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

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

Working Hours: Wednesday to Friday: 8:00am – 4:30pm (with half an hour unpaid lunch break). Start Date: Wednesday 12th August 2026.

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 and 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 Qualifications:

• HNC in Early Education and Childcare/S/NVQ Level 3 Children’s Care and Development NNEB or equivalent.
• Registration with or eligibility to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
• PVG membership for regulated work with children.

Skills and Experience:

• Experience leading a team and/or an area of early learning and child care 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.
• Must be registered or eligible to register with the Scottish Social Services Council at practitioner or manager level.

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Child development from pre‑birth to age 8.
• National and local regulatory frameworks related to early learning and child care.
• National and local guidance, policy and procedures related to early learning and child care.

Commitment:

• 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.

Additional Information:

Employees will have the opportunity to join the school’s pension scheme.