Manager - Maintained Early Years Provision - Fixed Term in Bridgend, Wales

37 hours per week Term time Fixed term up to 31 March 2028.

Bridgend's Early Years and Childcare Team is seeking an exceptional and forward‑thinking leader to build on the existing strengths of our maintained early years provision at a pivotal time of growth, change, and renewed vision. As Manager for Maintained Early Years Provision, you will provide strategic leadership across our portfolio of early years settings, shaping innovative, inclusive provision that delivers the best outcomes for children and families. The role offers a unique opportunity to lead systems and structures, and to develop the curriculum, pedagogy and assessment approaches that underpin excellent early years practice.

About the role:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all maintained settings, ensuring alignment with our refreshed vision, local authority priorities and national expectations.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Framework for Early Childhood Play Learning and Care (ECPLC), ensuring a strong, coherent approach to curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
• Support setting leaders to embed reflective, evidence-informed and developmentally appropriate practice anchored in the three enablers.
• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing senior team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive consistency and excellence across all settings while respecting the unique context of each.
• Ensure practice is inclusive by design, enabling children – including those with additional learning needs – to thrive.
• Use data, observation and professional dialogue to support intentional leadership that results in improved outcomes for children.
• Ensure effective governance, compliance and sustainability across the maintained portfolio.

About you:

• Substantial experience of leading early years provision, with a strong understanding of curriculum and pedagogy.
• Demonstrable expertise in curriculum development, pedagogy and assessment in the early years, ideally linked to ECPLC or similar frameworks.
• Ability to translate vision into practice, supporting others to deliver meaningful and sustained improvement.
• Strong track record of developing the practice of others and building professional capacity.
• Innovative mindset with the ability to respond creatively to challenge and change.
• Leads with intentionality, using evidence and insight to inform decision‑making.
• Builds strong relationships and can influence across a complex partnership landscape.

Additional requirements:

• Valid driving licence and use of a car during working hours is a requirement of appointment.
• The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.
• Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.
• Enhanced with Childrens Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post.

Closing date: 01 July 2026