Early Years Lead Practitioner (permanent; part-time Wednesday - Friday; term-time) in Aberdeen

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the nursery team in delivering and developing an effective, innovative, and high-quality nursery provision to meet the needs of children and families.
• Act as a positive role model and take a lead in any daily duties relating to the effective running of the nursery.
• Lead and facilitate a child-centred pedagogy and curriculum which ensures all individual needs are met.
• Support the nursery team to ensure effective and high-quality planning, implementing, observation, assessing and evaluating of the nursery provision.
• Contribute to the nursery self-evaluation and improvement planning processes.
• Ensure reporting of children's progress and record keeping is in line with nursery policies as well as regulatory and statutory standards.
• Take a supervisory role in all aspects of care which meet the needs of the individual child in line with the school’s duty of care, principles of GIRFEC and Child Protection procedures.
• Contribute to the development and review of nursery policies and risk assessments and supervise the health and safety procedures in practice.
• Undertake administrative tasks as delegated by the Nursery Manager.
• Develop a supportive and nurturing ethos in which children are encouraged and supported in their development.
• Form positive, nurturing relationships with all children and their families through personal interactions and planned written communications.
• Assess the needs of children and families who use the service, plan work to be undertaken and assist the Manager in identifying priorities and intervention opportunities through the provision.
• Work in partnership with all others involved in children's learning and development maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Support the Manager to form and maintain partnership working with community organisations and people to create experiences which benefit children, families, community and the environment.
• Lead a highly skilled and engaged nursery team.
• Lead the day-to-day supervision of Early Years Practitioners, Support Workers and (from time to time) students.
• Provide appropriate direction, coaching and support to colleagues in developing their pedagogy and skillset through one-to-one meetings as well as through daily team working.
• Participate in all aspects of teamwork within the setting including professional development of each other through reflective dialogue, peer working, preparation and care of resources, maintenance of cleanliness, hygiene and safety standards.
• Ongoing commitment to model and inspire best practice and keep abreast of current and relevant research, work, and legislation to ensure that children’s early learning and development is well led and supported.

Role Requirements:

• Minimum Qualification(s) / Certificates / Memberships etc. required: HNC Early Education and Childcare / S/NVQ Level 3 Children’s Care and Development NNEB or equivalent.
• Registration with or eligibility to register with SSSC.
• PVG Membership for Regulated work with Children.
• As a minimum, demonstrate skills and experience in leading a team and/or an area of ELC provision to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Ability to model, inspire and empower staff to develop a pedagogy which results in high quality practice and best outcomes for children and families.
• Experience and/or knowledge of pedagogy, practice, and research.
• Ability to lead child-centred planning, implementation, and evaluation of learning, embedding a meaningful and relevant curriculum.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills (non-verbal, verbal and written), with the ability to relate to a variety of service users and stakeholders.
• Flexible and creative work ethic with the ability to use initiative.
• As a minimum, demonstrate an understanding of child development Pre-birth to 8.
• National and local regulatory frameworks related to ELC.
• National and local guidance, policy and procedures related to ELC.
• Demonstrate commitment to continued professional learning.
• The principles and aims of St Margaret’s School for Girls.
• Maintain registration and code of practice with SSSC.
• Children’s rights, wellbeing and development and the importance of outdoor learning.

Ideal Candidate:

We are seeking to appoint a Lead Practitioner to join our enthusiastic and committed nursery team. Working closely with the nursery manager, the successful candidate will lead the day-to-day work of the nursery team. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of excellent practice in early years, an inclusive approach and a commitment to fostering a love of learning in all.

The nursery is located in two large bright classrooms with adjoining bathrooms in the heart of the school and is an integral part of the school community. St Margaret’s runs the nursery in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and is registered to have up to 40 children aged three and above on the roll. The nursery is open during the school term-time.

Applicants for this position must be registered or eligible for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council at practitioner or manager level. St Margaret’s School places safeguarding of its pupils as its highest priority and the successful applicant will be subject to appropriate qualification and registration checks. All employees at St Margaret’s are required to be a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to join an activity with a group of nursery pupils, which will be observed. All appointments are subject to receipt of two satisfactory references and a satisfactory PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update from Disclosure Scotland.

Package Description:

At St Margaret’s, staff benefit from a warm, welcoming and supportive community and a calm and purposeful learning environment where children and young people are ambitious and keen to progress. Daughters of staff who attend the school will be eligible for a 30% remission on school fees after one year’s service (pro-rata). Employees will have the opportunity to join the school’s pension scheme. St Margaret’s has an Employee Assistance Programme which offers free and confidential advice on both work and personal issues.

The annual salary for this part-time term-time role will be £18,000 - £22,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

Working hours in term time: Wednesday to Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm (with half an hour's unpaid lunch break).

Start date: Wednesday 12th August 2026.