At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow our Early Years programme, ensuring high-quality provision across multiple nursery settings.
- Company: YMCA Heart of England, a Christian charity dedicated to community support and development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real difference in children's lives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Early Years education while expanding your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in early years education and strong leadership abilities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to delivering impactful services in Birmingham and Coventry.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
YMCA Heart of England is a Christian charity providing a range of life-changing services for the local community. With a turnover of over £7.5m, we house over 300 young people and support them to get their lives back on track. We also care for pre-school children in our nursery and run various social enterprises and community programmes. With over 100 staff and volunteers working for us and thousands of people using our many premises every year, we are an organisation committed to delivering the best possible service to our customers in line with our Christian ethos and values.
We’re looking for a Head of Early Years to lead and grow a key area of our organisation. This is a strategic leadership role with hands-on responsibility for driving high-quality provision and expanding our Early Years offer across Birmingham and Coventry. You’ll oversee our existing nursery while leading the development of up to four new settings in line with our five-year growth plan. Reporting to the Director of Business, Community and Youth Services, you’ll work closely with senior leaders to align Early Years with our wider organisational goals.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead curriculum development and quality improvement across all nursery settings, starting with Billy Bears, in line with EYFS and Ofsted standards.
Head of Early Years employer: YMCA Heart of England
Contact Detail:
YMCA Heart of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Early Years
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the Early Years sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching YMCA Heart of England thoroughly. Understand their values and how they align with your own. We want to see you shine, so think about how your experience can contribute to their mission and growth plans.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for Early Years education! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've driven quality improvement in previous roles. We love hearing about your hands-on experiences and how you’ve made a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to support the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Early Years
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in children's lives and how that aligns with our values at YMCA Heart of England.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored specifically for the Head of Early Years role. Highlight your relevant experience in curriculum development and leadership, and don’t forget to mention any successful projects you've led that align with our goals.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at YMCA Heart of England.
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA Heart of England
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted standards. Brush up on the latest trends in early years education and be ready to discuss how you can implement these in the nursery settings.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, especially in a childcare or educational setting.
✨Align with Their Values
YMCA Heart of England is a Christian charity, so it’s important to demonstrate how your personal values align with their mission. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their community-focused approach and enhance their services.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions that show your interest in their growth plans and how you can play a role in them. This could include inquiries about their current curriculum or how they measure success in their Early Years settings.