At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fun and engaging activities for young children while ensuring their safety and development.
- Company: Join Barracudas, the UK's top children's holiday camp provider.
- Benefits: Competitive weekly salary, inclusive environment, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Inspire and support children in a fun, dynamic setting while building your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with Early Years children and a passion for childcare.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and making lifelong memories.
Early Years Group Leaders play a central role in delivering a safe, nurturing, and engaging camp experience for our youngest children. They lead Explore and Play and Active Play sessions, support the implementation of the EYFS, and ensure the daily running of their group is well-organised and child-centred. By building positive relationships, providing attentive supervision, and adapting activities to meet individual needs, they help every child feel confident, supported, and excited to learn and play.
Responsibilities
- Ensure the Early Years Foundation Stages are implemented and facilitate children’s development through Explore and Play and Active Play sessions.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and inviting environment by setting up and keeping the base room tidy, hazard-free, and ensuring all activity spaces and equipment are safe, fit for purpose and packed away appropriately.
- Deliver high-quality activity sessions by following the daily timetable and using available resources to plan, adapt and deliver a wide range of structured, age-appropriate, and engaging activities.
- Ensure active supervision at all times, monitoring children closely throughout the day, including breaks and lunch periods, and always knowing their whereabouts.
- Promote positive behaviour and participation by encouraging involvement, modelling appropriate behaviour, setting clear expectations, and addressing issues calmly and appropriately.
- Build positive relationships with children, offering encouragement, reassurance and support, and creating an environment where they feel confident to participate and ask for help.
- Meet individual needs and make reasonable adjustments to support children with additional needs, dietary requirements, or medical conditions.
- Uphold safeguarding responsibilities by following all safeguarding procedures and immediately reporting any concerns to the Senior Team or Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Follow all Health & Safety procedures, including registration, collection, movement systems, hygiene expectations, and wider camp protocols.
- Work collaboratively with the wider staff team to support colleagues, communicate effectively, and ensure smooth delivery of the daily timetable and camp operations.
- Be a positive role model by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm, and a commitment to high-quality childcare, promoting healthy lifestyles and good hygiene practices.
- Support additional camp activities, including Skills Builder sessions (where required) and swimming sessions, supervising children in and out of the water.
- Carry out additional duties as required in line with the needs of the camp and the organisation's objectives.
Essential Qualifications
- Experience working with Early Years children (nursery, preschool, reception or similar)
- Understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- Confident leading small groups and delivering structured activities.
- Ability to supervise children safely and respond appropriately to behaviour or welfare needs.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable Qualifications
- Qualified Primary Teacher or training towards a Primary Education degree
- CACHE Level 2 or above
- Paediatric First Aid Qualification
- Safeguarding training or certificates.
Employment in this role is subject to completing all pre-employment requirements, including being aged 18 or over by the start date, providing proof of eligibility to work in the UK, supplying satisfactory references, and holding or obtaining an Enhanced DBS check. All staff must complete mandatory training, including online modules, an in-person Induction Training Day and any additional role-specific briefings delivered by Central Office.
Barracudas is the UK's leading provider of children's holiday camps, helping young people build confidence, develop new skills, and make new friends through a wide range of activities. With 45+ camp locations across the UK, we offer exciting programmes including Sports, Arts & Crafts, Drama and more. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child feels supported and valued. Safeguarding and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.
Salary: £516.78 - £663.48 per week (dependant on age, experience, and qualifications).
Early Years Group Leader- Easter - Bedford in London employer: Barracudas Activity Day Camps
Contact Detail:
Barracudas Activity Day Camps Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Group Leader- Easter - Bedford in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the camp vibe! Before your interview, check out our website and social media. Understanding our culture will help you connect with the team and show you're genuinely interested in being part of the fun.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about how you’d lead an Explore and Play session or handle a tricky situation with a child. Role-play these scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and prepare for those interview questions.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Bring along any relevant certificates or examples of activities you've led before. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can contribute to creating a safe and engaging environment for the kids.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Group Leader- Easter - Bedford in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young children shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your love for nurturing and engaging with kids, as this is key to what we do at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention how your skills align with leading Explore and Play sessions and implementing the EYFS, so we can see you’re a perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great addition to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barracudas Activity Day Camps
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework before your interview. Be ready to discuss how you would implement it in your sessions, and think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully supported children's development.
✨Showcase Your Activity Planning Skills
Prepare to talk about how you plan and deliver engaging activities for young children. Bring along a few ideas or examples of structured, age-appropriate activities you've led before, and be ready to adapt them based on different needs or interests.
✨Demonstrate Your Supervision Techniques
Active supervision is key in this role, so think about how you ensure children's safety while keeping them engaged. Be prepared to share specific strategies you use to monitor children closely and how you handle any behaviour issues calmly and effectively.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
Remember, building positive relationships is crucial in this job. Approach the interview as an opportunity to connect with the interviewers. Show enthusiasm, be friendly, and demonstrate your passion for working with children. This will help them see you as a great fit for their team!