Early Years Manager

Join our Team at Waltham Chase Pre-School

Position: Pre-School Manager

Hours: 30 - 37.5 hours per week, Term Time Only, 4 or 5 days a week, 8am - 3:30pm

Pay: Staring from £17.40 per hour

Qualification: Minimum of a Full and Relevant Level 3 Childcare Qualification

Start date: With the right candidate, the start date will be 02.11.2026 with one month hand over from our current manager

We are a small committee run pre-school in the heart of Waltham Chase within Waltham Chase Village hall, offering early years education from 2yrs to school age. Our over-riding aim is to provide a safe and stimulating environment to all children where they can learn and develop to their full potential to give them the best start possible. We are passionate about excellence in early years education and are looking for someone who shares this vision.

We are a set up (8am) and pack away (3.30pm) Pre-school, open to the children from 8.30 to 3.00 each day 38 weeks of the year.

Role Purpose:

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Early Years Manager to lead our dedicated team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and education, maintaining compliance with statutory guidelines, and creating an environment where both children and staff can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the daily operations of the early years setting.
• Provide strong leadership to staff, including mentoring, training, and performance management. Hold and lead regular staff meeting, attend Board meetings and Village Hill Committee meetings.
• Embed our ethos and curriculum based on In The Moment Planning and continuing to develop the settings environment.
• Work with the Board of Trustees, build relationships with our local primary schools and liaise with the Village Hall Committee from whom we rent our space from.

Curriculum & Quality Assurance:

• Develop, implement, and regularly review an engaging curriculum based on best-practice early years education in line with In The Moment Planning.
• Evaluate effectiveness and introduce improvements as needed.

Compliance & Safeguarding:

• Ensure the setting complies with all statutory requirements, including health and safety and safeguarding policies.
• Liaise with OFSTED and other regulatory bodies, preparing documentation and reports when required.

Community & Parental Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, carers, and the local community.
• Act as a point of contact for concerns and feedback, ensuring open, transparent communication.

Resource Management:

• Manage funding and budgets, resources, and scheduling to support efficient and high-quality delivery of care.

Qualifications and Training:

• At a minimum, Level 3 recognised, Early years educator certificate (or equivalent)
• Up-to-date Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding Training.

Experience:

• A Minimum of two years proven supervisory/management experience in an early years education setting or equivalent relevant experience.
• In depth experience and knowledge of SEND to support our SENCO and children.

Regulatory and Operational Competence:

• Sound understanding of the Revised EYFS and related statutory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct effective staff management, including induction, supervision, appraisals, and performance reviews.

Communication:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to engage parents and staff and produce clear, well-documented reports.

Safeguarding and Inclusion:

• Strong commitment to safeguarding, equal opportunities, diversity, and the overall welfare of children.

Personal Attributes:

• Ability to work calmly under pressure, always display a professional approach, and adapt to the dynamic nature of a small pre-school setting.

Compliance:

• Must pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), and applicants must be prepared to disclose relevant convictions.

Qualifications and Training:

• Level 4 or above in early years education or a related degree.
• A desire to obtain a Level 4/5 qualification/ further education.
• Safeguarding, SENCO specific training.

Technical Skills:

• Experience using Tapestry, our record-keeping system.

Sector Experience:

• Experience working in a committee run pre-school setting.

What we offer:

• An experienced, close nit team of 8 staff, 2 relief staff and a healthy number of Board members.
• A beautiful indoor and outdoor environment with monthly trips into the local community.
• Opportunities and support for further qualification and continuous CPD training.
• DBS and update service subscription paid for during employment

At Waltham Chase Pre-School, we are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals. We are committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful, you will be subject to a DBS check and satisfactory references required.

We reserve the right to close the job advert early if the right candidate is found.