At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Flying Start provision, supporting children's development.
- Company: Join Blue Door, a nurturing environment making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, training opportunities, and great staff perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your career in childcare.
- Qualifications: CCLD Level 4 in Childcare required; leadership experience preferred.
- Other info: Term Time Contract with potential for additional holiday club hours.
Due to the expansion of our Flying Start provision, Blue Door is looking to recruit a passionate and qualified Flying Start Manager to join our dedicated and growing team, on a Term Time Contract. This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine difference in children's lives, working in a nurturing and supportive environment.
About the Role
As Flying Start Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of Flying Start within the setting. This includes leading and supporting practitioners, ensuring compliance with Flying Start standards, and working in close partnership with multi-agency professionals. The role is primarily focused on our 2-year-old provision, but you may also assist with school transfers for children aged 3–11 — either by supporting transfers in person or liaising with the team to ensure appropriate cover is in place. During school holidays, there may also be opportunities to pick up additional hours within our Holiday Club provision.
You will work closely with the wider team of professionals — including Health Visitors, Speech & Language Therapists, Advisory Teachers, Dietitians, Educational Psychologists, and the Parenting & Inclusion Teams — to deliver the very best outcomes for children and families.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Flying Start provision on a daily basis.
- Line-manage, support, and mentor Flying Start practitioners.
- Ensure compliance with Flying Start standards, CIW regulations, and audit requirements.
- Oversee planning, observations, and tailored learning for individual children.
- Liaise effectively with multi-agency partners to support holistic child development.
- Assist with school transfers for children aged 3–11, either personally or by liaising with team members to arrange cover.
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment.
- Drive continuous improvement in practice and provision.
Requirements
- Essential Requirements
- Minimum: CCLD Level 4 in Childcare Learning and Development (applications without this will not be considered)
- Desirable: Level 5 qualification or willingness to work towards it
- Proven experience supervising or managing staff within an early years or childcare setting
- Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills
- Good understanding of Flying Start, Foundation Phase, or equivalent early years frameworks
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and professional standards
Benefits
- Competitive hourly rate: £13.70 per hour
- 30–35 hours per week (to be confirmed)
- Term Time Only, plus optional paid holiday club hours
- Fully funded training and CPD opportunities
- Paid training in core areas (First Aid, Safeguarding, Behaviour Management, etc.)
- Supportive, flexible working environment
- Excellent staff perks and wellbeing programme, including:
- Childcare discount
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free/discounted meals
- Private medical and dental insurance
- Employee wellbeing support
- Referral bonuses
If this sounds like the perfect next step for you, we would love to hear from you. You can find our advert on Indeed later today and apply there.
Flying Start Manager in Cardiff employer: Blue Door
Contact Detail:
Blue Door Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Flying Start Manager in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Flying Start Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Blue Door and their Flying Start provision. Understand their values and how they support children's development. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed a team or improved a process. Be ready to share these stories during interviews to demonstrate your capability as a Flying Start Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our dedicated team at Blue Door.
We think you need these skills to ace Flying Start Manager in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with children shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences that highlight this.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Flying Start Manager role. Highlight your qualifications and experiences that align with the job description, especially your leadership skills and understanding of early years frameworks.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Door
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Flying Start framework and its standards. Brush up on your knowledge about child development, especially for 2-year-olds, as this will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or supported a team in the past. Highlight your leadership style and how you’ve motivated practitioners to achieve the best outcomes for children.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Collaboration
Be ready to discuss your experience working with various professionals like Health Visitors and Speech Therapists. Share specific instances where collaboration led to positive results for children and families.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Think of ways you’ve driven improvements in previous roles. Whether it’s through training, feedback, or innovative practices, showing that you’re proactive about enhancing the provision will impress the interviewers.