Daycare Leader

Daycare Leader

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Barnwell Academy

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic daycare team, ensuring high-quality care and education for children.
  • Company: Join an Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ nursery with a passionate team.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a vibrant and inclusive setting.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a committed team.
  • Qualifications: 2+ years in childcare leadership and Level 3/5 qualification required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

The Trustees and Headteacher are looking to appoint a creative, energetic and capable person to drive forward a highly committed team within our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ day care nursery.

Essential Criteria

  • At least 2 years’ experience as a Leader and/or Senior Childcare Officer
  • Qualified to Level 3/5 in a DfE recognised Childcare qualification

We wish to appoint a member of staff who will motivate and lead a team of Childcare Officers. The post holder will model best practice to ensure successful outcomes for all children. You will help create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that will provide high quality care and learning experiences for children to develop within the nursery and work in partnership with parents/carers and the wider community.

The post holder will be responsible for the management of the nursery on a day-to-day basis ensuring that all the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage are met.

Purpose of the Role:

  • To lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the daycare provision, ensuring full compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, safeguarding requirements, and Ofsted standards.
  • To provide high-quality early education and care, ensuring children are safe, nurtured, and supported to achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

  • Lead the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment
  • Support, motivate, and supervise staff, students, and volunteers
  • Allocate and monitor key person responsibilities effectively
  • Contribute to staff development, supervision, and performance management

Quality of Provision

  • Ensure delivery of a high-quality EYFS curriculum that supports all areas of learning and development
  • Monitor planning, observations, and assessments to ensure progress for all children
  • Maintain high standards in line with Ofsted expectations and best practice

Safeguarding & Welfare

  • Promote and safeguard the welfare of all children at all times
  • Ensure safeguarding procedures are understood and followed by all staff
  • Liase with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and SENCo where concerns arise
  • Ensure health, hygiene, and care routines are consistently maintained

Partnership Working

  • Build strong, professional relationships with parents and carers
  • Communicate effectively about children’s progress and wellbeing
  • Signpost families to appropriate support services where needed

Inclusion & SEND

  • Promote an inclusive environment that meets the needs of all children
  • Support children with additional needs in partnership with external agencies
  • Ensure equality of opportunity for all children and families

Administration & Compliance

  • Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with GDPR
  • Contribute to reports for internal and external stakeholders
  • Ensure compliance with policies including safeguarding, equality, and health & safety

Professional Development

  • Keep up to date with current legislation, EYFS changes, and best practice
  • Engage in continuous professional development (CPD)
  • Attend and contribute to meetings, training, and whole-school activities

General Duties

  • Undertake flexible duties as required within the setting
  • Contribute to the wider life of the Academy
  • Carry out all duties in line with daycare and school policies and statutory requirements

Daycare Leader employer: Barnwell Academy

Join our outstanding daycare nursery, where creativity and energy thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment. We prioritise professional development and offer opportunities for growth within a dedicated team, ensuring that every child receives the highest quality care and education. Located in a vibrant community, we foster strong partnerships with parents and external agencies, making this an ideal place for passionate childcare leaders to make a meaningful impact.

Barnwell Academy

Contact Details:

Barnwell Academy Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Daycare Leader

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector, attend local events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your experience and achievements in childcare. Include photos, testimonials, and examples of activities you've led. This will help you stand out when you meet potential employers.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the nursery and its values. Think about how your leadership style aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve motivated teams in the past.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets noticed by the right people.

We think you need these skills to ace Daycare Leader

Leadership Skills
Team Management
Childcare Qualification (Level 3/5)
Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Safeguarding Knowledge
Communication Skills
Relationship Building

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for childcare shine through in your application. We want to see how your creativity and energy can contribute to our outstanding nursery environment.

Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to detail your leadership experience and any qualifications you have. We’re looking for someone who can motivate a team, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.

Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to reflect the specific requirements of the Daycare Leader role. Show us how your skills align with our mission to provide high-quality care and education.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Barnwell Academy

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Ofsted standards. Brush up on your knowledge of child development and safeguarding procedures, as these will likely come up during the interview.

Show Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff or improved the quality of care and education. This will demonstrate your capability to manage the daycare effectively.

Be Ready to Discuss Inclusion

Since promoting an inclusive environment is key, be prepared to talk about how you’ve supported children with additional needs. Share any experiences working with external agencies or adapting activities to ensure all children can participate.

Engage with Parents and Community

Think about how you’ve built relationships with parents and carers in previous roles. Be ready to discuss strategies for effective communication and how you’ve signposted families to support services, as this is crucial for the role.