At a Glance
- Tasks: Support nursery leadership while delivering exceptional care and education.
- Company: Join Fennies, a family-run nursery with a strong community spirit.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Enjoy career development opportunities and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Step into leadership and make a meaningful impact on children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 2 or 3 Early Years qualification and experience in early years settings.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 34000 € per year.
Location: Salary: up to £34,000. Potential to earn a further £1,600 in bonus.
Take the next step in your early years career and grow into nursery leadership. At Fennies, our Third in Charge plays a key role in supporting the leadership of the nursery while continuing to deliver exceptional care and education within their room. You’ll work closely with the management team, helping to maintain high standards across the setting while developing your own leadership skills. If you’re ready to step beyond a Room Leader role and build your future, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Why join Fennies?
- Competitive salary and bonus
- Up to £33,000 annual salary
- Up to £1,600 performance-related bonus
- Comprehensive pension scheme
- £500 referral bonus
Career Development
- Targeted professional development programmes
- Mentoring and support
- Talent mapping to support your progression to Deputy or Manager roles
Wellbeing and Lifestyle benefits
- 20 days annual leave, increasing by 1 per year of service (up to 25) plus bank holidays
- BUPA Wellbeing Support
- Free daily meals from the Fennies Café
- A community of committed, high-achieving educators
- Regular leadership forums and networking
- Summer BBQs, Christmas events and company celebrations
- Recognition and reward through the Fennies Club long service awards
About the Role
As Third in Charge, you’ll support the leadership team while continuing to lead high-quality practice within your room.
You will:
- Support the day-to-day running of the nursery alongside the management team
- Lead your room, ensuring high-quality care and education
- Step up in the absence of senior leaders to support operational responsibilities
- Build strong partnerships with families and maintain open communication
- Support and mentor team members to develop their practice
- Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and compliance
This role offers a clear pathway into leadership, giving you exposure to both room-based and nursery-wide responsibilities.
What we’re looking for
You’re a confident and caring early years professional who is ready to take your next step into leadership.
You will have:
- Level 2 or 3 Early Years qualification (or above)
- Strong knowledge of EYFS, Birth to 5 Matters and child development
- Experience of working in an early years setting, ideally as a senior practitioner or room leader
- A track record of delivering high standards of care and education
- Experience of strong practice as a Key Person and in implementing safeguarding, health and safety, first aid and critical care policies
- Strong organisational, communication and teamwork skills
- GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4 /C or above); or equivalent
Most importantly, you will bring ambition, initiative and a passion for developing both children and your team.
Become part of the Fennies DNA
We’re family-owned and family-run; this guides our culture, our decision-making, and what it feels like to be part of our team. We have a strong sense of community, with connections that bring us together and the systems and processes that mean our educators can focus on what they do best. Quality matters to us – starting with our people and curriculum - through to our beautiful buildings and inspiring environments. We’re investing in Fennies, in our teams, and into the education we provide our children. Our People Promise inspires us to build the kind of culture that is ambitious, passionate and supportive.
If this sounds like you, or you just want to know more about what it means to be part of the Fennies family, make contact with us today for a chat.
Take your next steps with Fennies
Our friendly Talent Recruitment team are here to answer any questions you may have about Fennies – call us to discuss the role, or if you’re just curious about what it’s like to work at Fennies, let us know and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.
Diversity and Inclusion
At Fennies, we celebrate diversity and believe inclusive teams create stronger learning environments for children. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.
Safeguarding
Fennies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide proof of identity. In line with Safer Recruitment guidance, online searches (including social media) may be conducted for shortlisted candidates.
Third in Charge in Purley employer: Fennies Day Nurseries
Fennies is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its early years professionals. With a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and a strong focus on career progression through targeted professional development and mentoring, Fennies fosters a supportive and community-driven work culture. Employees enjoy a range of wellbeing benefits, including generous annual leave, free meals, and regular team celebrations, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in nursery leadership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Third in Charge in Purley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a Third in Charge role. 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 those interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and early years education. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for early years education during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children’s learning and development, and how you plan to bring that same energy to Fennies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people at Fennies. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our community.
We think you need these skills to ace Third in Charge in Purley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for nurturing children and developing your team, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Third in Charge role. Mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your leadership skills and commitment to high-quality care.
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 Fennies.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of the Fennies family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fennies Day Nurseries
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and child development. Familiarise yourself with key policies like safeguarding and health and safety, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Potential
Prepare examples of how you've led a team or supported colleagues in your previous roles. Think about times when you've stepped up in challenging situations, as this will demonstrate your readiness for the Third in Charge position.
✨Communicate Openly
Practice how you'll communicate your ideas and experiences clearly. Since building strong partnerships with families is crucial, be ready to discuss how you would maintain open communication with parents and guardians.
✨Emphasise Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through. Share your vision for creating a nurturing environment and how you plan to support both children and your team in their development.
