At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support early childhood education, fostering growth and learning through play.
- Company: Join Early Years, a passionate organisation dedicated to young children's development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 36 days annual leave, pension scheme, and healthcare access.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives while enhancing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level III in Child Care and two years' experience with young children.
- Other info: Flexible working conditions and commitment to equal opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 25584 - 27269 £ per year.
Join Early Years, the organisation for young children, as Early Years Deputy Leader.
Location: Rainbow SureStart, Castlederg.
Hours: 35 hours per week, term time 45 weeks, Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Tenure: Permanent.
Salary: NJC Scale 4, Point 7-11 (£25,584-£27,269) per annum pro rata.
Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education? Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential? Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.
At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.
In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including:
- a competitive salary,
- 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays,
- a contributory pension scheme,
- options to purchase additional leave, and
- access to healthcare schemes.
The role: As Early Years Deputy Leader, you will ensure children attending the SureStart programmes have the best start in life by providing a safe, welcoming, high quality, inclusive early education environment, working to improve the ability to learn, improve health and social development of children, antenatal to four years of age.
The post holder will support and when required lead in a variety of service delivery within the SureStart project. You will work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as ‘first educators’.
The post holder will innovatively support and extend play experiences to ensure early outcomes are achieved.
Essential Criteria:
- NVQ Level III in Child Care Learning and Development and QCF Level 5 Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development (Management) OR currently undertaking a course of study that will lead to a level 5 qualification within two years from the date of appointment.
- BA (Hons) degree in Early Years or equivalent.
- Two years’ experience working with young children in a group-based setting (paid/voluntary experience is acceptable – student placements cannot be considered as part of the 2-year experience criteria).
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Tuesday 10 March 2026. For shortlisted applicants, it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Friday 20 March 2026.
Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.
Sector: Education
Career Level: Experienced [Non-Managerial]
Early Years Deputy Leader in Castlederg employer: Early Years - the organisation for young children
Contact Detail:
Early Years - the organisation for young children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Deputy Leader in Castlederg
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in early years education and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Be ready to discuss how your passion for early childhood education aligns with their mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to early years education. Think about scenarios where you've made an impact in your previous roles and be ready to share those stories. We want to hear about your experiences!
✨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 team at Early Years and making a real impact in children's lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Deputy Leader in Castlederg
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for early childhood education shine through. We want to see how you believe in the power of play and how it can unlock potential in young children.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Early Years Deputy Leader role. Highlight your relevant experience and qualifications, especially your NVQ Level III and any management training. We love seeing how your background fits with our mission!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Early Years - the organisation for young children
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the Early Years framework and the specific role of a Deputy Leader. Brush up on your knowledge about child development theories and how they apply to early education. This will show that you’re not just passionate but also well-informed.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with young children in detail. Think of specific examples where you’ve made a positive impact, whether through play-based learning or supporting parents. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Collaboration is key in early years education. Be ready to talk about how you’ve worked effectively within a team in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve supported colleagues or led initiatives that benefited the children and families.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the organisation’s approach to inclusive education or how they support professional development for staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.