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- Tasks: Lead a team to create fun and engaging learning experiences for young children.
- Company: Join the Outstanding-rated West Street Nursery, part of the supportive Early Years Alliance.
- Benefits: Enjoy 100% childcare discount, extensive training, generous leave, and mental health support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career progression and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in early education.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience in early education required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Lead Early Years Educator to join our team at West Street Nursery in Bexley. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What We Offer
- 100% discount on childcare and early education places (applicable to staff working in our early years settings)
- Extensive training and career progression planning, including access to our Learning Management System (LMS)
- The Alliance has invested in FAMLY reducing paperwork and giving you more time to focus on the children.
- A generous workplace pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with additional annual leave for long service.
- Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
- Enhanced sickness pay and paid bereavement leave
- A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
- Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
- Savings of up to 25% on O2 Refresh Airtime Plan on any new phone or tablets
- A dedicated mental health First aider to support your mental well being
Job Purpose
- Lead a team enabling them to provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for children.
- Be a role model for the wider staff team, modelling sensitive and responsive interaction and extending children’s learning.
- Be a proactive member of the team, providing a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment.
- Support the nursery management team to deliver high-quality care and education in line with the setting’s policies and procedures.
- Be responsible for curriculum planning within the setting.
- Oversee the setting in the absence of the Assistant Manager and Manager.
Requirements
- A minimum Level 3 Early Years Education and Childcare qualification or equivalent.
- Post-qualification experience in working in early education and childcare.
- A sound understanding of child development and children’s needs with an ability to plan and implement the curriculum in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage, taking into account the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice, safeguarding procedures and equality and diversity considerations.
- You will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check if your current certificate is not subscribed to the update service.
Hours per week: 40
Weeks per year: 52
Interview date: Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Lead Early Years Educator employer: Nursery World
Contact Detail:
Nursery World Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Early Years Educator
✨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 opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the nursery and think about how your experience aligns with their values and needs. Practise common interview questions, especially around child development and curriculum planning.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've created engaging learning experiences for children. Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our fantastic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Early Years Educator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in children's lives and how you can inspire others in our team.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Early Years Educator role. Highlight your relevant qualifications, experience, and skills that align with what we’re looking for. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward 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 the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our values and what we offer.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nursery World
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and any recent changes in early years education. Being able to discuss how you would implement this in your role will show that you're not just qualified, but also passionate about providing quality education.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Early Years Educator, you'll be expected to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or supported a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you modelled best practices or helped colleagues improve their skills.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don't just answer questions; engage in a conversation! Ask thoughtful questions about the nursery's approach to child development and how they support their staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
While professionalism is key, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. The nursery is looking for someone who can connect with children and families, so being authentic will help them see how you’d fit into their team culture.