PRESCHOOL LEAD / THIRD IN CHARGE – LEICESTER, LEICESTERSHIRE
Location: Leicester, Leicestershire
Salary: To be confirmed
Position: Preschool Lead / Third in Charge (TIC) / Senior Early Years Practitioner
Working Hours: 8:30am–3:00pm
Working Pattern: Term Time Only (TTO)
Qualification: Relevant Early Years qualification; exact requirements to be confirmed
Early Years Academy is recruiting a confident, enthusiastic and dedicated Preschool Lead / Third in Charge for an Early Years setting in Leicester.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – PRESCHOOL LEAD
- Leading and supporting the effective day-to-day operation of the preschool room.
- Providing high-quality care and early education for preschool-aged children.
- Planning and overseeing engaging, creative and age-appropriate learning experiences.
- Ensuring teaching and learning reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
- Supporting children’s communication, language, literacy, mathematics and personal development.
- Encouraging children’s independence, confidence, curiosity and readiness for school.
- Monitoring children’s observations, assessments and developmental progress.
- Supporting practitioners with curriculum planning and learning activities.
- Creating a safe, welcoming, stimulating and inclusive preschool environment.
- Building strong relationships with parents and carers.
- Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Promoting positive behaviour, emotional wellbeing and children’s social development.
- Ensuring safeguarding, child protection and nursery policies are consistently followed.
- Supporting the effective deployment of preschool staff and maintaining appropriate ratios.
- Encouraging teamwork, professional development and high standards of childcare practice.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES – THIRD IN CHARGE
- Supporting the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager with day-to-day nursery operations.
- Providing leadership and guidance to nursery practitioners.
- Supporting staff mentoring, induction, supervision and professional development.
- Assisting with nursery administration and operational responsibilities.
- Helping maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and regulatory compliance.
- Supporting effective communication between management, staff and families.
- Assisting with nursery improvement planning and preparation for Ofsted inspections.
- Supporting the management team with staff deployment and daily operational challenges.
- Acting as a positive role model and promoting a supportive team culture.
- Taking on delegated leadership responsibilities when senior management colleagues are unavailable.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- A recognised qualification in Childcare or Early Years appropriate to the role.
- Previous experience working within a nursery, preschool or Early Years setting.
- Experience in a senior childcare position, such as Preschool Lead, Room Leader, Third in Charge or Senior Nursery Practitioner.
- Strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
- A good understanding of safeguarding, child protection and safer working practices.
- Experience supporting or mentoring nursery colleagues.
- Confidence planning and delivering engaging preschool learning experiences.
- Strong communication, organisation and leadership skills.
- Knowledge of observations, assessments and children’s developmental progress.
- An understanding of inclusive practice and supporting children with SEND.
- The ability to build positive relationships with parents, carers and colleagues.
- A genuine passion for supporting children’s learning, development and school readiness.
- A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above would be particularly suitable for this leadership position, subject to the employer’s final requirements.
Previous experience supporting nursery management or preparing a setting for Ofsted inspection would be advantageous.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Confident, professional and approachable.
- Passionate about children’s learning and development.
- An enthusiastic and supportive leader.
- Creative when planning preschool activities.
- Organised, reliable and committed.
- Calm and confident when managing challenging situations.
- An excellent communicator with children, staff and families.
- Able to motivate, mentor and support nursery colleagues.
- Proactive in identifying opportunities to improve preschool practice.
- Committed to safeguarding and maintaining high standards.
- Dedicated to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Motivated to continue developing their Early Years leadership career.
SALARY AND WORKING HOURS
- Working hours: 8:30am–3:00pm.
- Term-time-only working pattern.
- Salary to be confirmed with the employer.
- Opportunity to lead preschool learning and support nursery management.
- Opportunity to develop leadership and management experience.
- Opportunity to mentor and support Early Years practitioners.
- Opportunity to contribute to high-quality preschool education.
- Scope to discuss continued professional development and future career progression.
- The number of working days per week, term dates, break arrangements, holiday entitlement and contract details will be confirmed during the recruitment process.
WHY CHOOSE A TERM-TIME PRESCHOOL LEAD POSITION?
A term-time Preschool Lead position offers the opportunity to combine a rewarding Early Years leadership career with a working pattern that follows the setting’s term dates.
For experienced childcare professionals who are looking for greater flexibility, term-time positions can be particularly appealing.
With working hours of 8:30am–3:00pm, this opportunity may suit candidates who prefer a shorter daytime working schedule.
As Preschool Lead / Third in Charge, you will continue to play an important role in supporting children’s development, leading nursery colleagues and maintaining high standards of early education.
This position offers the opportunity to use your experience and leadership skills while working within a term-time operating schedule.
WHY BECOME A PRESCHOOL LEAD OR THIRD IN CHARGE?
Working as a Preschool Lead or Third in Charge is a rewarding opportunity to combine your passion for Early Years education with your leadership and organisational skills.
You will help children develop the confidence, independence, communication and social skills they need as they prepare for the next stage of their education.
You will also support nursery practitioners in developing their skills, encourage positive relationships with families and help create an environment where both children and staff can thrive.
For experienced Room Leaders and Senior Practitioners, this position offers an opportunity to develop additional leadership experience and contribute to the overall success of an Early Years setting.
SAFEGUARDING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Early Years Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Appointment will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, right-to-work verification and confirmation of relevant qualifications.
We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process.
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