Baby Room Leader in Aylesbury

Hoppers of Dinton, a boutique nursery based in Dinton, is seeking a Qualified Baby Room Leader to play a key role in creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow. You’ll be responsible for supporting children’s development, managing daily activities, and meeting each child’s individual needs with care and attention.

We are independent and proud of it - we don’t do things the corporate nursery way (apart from all the important legal bits, of course). If you have been there, done that with the bigger companies and are looking for a role where you can really make a difference and have more say, then this is the place for you. We want our team to feel like family and we’re all about keeping long‑term staff who can grow alongside the children we care for. Big enough to serve, but small enough to care!

Hours: 36–45 hours per week across 4 or 5 days. Shifts between 7:30 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday.

Contract: Year‑round, permanent.

Reporting to: Manager / Business Owner.

Responsibilities:

• Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children under 2, ensuring their well‑being and development.
• Plan and implement engaging educational activities that promote early childhood learning.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards, including holding a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Communicate effectively with parents and caregivers regarding children’s progress and needs.
• Handle concerns professionally and elevate when needed.
• Lead parent meetings or progress reviews where appropriate.
• Maintain children’s records, development files, and planning documentation.
• Manage room resources, equipment, and stock levels.
• Ensure the room is clean, safe, and well‑organised daily.
• Contribute to policies, audits, and inspections preparation.
• Assist with rotas if required.

Supporting the Manager / Business Owner:

• Act as second‑in‑charge on the floor when the manager is absent.
• Support with staffing decisions, cover, and day‑to‑day problem‑solving.
• Help implement nursery policies and changes.
• Assist with inspection readiness (documentation, practice standards).
• Provide feedback on staff performance and room improvements.

Be flexible: You may step into multiple roles during the day. Help across rooms if ratios require it. Maintain high standards.

The Ideal Candidate Will...

• Genuinely enjoy working with children and want to make a real difference in their early education.
• Be a team player who’s committed, reliable, and ready to become part of our close‑knit family.
• Be full of energy, creativity, and fun.
• Make every child feel special and valued.

Be prepared to:

• Sing songs.
• Read the same story again (and again!).
• Eat an imaginary ice‑cream at the park.
• Fly to the moon, find the Gruffalo, or enjoy pretend tea parties.
• Sprinkle a little magic every day!

Essential requirements:

• Hold a Level 3 Early Years Qualification or above.
• Have at least 2 years of experience working with children under 2.
• A good standard of education, with GCSE English and Maths at grade 5/C or above (or an equivalent qualification – Level 2 Functional Skills).

Benefits:

• 6 weeks of annual leave.
• Extra day off on your birthday.
• Additional leave for long service (after 2 years, T&Cs apply).
• Complimentary lunch.
• Company pension.
• Free parking / On‑site parking.
• Childcare discount.
• Team building and company events.
• Long service awards.
• Introduce‑a‑colleague scheme (bonuses from £250–£500).
• Opportunities for professional growth.
• Internal & external training.
• Ongoing CPD with no set training budget.

Note: This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A DBS check and suitability checks (by Ofsted and Hoppers of Dinton) will be required.