygiene and dietary requirements.
- Administer first aid and complete records where needed.
- Communicate clearly with parents, school staff and Head Office.
- Complete mandatory training and take part in regular supervision.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
Essential
- Level 3 qualification in Playwork, Childcare, Early Years, Education or a related field.
- Experience working with children aged 3–11.
- Experience leading, supervising or guiding other staff.
- Good understanding of safeguarding and child protection, with willingness to complete further training.
- Confidence speaking with children, parents, staff and school staff.
- Ability to take ownership of the club day to day, with support from Head Office when needed.
- Good written and spoken English to complete records and communicate clearly.
- A calm, reflective and professional approach.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Playwork Principles.
- Experience in an out-of-school club.
- Experience using child-led play, loose parts or risk-benefit approaches.
- Experience supporting young or inexperienced staff.
- Confidence using IT systems for records and communication.
- Paediatric first aid, food hygiene or safeguarding training.
BENEFITS
- Term-time only hours.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Free uniform.
- Pension contributions in line with statutory requirements.
- Regular supervision and annual appraisal.
- Access to relevant training.
RECRUITMENT CHECKS
This role is subject to safer recruitment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check.
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply through Indeed with your CV and a short personal statement explaining:
- Why you're interested in the Manager role
- Your relevant childcare, playwork or leadership experience
- Your Level 3 qualification
- How you would balance child-led play with safety, boundaries and working on a school site
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview and a short practical trial session at the club.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £15.75 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
Application question(s):
- "How many years of experience do you have working in a formal childcare setting (e.g., nurseries, schools, out-of-school clubs, childminding, or other paid/voluntary roles)
- Do you hold a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education or Childcare
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
