At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and nurture a team while providing high-quality care for children aged four months to four years.
- Company: Join Acorn at Mulberry Bear, a vibrant nursery within the Open University Campus.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and a 65% childcare discount.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for career progression and personal development.
- Why this job: Develop your leadership skills and make a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in early years and practical experience in an early years setting.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
If you are offered an EYP role, you will receive a £500 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period. We are looking for a Lead Practitioner at our Mulberry Bear Nursery within the Open University Campus. Acorn at Mulberry Bear is a 62 place day nursery in Milton Keynes, which offers full and part‑time care for children aged four months to four years, and is open 7:30 am until 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. This is a full time position 40 hours per week.
The Early Years Lead Practitioner role is a steppingstone into more senior positions and will allow for leadership skills to be developed through direct and ongoing support from senior staff. Excellent leadership skills are crucial for senior positions and the Early Years Lead Practitioner role will help develop these essential competencies.
The Early Years Lead Practitioner is a role suited to those with a good amount of practical experience within an early years setting, who is beginning to demonstrate ability to lead, support and nurture others within a team and is an excellent role model to others, including apprentices, volunteers and students. The candidate should have at least a level 3 qualification in early years and taken on at least one additional role, such as an Acorn Mentor, Health and Safety Rep, Employee Forum Rep etc. The ideal candidate should have an eagerness to learn and develop their leadership skills with the support of senior staff and be keen to progress and develop their career with Acorn.
- To support a holistic approach to the curriculum
- To ensure basic care needs of individual children are met
- To ensure a high level of emotional well‑being among children
- To have a good understanding of Acorn’s ethos, values, policies and procedures and that they are reflected in daily practice
- To demonstrate Acorn’s ethos, values policies and procedures in your practice and be a good role model.
- A good working knowledge and practice of the EYFS, including the statutory guidance
- To have a sound knowledge of safeguarding procedures within Acorn and for external agencies
- To carry out tasks requested
- To lead the room in the absence of the Senior or Deputy manager within the room
- To work in partnership with the Senior or Deputy within the room to ensure smooth day to day running of your group.
- To support and nurture staff in your group, in particular apprentices, students and volunteers.
- To ensure the interactions with children are high quality and based on individual interests, need and/or stage of development
- To demonstrate a positive approach to children’s behaviour working in‑line with our policy and procedure
- To ensure there are professional, positive relationships demonstrated with parents/carers
- To safeguard all children in our care following procedures outlined in Acorn’s policy and external procedures
- To ensure the environment offers rich, first‑hand learning opportunities for all children which accommodates a holistic approach to the curriculum, providing awe, wonder and opportunities for children to think critically and independently
- To support in making sure resources and equipment are readily available, accessible and replenished both inside and outside
- To ensure children’s interests are being met and appropriate teaching methods are being used to extend children’s thinking and learning.
- To support all staff, working as part of a team, adapting your role as necessary, and taking on specific responsibilities as required, including supporting inexperienced staff.
- To begin to take lead on aspects of the role with the support of the Senior or Deputy within the room (e.g. mentoring, health and safety, etc)
- To continue to develop your leadership skills through direct support from the Senior or Deputy within the room.
- To be responsive and aware of the individual needs of children whilst maintaining a safe and stimulating environment and keeping high levels of supervision of the whole group.
- To ensure all children are making progress to their full potential
- To understand and implement planning in the moment
- To carry out observations regularly and ensure they are of high quality and in‑line with Acorn’s recommendations for planning in the moment
- To ensure all children are given the opportunity to be independent, physically challenged and able to take informed risks and are making progress to their full potential.
- To complete paperwork in relation to the child, for example care plans, all about me forms, medicine forms, accident forms, transition forms and two‑year progress check (where appropriate) etc
- To understand and implement the key person approach and be an effective key person
- To cascade any information or updates to the management and your staff team
- To keep abreast and adhere with changes in accordance to Acorn’s policies and procedures
- To keep abreast of changes to early years guidance and legislation
- Work in partnership with the senior/deputy of your room to understand the overall analysis of the assessment and understand how you are going to support progress moving forward
- To work in partnership with the senior/deputy of your room to understand the skills and progression needs of the staff in your team and the room.
- To have a good understanding of Acorn’s core values, ethos and policies and ensure these are reflected in practice
- A high‑quality provision to support children’s learning across the curriculum
- To value parents as partners
- For all children to be happy, confident, self‑assured and independent
- Effective communication with management, staff, children and parents/carers
- To role model outstanding practice and positive behaviour strategies to support individual children
- To be confident to talk to external agencies, including Ofsted
- To oversee the smooth running of the room in the absence of the Senior/Deputy
- To support and nurture the staff within your team.
- To continually strive to develop your leadership skills
At Acorn, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We value diverse perspectives and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. As an inclusive employer, we’re happy to consider any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. You must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and, due to the nature of our sector, all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Benefits:
- Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
- 65% Childcare discount - Pro rata according to contracted hours
- Generous family leave
- Christmas closure
- 25 days of annual leave, plus
Lead Practitioner employer: Escrick Preschool
Acorn at Mulberry Bear Nursery is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where leadership skills can flourish. Located within the Open University Campus in Milton Keynes, employees benefit from competitive pay scales, generous family leave, and a significant childcare discount, all while working in a nurturing environment that values inclusivity and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. 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 practising common questions and scenarios specific to the Early Years Lead Practitioner role. Think about how you can showcase your leadership skills and experience in nurturing others – that’s what they’re really looking for!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on places that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for opportunities at Acorn and make sure your application reflects your passion for early years education and leadership.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you a chance to reiterate why you’d be a great fit. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! We want to see how much you care about nurturing and supporting children’s development.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in early years settings. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've demonstrated leadership and supported others, so don’t hold back!
Know Our Values:Familiarise yourself with Acorn’s ethos and values. In your application, reflect how your personal beliefs align with ours, as this will show us you’re a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on that opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Escrick Preschool
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Acorn’s ethos, values, and policies. Familiarise yourself with the EYFS framework and safeguarding procedures. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've demonstrated leadership in previous roles, whether it's mentoring apprentices or leading a team. Think about specific situations where you supported others and how you can bring that experience to the Lead Practitioner position.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the nursery's approach to early years education and how they support staff development. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way. Be honest about your experiences and what you hope to achieve in this role. Let your passion for working with children and developing your leadership skills shine through during the interview.
