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- Tasks: Lead a nurturing early years room and inspire your team to deliver outstanding care.
- Company: Join a friendly, supportive nursery that values collaboration and creativity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid leave, funded training, and clear progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through play-based learning every day.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience in an early years setting.
- Other info: Enjoy a calm atmosphere with strong emphasis on outdoor exploration and meaningful relationships.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Lead a nurturing early years pre-school room and inspire a team to deliver outstanding care and play-based learning every day.
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent, Monday–Friday
Salary: £28,000 to £36,000 per year (dependent on experience) + benefits
Pay & Benefits:
- Paid annual leave plus bank holidays
- Funded training, qualifications and ongoing CPD to support your development
- Clear progression opportunities into senior early years leadership
- Supportive induction and ongoing mentorship from an experienced leadership team
- Opportunities to develop your leadership style through coaching and reflective practice
- Employee discounts and recognition initiatives
- Outdoor learning opportunities and engaging play spaces
- High-quality training in approaches such as Reggio Emilia (provided if not already trained)
Working Hours & Shift Pattern: This is a full-time position with shifts worked across the setting’s opening hours, Monday to Friday. Your rota will be shared in advance and designed to support a healthy work-life balance. Breaks are provided during each shift, and there may be occasional flexibility required to support key operational needs.
Job Description: We are looking for a confident, caring Room Leader (Practice Leader) to guide a welcoming early years room in a warm and inspiring 50-place nursery/pre-school. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll support children aged 6 months to 5 years through rich, play-based learning experiences, including plenty of outdoor exploration. You’ll lead by example, bring creativity to the curriculum, and help your team deliver outstanding outcomes through nurturing care, strong routines and meaningful learning opportunities. This role suits an experienced Early Years Educator who enjoys mentoring others, values reflective practice, and thrives in an environment where curiosity, nature and child-led learning are celebrated.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, support and inspire your room team to deliver consistently high-quality care and learning
- Plan and implement engaging, age-appropriate activities aligned with the EYFS framework
- Build strong relationships with children, parents and carers through clear, warm communication
- Carry out key person responsibilities, including observations, assessments and learning journeys
- Ensure safeguarding, health & safety, and daily compliance standards are followed at all times
- Support smooth daily routines including mealtimes, hygiene care, sleep routines and transitions
- Encourage outdoor learning and enriching experiences that support all areas of development
Requirements:
- Level 3 (or above) Early Years qualification (or equivalent childcare qualification) such as CACHE / EYE / NVQ
- Right to work within the UK (no sponsorship required)
- Enhanced DBS required
- Previous experience within an early years setting such as nursery, pre-school or day nursery
- Room leadership experience is welcomed, however strong practitioners ready to step up are encouraged to apply
- Sound knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding procedures and best practice in early childhood development
- Comfortable completing observations, documentation and reflective practice to support outcomes
- Interest in approaches such as Reggio Emilia is a bonus (training can be provided)
Company Culture: As a Room Leader (Practice Leader), you’ll be joining a friendly, supportive team where collaboration is valued and every day is shaped by children’s curiosity and joy. Leadership is approachable and invested in helping staff thrive, with a strong focus on learning, development and progression. The setting promotes a calm, nurturing atmosphere with a real emphasis on creativity, outdoor exploration and meaningful relationships. Staff are encouraged to share ideas, reflect on practice, and grow their skills in a culture that feels welcoming, purposeful and people-centred.
Why This Role Appeals:
- A leadership opportunity where you can remain hands-on and make a real difference every day
- A supportive team environment with approachable leadership and clear progression pathways
- Creative, child-led learning with strong outdoor and exploratory play opportunities
- Excellent training and development, including funded CPD and leadership support
Apply Today: If you’re ready to take the next step in your Early Years career and lead a room where children feel safe, inspired and confident to explore, we’d love to hear from you. Your experience, ideas and leadership will be genuinely valued, and you’ll be supported to grow and progress in a warm, encouraging environment. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early interest is warmly encouraged.
Early Years Room Leader (Practice Leader) in Horsham employer: Karson Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Karson Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Room Leader (Practice Leader) in Horsham
✨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 Room Leader role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opening or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your hands dirty! Volunteer or shadow at local nurseries or pre-schools to gain experience and show your commitment to the field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential employers and showcase your skills in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for interviews! Brush up on your knowledge of the EYFS framework and be prepared to discuss how you would lead a team in delivering high-quality care and learning. Practice common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to make a difference in early years education. Make sure to highlight your leadership experience and any creative ideas you have for play-based learning.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Room Leader (Practice Leader) in Horsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in early years education. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Room Leader, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! Share specific examples of how you've inspired children or led a team in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about nurturing young minds.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised as we review applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at Karson Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve implemented it in your previous roles and share specific examples of activities you’ve planned that align with its principles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Room Leader, your ability to inspire and support your team is crucial. Think about your leadership style and be ready to share how you’ve motivated others in the past. Highlight any mentoring experiences and how you’ve fostered a collaborative environment.
✨Emphasise Outdoor Learning
Given the focus on outdoor exploration, come armed with ideas for engaging outdoor activities. Discuss how you’ve previously integrated nature into learning experiences and how you plan to encourage children’s curiosity through outdoor play.
✨Build Relationships with Parents and Carers
Strong communication is key in this role. Prepare to talk about how you’ve built relationships with parents and carers in the past. Share examples of how you’ve kept them informed about their child’s progress and involved them in the learning process.
