At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nurturing early years room and inspire your team to deliver outstanding care.
- Company: Join a friendly, supportive nursery in Horsham focused on creativity and outdoor learning.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid leave, funded training, and clear progression opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative culture with mentorship and a focus on reflective practice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience in an early years setting.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 36000 £ 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 in Horsham, West Sussex (RH12). 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 Room Leader 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
Lead Early Years Room Leader — Hands-On, Outdoor Learning in Horsham employer: Recruit by Nature
Join a nurturing and supportive team as a Lead Early Years Room Leader in Horsham, West Sussex, where your passion for outdoor learning and child-led exploration will thrive. With a strong emphasis on professional development, including funded training and clear progression pathways, you'll be empowered to inspire both children and your team in a creative, collaborative environment. Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with flexible shifts, generous annual leave, and a culture that celebrates curiosity and meaningful relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Early Years Room Leader — Hands-On, Outdoor Learning in Horsham
✨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
Show off your personality during interviews! Be yourself and let your passion for early years education shine through. Share specific examples of how you've inspired children and led teams in previous roles to really make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the setting. Ask about their approach to outdoor learning or how they support staff development – it’ll help you stand out!
✨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 and engaged with our mission to provide outstanding care and play-based learning.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Early Years Room Leader — Hands-On, Outdoor Learning in Horsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years Education:When writing your application, let your love for early years education shine through! Share specific examples of how you've inspired children and supported their learning. We want to see your enthusiasm for nurturing young minds.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We’re looking for someone who can lead a team and create engaging learning experiences, so don’t hold back on showcasing your leadership abilities!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised 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 gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit by Nature
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented it in your previous roles and how you plan to use it to inspire your team and engage the children.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you motivate and support your team. Think of specific examples where you’ve led a project or mentored a colleague, and be ready to share how you encourage reflective practice within your team.
✨Emphasise Outdoor Learning
Since this role focuses on outdoor exploration, come equipped with ideas for engaging outdoor activities that promote play-based learning. Share any experiences you have in creating enriching outdoor environments and how they benefited the children’s development.
✨Build Relationships with Parents and Carers
Be prepared to discuss how you foster strong relationships with parents and carers. Highlight your communication skills and any strategies you’ve used to keep families informed and involved in their child’s learning journey.
