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, training opportunities, and a chance to make a difference.
- Why this job: Be a positive role model and help kids build confidence and new skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with Early Years children and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Work in a supportive team environment with great career growth potential.
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- February - Welwyn 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- February - Welwyn in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Barracudas' website and social media. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience with Early Years children and how you can contribute to the camp.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for childcare! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children's lives in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to creating a nurturing environment for the kids at Barracudas.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can set you apart from other candidates. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Group Leader- February - Welwyn in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years: When you're writing your application, let your love for working with young children shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your enthusiasm and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We want to see how you can create a nurturing environment for our little ones.
Be Organised and Clear: Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use headings and bullet points where necessary to break up the text. This shows us that you can keep things tidy and organised, just like we expect in the camp environment!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your responses to the specific role of Early Years Group Leader. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the extra step to connect their background with what we’re looking for.
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. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen on joining our team at Barracudas!
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've implemented it in past roles and how you plan to facilitate children's development through engaging activities.
✨Showcase Your Activity Planning Skills
Prepare to share examples of structured, age-appropriate activities you've led. Think about how you can adapt these activities to meet individual needs, especially for children with additional requirements. This will show your ability to create a child-centred environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Supervision Techniques
Be ready to talk about your approach to active supervision. Highlight specific strategies you use to ensure children's safety and well-being, especially during breaks and transitions. This is crucial for the role, so make it a key part of your discussion.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
Remember, building positive relationships is at the heart of this role. Approach the interview as an opportunity to connect with the interviewers. Show enthusiasm, be personable, and demonstrate your commitment to creating a supportive environment for children.