At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic nursery team to deliver high-quality early years education.
- Company: Join a nurturing environment at St Margaret’s School for Girls.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a supportive community atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while inspiring your team.
- Qualifications: HNC in Early Education and Childcare or equivalent required.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 22000 £ per year.
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.
Lead Early Years Practitioner: Inspire a Quality Nursery employer: The Independent Schools Council
At St Margaret’s School for Girls, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a nurturing and supportive work environment for our Lead Early Years Practitioners. Our commitment to professional development ensures that you will have ample opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career while working in a collaborative team dedicated to delivering high-quality early years education. Located in a vibrant community, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families, all within a framework that values innovation and best practices in childcare.
Contact Details:
The Independent Schools Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Early Years Practitioner: Inspire a Quality Nursery
✨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 hunt for a Lead Early Years Practitioner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the nursery's ethos and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of delivering high-quality care and education. We want to see that passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams or improved practices in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to inspire and empower others will set you apart from the competition.
✨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 their job search. Let's get you that dream role!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Early Years Practitioner: Inspire a Quality Nursery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience and qualifications align with the role of Lead Early Years Practitioner. We want to see how you can inspire a quality nursery, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through in your written application. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about child development and creating nurturing environments, so share your story and what drives you!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance.
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 us and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Independent Schools Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in child development theories and the latest early years practices. Brush up on the principles of GIRFEC and how they apply to your role. This will show that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or improved outcomes for children and families in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to coaching and supporting colleagues, as this is key for the Lead Early Years Practitioner position.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a dialogue. Ask thoughtful questions about their nursery’s philosophy and how they implement child-centred pedagogy. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since effective communication is crucial in this role, be clear and articulate in your responses. Use examples that highlight your ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues. This will help convey your interpersonal skills effectively.
