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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide creative learning opportunities for children in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join Early Years Alliance, a respected educational charity with over 60 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 100% childcare discount, extensive training, generous leave, and mental health support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: Must have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience in early education.
- Other info: This role requires an enhanced DBS check for safeguarding purposes.
About The Role
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Lead Early Years Educator to join our team at West Street Nurseryin Bexley. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
We are looking for a skilled lead early years educator, who will be a role model and enable the team to deliver high quality inclusive early years education and care.
What we offer:
We are proud to be part of the Early Years Alliance family of early years settings. Founded over 60 years ago, the Alliance is an educational charity dedicated to supporting the delivery of quality early years education and care to children and families.
The Alliance prides itself on being a supportive workplace and offers significant benefits for our team members including:
- 100% discount on childcare and early education places (applicable to staff working in our early years settings)
- Extensive training and career progression planning, including access to our Learning Management System (LMS)
- The Alliance has invested in FAMLY reducing paperwork and giving you more time to focus on the children.
- A generous workplace pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with additional annual leave for long service.
- Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
- Enhanced sickness pay and paid bereavement leave
- A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
- Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
- Savings of up to 25% on O2 Refresh Airtime Plan on any new phone or tablets
- A dedicated mental health First aider to support your mental well being
Job purpose:
As the Lead Early Years Educator, you will:
- lead a team enabling them to provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for children.
- be a role model for the wider staff team, modelling sensitive and responsive interaction and extending children\’s learning
- be a proactive member of the team, providing a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment
- support the nursery management team to deliver high-quality care and education in line with the setting\’s policies and procedures.
- be responsible for curriculum planning within the setting
- oversee the setting in the absence of the Assistant Manager and Manager.
Requirements:
Successful applicants for the Lead Early Years Educator position will need:
- a minimum Level 3 Early Years Education and Childcare qualification or equivalent.
- post-qualification experience in working in early education and childcare
- a sound understanding of child development and children\’s needs with an ability to plan and implement the curriculum in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage, taking into account the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice, safeguarding procedures and equality and diversity considerations
Also, you will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check if your current certificate is not subscribed to the update service.
For the full list of duties and the requirements, please download the job description and person specification which accompanies this advert.
Hours per week: 40
Weeks per year: 52
Interview date: Thursday 21st August 2025
Contact Detail:
Early Years Alliance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Early Years Educator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Understanding its principles and how they apply to curriculum planning will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully led a team in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you modelled best practices in early years education.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Storkway Nursery and the Early Years Alliance. Knowing their values, mission, and recent achievements can help you tailor your conversation and show genuine interest in joining their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of the Early Years Alliance. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your interview preparation.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Early Years Educator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Lead Early Years Educator position. Understand the key responsibilities and requirements, such as the need for a Level 3 qualification and experience in early education.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role. Emphasise your qualifications, any leadership roles you've held, and specific examples of how you've contributed to children's learning and development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for early years education. Mention why you want to work at Early Years Alliance and how your values align with their mission. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in an educational setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Early Years Alliance
✨Show Your Passion for Early Years Education
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for early years education during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've engaged children in learning and how you plan to create a stimulating environment at Storkway Nursery.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Lead Early Years Educator, you'll be expected to lead a team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed or mentored others in previous roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the EYFS Framework
Brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and be ready to discuss how you would implement it in your curriculum planning. Highlight your understanding of child development and how it informs your teaching practices.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Have thoughtful questions ready about the nursery's approach to inclusive education and how they support staff development. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
