Job Description

Job Title: Preschool Room Leader with opening and closing responsibilities

4 days per week 7.30am-6pm with one day off in the week with an earlier start when opening the nursery.

Reports To: Nursery Manager/Deputy Manager

Purpose of the Role:

As the Preschool Room Leader, you will provide high standards of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children in the preschool room, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. You will lead and inspire a team of early years practitioners, supporting their professional growth while ensuring quality early years provision in line with the EYFS framework.

You must be passionate about outdoor learning and nature, as the nursery is Forest School accredited. You will support and ensure the Forest School Lead's planning and delivery of engaging outdoor learning experiences in accordance with the Forest School ethos--come rain or shine! Additionally, the role includes opening and closing the nursery on designated days, as outlined in a rota.

Key Responsibilities:

Participate in the nursery's opening and closing duties as part of a rota, ensuring a smooth, secure and professional start and end to each day.o Oversee daily routines, including snack and mealtime, activities and toileting, ensuring all are aligned with the nursery's standards.o Work closely with the management team to ensure the preschool room operates smoothly, efficiently and in line with nursery policies and expectations.o Lead, mentor and inspire a team of early years practitioners, providing regular and ongoing support.o Brief all staff (including the Second in Charge) on room routines, key tasks, and responsibilities to maintain consistency and clarity of practice. Allocate tasks and ensure smooth room operations in the event of staff absence due to holiday, illness or your own absence.o Ensure all new team members receive a comprehensive induction, ongoing coaching, and the resources they need to succeed in their role.o Promote a culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement within your team.o Ensure the room and team are always Ofsted-ready by maintaining high standards of care, education, safety and documentation in line with current regulatory requirements and best practices.o Deliver and plan rich, developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with the EYFS and Forest School ethos.o Create and maintain an enabling environment indoors and outdoors with continuous provision that is inclusive and engaging.o Ensure British Values are embedded in daily routines and learning experiences.o Make accurate and effective assessments of children's development through observations and reports.o Ensure all preschool children's reports are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner ahead of parents' evenings.o Ensure the daily moment is sent to the office team promptly for review and are published once approved.o Ensure weekly observations are completed for every child to monitor progress consistently.o Communicate learning progress and next steps clearly with parents/carers and professionals.o Uphold and model safeguarding and child protection policies at all times.o Promote the health, safety and welfare of children and staff, maintaining hygiene standards and room preparation.o Conduct and maintain up-to-date risk assessments, especially for outdoor activities involving small, supervised risks (e.g., fire-building, tool use).Carry out regular headcounts throughout the day to ensure the safety and supervision of all children.o Ensure all safeguarding procedures, including reporting concerns and maintaining confidentiality, are followed consistently.o Ensure all staff consistently follow up-to-date risk assessments for all areas and activities, communicating promptly and effectively with the team to address any non-compliance or concerns.o Ensure all children are appropriately monitored and that staff deployment is well-organised and effective at all times, both indoors and outdoors, to maintain safety, engagement and high-quality care.o Maintain all equipment, tools, and safety measures in accordance with Forest School best practices.o Work in close partnership with colleagues, parents/carers, and external professionals to meet children's needs.o Demonstrate effective communication, both written and verbal, with staff, children and families.o Attend staff training to support continuous professional development.o Attend staff meetings when required, parent evenings, sports day, graduation and other nursery events.o Take the lead on arranging and supporting events for the preschool room and team, such as sports day and other nursery-wide celebrations, ensuring all aspects are well-organised, and inclusive.o Communicate any required supplies for planned activities, Forest School sessions or nursery events to the office team in a timely manner to ensure everything is ordered and available when needed.o Collaborate with the wider nursery team to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.o Ensure a smooth transition for preschool leavers moving to school, including completion of transition forms and ensuring children receive the right support to be school-ready.o Attend the transition evening arranged by Achieving for Children (AFC) and liaise with local schools as needed to support each child's next steps.o Ensure graduation preparations for school leavers are completed in a timely and organised manner, including planning and coordinating speeches, songs, photos, appropriate practice sessions, graduation hat, etc.o Ensure that Famly is update daily with key information such as sleep checks, snacks, meals, nappies, accidents, and other significant events for parents. Ensure all accidents or incidents are recorded on Famly and that parents are informed by phone when necessary.o Must ensure that medications are administered according to the prescribed schedule. And ensure each instance of medication being administered is accurately logged on Famly system, including time, dosage, and any relevant notes.o Provide feedback to the management team regarding staff performance in the room, supporting their appraisals and supervision reviews.o Ensure all staff working in the room are up to date with safeguarding training, procedures and knowledge.o Manage the staff lunch rota and support staff wellbeing.o Conduct daily risk assessments of the room to ensure safety and remove hazards promptly.o Read any communication and updates sent out via email or staff newsletter, ensuring you are aware and that your team is informed of what has been communicated.o Oversee the set-up and closing down of the room daily.o Prepare the room for parents' evening, ensuring it is organised and welcoming.o Ensure that all children have a tent card before meals are served. And ensure all child's dietary requirements are met.o Ensure room routines are followed and that staff are familiar with and adhere to these routines.o For outings, ensure the outing form is completed, a first aider is present, a risk assessment of the area is conducted and regular headcounts are performed. o Perform any other duties as directed by the management team to ensure the effective operation of the nursery.
Opening and Closing Duties:

Perform opening and closing responsibilities as designated on a rota basis, ensuring the nursery is secure, clean, and prepared for the day's activities.o Conduct safety and readiness checks at the beginning and end of each shift, addressing any issues or reporting them to the Nursery Manager as needed.o Ensure that doors, gates, and other security measures are properly closed and locked at the end of each day.
Person Specification:

Essential Experience:

Previous experience as a Room Leader or Second in Charge in a preschool room.Experience as a key person, maintaining developmental records and working closely with families.

Desirable Experience:

Experience supporting children and families with additional or special educational needs.

Essential Knowledge:

In-depth understanding of the EYFS and Development Matters.Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge.Awareness of relevant legislation and compliance standards for early years settings.

Essential Skills and Competencies:

Strong leadership, team-building and mentoring abilities.Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).Flexible, adaptable and committed to reflective practice and improvement.Passionate about outdoor learning and committed to the Forest School ethos, embracing nature in all weather conditions.

Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.

Desirable Skills:

Creative, imaginative and responsive in a dynamic environment.Calm and composed under pressure or during challenging situations.

Qualifications:

Essential:

Full and relevant Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education.Paediatric First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.

Desirable:

Accredited Level 2 or 3 Forest School Leader qualification or willingness to obtain.SENCO qualification or willingness to train.

Safeguarding Statement:

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You are required to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions, or bind-overs, including those regarded as 'spent'. An enhanced DBS check will be required before employment. Failure to disclose relevant information could result in disciplinary action or dismissal.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 33,280.00-37,440.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Childcare Company pension Free parking On-site parking
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday No weekends
Ability to commute/relocate:

Chessington KT9 1PL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Childcare: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:

Level 2 or level 3 in childcare (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Pre/07/08 July 2025