At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nursery room, plan engaging activities, and support your team.
- Company: A warm and welcoming nursery with beautiful learning spaces.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, discounted childcare, birthday off, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Enjoy ongoing training, team events, and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Take ownership of your room and make a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and nursery experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30500 - 30500 £ per year.
A warm, well-run nursery with cosy learning spaces and a beautiful garden is ready for a confident Nursery Room Leader to take ownership of a room and shape it as their own. This full-time role (40 hours, 8:00am–6:00pm) offers responsibility - leading a small team, setting standards, and creating a calm, engaging space where children thrive every day.
Before You Apply
This role requires a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification. You must have recent experience working within a nursery and be confident leading practice. This position is NOT suitable for unqualified applicants.
Key Job Details
- £30,500 per year
- 40 hours per week
- Shifts between 8:00am–6:00pm
- Full-time, permanent contract
- Private day nursery setting
Why This Role Is Worth Considering
- Responsibility for your own room with autonomy in daily organisation
- Thorough induction and structured handover
- Ongoing training and development
- Heavily discounted childcare
- Day off for your birthday
- Long service awards
- Wellbeing support programme
- Regular team events
What You’ll Need
- Full and relevant Level 3 qualification in Early Years
- Proven experience working within a nursery setting
- Experience leading or deputising within a room
- Strong understanding of EYFS and safeguarding requirements
- Confidence managing routines, ratios, and staff performance
Desirable
- Paediatric First Aid
What You’ll Do
- Lead the day-to-day running of your nursery room
- Plan and oversee age-appropriate activities in line with EYFS
- Supervise and support room staff, setting clear expectations
- Maintain accurate observations and learning records
- Ensure safeguarding, health and safety standards are consistently met
- Communicate effectively with parents regarding progress and routines
What Happens After You Apply
Suitable applicants will be contacted for a short initial conversation. Successful candidates will be invited to attend an interview and nursery visit.
Room Leader in Southampton employer: Willingcare
Contact Detail:
Willingcare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Room Leader in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's vibe! Before your interview, take a stroll around their website and social media. This will help you understand their values and culture, so you can tailor your conversation and show them you're the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a friend or family member and do a mock interview. Focus on common questions for nursery leaders, like how you’d handle specific situations with children or staff. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion! During the interview, share stories that highlight your love for early years education. Talk about activities you've led or how you've supported children's development. This will make you memorable and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your chat to remind them of your enthusiasm and keep you fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Room Leader in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Qualifications: Make sure to highlight your Level 3 Early Years qualification right at the start. We want to see that you meet the essential criteria, so don’t be shy about showcasing your credentials!
Share Your Experience: Talk about your recent nursery experience and any leadership roles you've had. We love hearing about how you've shaped a room or led a team, so give us the juicy details!
Demonstrate Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! Share why you’re excited about creating a nurturing environment for children and how you plan to make your room a special place.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Willingcare
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Be ready to discuss how you would implement it in your room, as well as how you can create engaging activities that align with it. This shows your understanding and commitment to providing quality education.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you set clear expectations or improved staff performance. This will demonstrate your capability to manage routines and ratios effectively.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Practice how you would communicate with parents about their children's progress. Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently is key, especially when discussing sensitive topics like safeguarding and health and safety standards.
✨Bring Your Passion for Child Development
Let your enthusiasm for nurturing children's growth shine through. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your dedication to creating a calm and engaging environment. This will resonate well with the interviewers and show them you're the right fit for their nursery.