At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a room at our Pre-School Centre, ensuring high-quality care and learning for children.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at Lancaster University's Pre-School Centre.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive community, and a healthy work-life balance.
- Other info: Enjoy excellent facilities and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 childcare qualification and 2 years of supervisory experience required.
The predicted salary is between 26707 - 30378 £ per year.
Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £26,707 to £30,378 (Full time, indefinite)
Closing Date: Sunday 14 June 2026
Interview Date: Tuesday 23 June 2026
Join our amazing Pre‑School Centre team, children, and families at Lancaster University. If you are passionate about giving children the very best start in life, have experience as an Early Years professional and can lead, motivate and develop a team, this may be the job for you.
About the role
In this role you will lead a room at our Pre‑School Centre, responsible for high‑quality care and learning for children aged 3 months to 5 years across around 200 children. The position is full‑time, 36.5 hours per week, with the centre open 50 weeks per year.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead and manage the day‑to‑day operation of a room, ensuring high standards of care, learning and safeguarding.
- Provide line management, supervision, coaching and mentoring to Early Years practitioners, students and apprentices.
- Act as a role model for best practice, supporting staff to deliver high‑quality teaching and learning in line with EYFS and centre policies.
- Plan, implement and evaluate a curriculum that meets the individual needs of all children.
- Monitor children’s progress, ensuring accurate observations and assessments.
- Maintain a safe, inclusive, stimulating learning environment, embedding safeguarding, health and safety and welfare standards.
- Work with the senior team to support continuous improvement, self‑evaluation and development plans.
- Build strong partnerships with families and act as a senior point of contact for your room.
- Support the operational running of the centre, including staff deployment, ratio management and daily room organisation.
About you
- Full Level 3 (or above) childcare qualification.
- Minimum 2 years post‑qualification experience in an Early Years setting, with demonstrated supervisory experience.
- Confident in leading practice, making professional judgments and supporting quality improvement.
- Knowledgeable about the statutory framework, safeguarding responsibilities, and inclusive practice.
- Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and customer‑service skills.
- Organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities in a busy childcare environment.
- Committed to continuous professional development for yourself and your team.
- A positive, flexible team player who leads by example.
What we offer
- Exceptional team and a positive impact on children’s lives.
- Excellent facilities and a beautiful campus location.
- Supportive community and opportunities to connect.
- Healthy work‑life balance and commitment to staff wellbeing.
Equal opportunities
The University welcomes applicants from all sections of the community and is committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity. All advertised roles are UK based.
Early Years Room Leader - 0126-26-R employer: Lancaster University
At Lancaster University, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our Early Years Room Leaders. With a focus on professional development, our team enjoys access to excellent facilities on a beautiful campus, a healthy work-life balance, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's lives. Join us in fostering a nurturing community where your leadership can thrive and contribute to the growth of both children and staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Room Leader - 0126-26-R
✨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 those interviews! Research the Pre-School Centre and think about how your experience aligns with their values. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your leadership skills and passion for early years education.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your personality! When you meet potential employers, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. Share stories that highlight your experience and how you've made a positive impact in previous roles.
✨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 amazing team at Lancaster University.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Room Leader - 0126-26-R
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Early Years Room Leader role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your leadership and childcare qualifications.
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through in your application. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children's lives and how you plan to continue doing so at our Pre-School Centre.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, making it easy for us to see why you're a great fit for the role without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures we receive all the necessary information and helps us process your application more efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancaster University
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and the specific needs of children aged 3 months to 5 years. Brush up on your knowledge about safeguarding responsibilities and inclusive practices, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in an Early Years setting. Think about times when you’ve motivated staff, provided coaching, or implemented quality improvements. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing day-to-day operations and how you ensure high standards of care and learning.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a conversation! Ask thoughtful questions about the Pre-School Centre’s values, team dynamics, and how they support continuous improvement. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As an Early Years Room Leader, strong communication is key. Prepare to discuss how you build partnerships with families and communicate effectively with your team. You might even want to share a story that highlights your interpersonal skills and customer service experience.
