At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire educational practice for young children in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Little Elms Daycare, a vibrant nursery focused on high-quality early years education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to creating inspiring learning experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Early Years and strong leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 36000 £ per year.
At Little Elms, Educational Leads bridge curriculum leadership and nursery leadership. They play a vital role in ensuring consistency, supporting staff development and delivering exceptional educational experiences for children across each age phase of the nursery. This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the quality of education, curriculum implementation and practice standards across all rooms within a designated year group (e.g., Babies, Toddlers or Preschool). Educational leads work closely with Room Managers and educators to drive high-quality practice, support staff development and ensure consistency across the age group. They act as curriculum champions, role models and mentors, helping teams deliver inspiring learning experiences in line with the EYFS and the Little Elms Curriculum. As members of the nursery Leadership Team, Educational Leads work in partnership with the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager to support the overall quality, culture and success of the nursery.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Quality of Education: Lead and oversee educational practice across all rooms within the designated age group. Ensure the Little Elms Curriculum is implemented consistently, effectively and with clear intent. Drive high-quality teaching, learning and assessment practices in line with the EYFS and Little Elms values. Support teams to create ambitious, engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Monitor the quality of interactions, teaching strategies and children’s experiences across the year group. Ensure children’s individual needs, interests and next steps are effectively planned for and supported. Promote inclusive practice and support strong outcomes for all children. Champion the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning throughout practice.
- Coaching, Mentoring & Staff Development: Act as the lead mentor and coach for Room Managers within the designated age group. Support Room Managers with curriculum planning, practice development and team leadership. Carry out regular learning walks, practice observations and quality reviews. Provide constructive feedback, coaching and modelling of best practice. Support teams to continuously improve through reflective practice and professional discussions. Identify training and development needs and support ongoing professional growth. Support the induction and onboarding of new staff within the age group. Promote a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
- Curriculum & Learning Environments: Ensure learning environments are inspiring, language-rich, inclusive and developmentally appropriate. Monitor planning and assessment systems to ensure consistency and quality across the age phase. Support teams to deliver experiences that promote communication and language, wellbeing, creativity, physical development and critical thinking. Ensure continuous provision reflects children’s interests, developmental needs and curriculum goals. Champion meaningful outdoor learning opportunities and child-led experiences.
- Safeguarding, Welfare & Compliance: Ensure safeguarding and child welfare responsibilities are consistently understood and implemented across all rooms. Promote nurturing, safe and emotionally secure environments for children. Support teams to maintain compliance with EYFS requirements, nursery policies and Little Elms procedures. Work alongside Room Managers to maintain high standards of organisation, hygiene and safety.
- Leadership Team Responsibilities: Be an active member of the nursery Leadership Team alongside the Manager and Deputy Manager. Contribute to nursery self-evaluation, quality improvement and action planning. Attend leadership meetings and contribute to strategic discussions regarding quality, staffing and nursery development. Support the nursery during inspections, audits and quality assurance visits. Promote consistency of practice, expectations and standards across the nursery.
- Parent Partnerships: Support teams in building strong and professional partnerships with parents and carers. Assist with parent meetings, discussions and concerns where needed. Promote high levels of customer service and positive parent experiences throughout the nursery.
Person Specification
Essential: Full and relevant Level 3 qualification in Early Years. Strong knowledge of the EYFS and child development. Experience working in an Early Years leadership role. Strong coaching, mentoring and leadership skills. Ability to inspire and support teams to improve practice. Excellent communication and organisational skills. Strong understanding of safeguarding and child welfare requirements.
Desirable: Level 5 qualification or above in Early Years or Leadership. Experience overseeing multiple rooms or teams. Experience supporting inspections, audits or quality improvement initiatives. Paediatric First Aid qualification.
Key Attributes: Passionate about high-quality Early Years education. Warm, approachable and supportive leader. Strong role model for professionalism and practice. Reflective and committed to continuous improvement. Organised, proactive and solution-focused. Able to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
Senior EYFS Curriculum & Education Lead in London employer: Little Elms Daycare Nursery & Pre-Schools
At Little Elms Daycare Beckenham, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and development of our staff. Our collaborative work culture fosters a supportive environment where Educational Leads can thrive, with ample opportunities for professional development and mentorship. Located in the heart of Beckenham, we offer a competitive salary and a commitment to delivering high-quality educational experiences, making us an ideal choice for those passionate about Early Years education.
Contact Details:
Little Elms Daycare Nursery & Pre-Schools Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior EYFS Curriculum & Education Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years education sector. Attend local events or workshops, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Little Elms and their curriculum. Familiarise yourself with their values and practices so you can show how you align with their mission. Practice common interview questions and think of examples that highlight your leadership and mentoring skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for early years education! During interviews, share your experiences and what drives you to inspire others. Talk about how you’ve supported staff development and improved educational practices 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 genuinely interested in joining the Little Elms team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior EYFS Curriculum & Education Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior EYFS Curriculum & Education Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in early years education and leadership, and show how you align with our values at Little Elms.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for high-quality Early Years education shine through in your application. Share specific examples of how you've inspired teams or improved educational practices in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you can ensure that all your details are captured correctly and we can process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Little Elms Daycare Nursery & Pre-Schools
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement it in practice and share examples of how you've done this in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Educational Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Think of specific instances where you've successfully led a team or mentored staff. Be ready to explain your approach to coaching and supporting Room Managers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as improving educational practices or addressing staff development needs. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Engage with the Nursery's Values
Familiarise yourself with Little Elms' values and culture. During the interview, express how your personal philosophy aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to creating a positive, collaborative environment for both staff and children.
