Room Leader in Barnstaple

Room Leaders are responsible to the Nursery Manager and, in their absence, to the Deputy Manager or the named individual as per the management structure of the nursery.

Requirements

• Pay - £14 per hour with a minimum of 35 hours per week
• Shifts: 7:30am - 6:30pm - 3 long days (with 60 min break) and one half day, or four long days
• Minimum Level 3 Childcare qualification required
• Previous Room Leader experience preferred but not essential

Job purpose

Room Leaders will support management with leadership of their team in the daily running of the nursery. They support operation of the nursery facilities and staff, ensuring high-quality education and care is always delivered, and are responsible for company adherence to Banana Moon policies and procedures. They consistently meet legislative requirements and follow the Early Learning and Development Programme, delivering standards which ensure the highest possible inspection grading. Room Leaders assist with the training, support, mentoring, role modelling and supervision of their staff team, inspiring and leading ambitious practice. They create a safe, caring and welcoming setting to which families are happy to entrust their child and where their child is encouraged and supported to flourish in an enabling and stimulating environment. They promote a successful business with a first-class reputation, engaging with the local community and marketing the nursery while providing excellent customer care. Room Leaders act as a named coordinator relevant to their skills or training as designated by the Nursery Manager.

Main duties

• Liaise with the Manager/Deputy to ensure operational policies and procedures implemented by Banana Moon Franchise are adhered to, ensuring relevant legislation is met.
• Maintain and promote the brand of Banana Moon Franchise.
• Be responsible for the management of the room, be a role model and inspire and support ambitious practice.
• Respond professionally to complaints (verbal/written), recording and reporting to management and assisting positively with any actions required.
• Assist with Franchise Support visits and inspections and support staff to action all recommendations within the agreed time scale.
• Ensure room ratios are in line with policy and rotas are adhered to, supervising staff breaks efficiently.
• Ensure daily room registers and records of children in attendance are accurate.
• Adhere to health and safety policies, completing risk assessments, hazard logs and documentation as set out in the Operational Plan.
• Participate in emergency and security procedures, such as emergency evacuation, door security and e-safety.
• Be alert to issues of safeguarding, ensuring that the welfare and safety of the children and adults is paramount, recording and reporting any concerns to the DSL.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in practice, ensuring relevant documentation is completed as required.
• Administer first aid and medication as appropriate and keep the Manager informed of any actions.
• Implement self-evaluation plans, supporting room practitioners in actions.
• Be involved in staff meetings, arranging agendas for room meetings which support continually evolving high standards of practice.
• Identify, via staff supervisions and staff/room observations, training requirements of Early Years Professionals and request appropriate training via the Manager.
• Monitor and record staff performance, discussing any concerns or achievements with the Manager, to ensure professional development plans are actively in place.
• Participate in the induction process for new practitioners and students, continuing a programme of mentoring and guidance to the probationary review.
• Delegate roles and tasks among the team to utilise individuals’ skills and knowledge and enhance professional development.
• Participate in the safer recruitment process, providing trial feedback on candidates.
• Cascade information to the team, ensuring all are updated on news and events.
• Oversee the observation, assessment and room planning, to ensure the provision of a stimulating environment with a balance of challenging and inspiring child/adult-led activities reflecting children’s individual needs and interests.
• Understand key children’s culture, level of development and identify next steps.
• To oversee the record-keeping system for children’s development and support staff in completing and maintaining these records on a regular basis with quality, meaningful observations and assessments and to involve families in the process of planning and sharing of children’s progress.
• Ensure that children’s developmental records are detailed and up to date, to collate information for accurate tracking purposes and informative monitoring.
• Oversee the settling-in of new children in a sensitive manner, ensuring all relevant documentation is completed, and liaising closely with families and staff to ensure home life and children’s interests are utilised for reassurance.

Customer service operations

• Actively promote services to entice prospective customers and ensure the retention of families.
• Participate in informative, professional and welcoming show-arounds to prospective customers.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive family information while adhering to child protection policy and procedures.
• Contribute to nursery communication with families via newsletters, open days/evenings, building and maintaining strong Key Person relationships.

The Room Leader will undertake such other duties as reasonably requested by the Manager, working in a flexible way on occasions when tasks arise that are not specifically covered in their job description.