Job Description

The Room Leader spearheads the educational and developmental activities within their designated room, providing leadership and direction to ensure a high-quality learning environment that aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and the nursery curriculum. The Room Leader is responsible for nurturing an atmosphere that supports each child's growth and learning journey, fostering strong collaborative relationships with staff, children, and their families. By overseeing the planning and execution of engaging, age-appropriate activities, the Room Leader ensures that educational objectives are met, that staff are effectively supported and guided, and that the nursery's values and educational ethos are embodied consistently across all interactions and practices. The Room Leader also plays a critical role in safeguarding and welfare, maintaining vigilant standards of health, safety, and care, and ensuring staff adherence to all nursery policies and procedures.

Plan and implement activities that are engaging, educational, and age-appropriate in line with the nursery curriculum.

Lead and mentor the room staff team, fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and professional growth to enhance team performance and morale.

Conduct regular team meetings to discuss progress, share best practices, address challenges, and facilitate effective communication and teamwork.

Set clear objectives and expectations for team members, providing regular, constructive feedback to support their development and ensure high standards of teaching and care.

Delegate responsibilities appropriately, ensuring tasks are distributed fairly and according to team members' strengths and areas for development.

Monitor and evaluate team performance, recognising achievements and addressing any areas of concern promptly and effectively.

Facilitate a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging team members to contribute ideas and take initiative in their roles.

Promote ongoing professional development, encouraging and arranging opportunities for team members to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Act as a role model, demonstrating commitment, professionalism, and a passion for early years education.

Maintain open lines of communication with the nursery management, providing regular updates on room activities, team performance, and any issues or successes.

Work collaboratively with other room leaders and the nursery management to ensure a cohesive approach to education and care across the nursery.

Ensure that team members understand and adhere to the nursery's policies and procedures, particularly regarding safeguarding, health and safety, and confidentiality.

Support the integration of new team members, providing guidance and mentorship to help them acclimate and become effective contributors to the team.

Address any interpersonal or professional conflicts within the team promptly and constructively, fostering a harmonious and cooperative work environment.

Encourage and facilitate team involvement in nursery-wide initiatives and events, promoting a sense of community and shared purpose.

Continuously evaluate the condition and relevance of resources, replacing or updating as needed to maintain engagement and support developmental goals.

Assess and modify room layout to optimise learning and play.

Regularly inspect the room and its equipment for any potential health and safety hazards, initiating corrective actions promptly.

Peer on Peer Observations.

Room Observations.

Plan and implement activities that are engaging, educational, and age-appropriate in line with the nursery curriculum.

Assess and evaluate the impact of conducted activities, using observations and feedback to identify the children's interests and needs. Based on these insights, plan and implement new activities that are reflective of the children's emerging interests but also informed by the outcomes and learnings from previous activities.

Document and track each child's learning journey via Reports and Observations that reflect their developmental progress, interests, and engagement with the curriculum.

Actively participate in the creation and monitoring of Individual Action Plans (IAPs) and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to support each child's unique developmental path.

Serve as a key person for a designated group of children, establishing a trusting and nurturing relationship with them and their families and closely monitoring their progress and well-being.

Maintain accurate records of the children's development and activities, ensuring they are up-to-date and shared with parents during regular consultations.

Cultivate a deep understanding of the EYFS and the nursery curriculum, effectively applying their principles to the daily educational activities.

Maintain a high-quality educational environment in the rooms.

Engage with parents and carers to form strong partnerships, offering them regular insights into their child's progress and how they can support their learning at home.

Participate in Parent Evenings.

Collaborate with colleagues to foster an inclusive, supportive atmosphere that values the dignity and rights of every child, encouraging their sense of security and belonging.

Work closely with the SENCO to identify and support children with additional needs, ensuring tailored and inclusive educational strategies are in place.

Actively participate in planning and implementing individual support plans, contributing insights and observations to help adapt activities and environments that maximize learning and development opportunities for every child.

Regularly attend staff meetings to stay informed of nursery updates, share insights, and collaboratively address any issues or opportunities for improvement.

Assist during meal times, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all children. This includes helping with food preparation and being vigilant about individual food allergies and dietary requirements.

Support children's transitions (e.g. between rooms or to school) by ensuring these changes are smooth by working in partnership with parents/carers and/or the receiving environment.

Annual Ofsted readiness inspections.

Parental Engagement Questionnaire.

Peer on Peer Observations.

Room Observations.

Ofsted Inspections.

Training Attendance.

Observations (quality and quantity).

Reports (quality and timeliness)

Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements

Key Performance Indicators

Understand, implement, and actively promote the nursery's safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory, and best practice guidelines.

Maintain vigilance and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing any safeguarding concerns, following the appropriate procedures for reporting and action without delay.

Contribute to the creation of risk assessments to ensure a safe environment for children, staff, and visitors.

Promote and uphold health and safety standards throughout the nursery, actively participating in relevant training and ensuring compliance with food safety and food hygiene procedures.

Engage in ongoing professional development to stay informed of current safeguarding issues, legislation, and best practices.

Maintain up-to-date first aid knowledge and certification, ensuring readiness to respond effectively to any medical incidents or emergencies.

Be well-versed in the nursery's emergency procedures, including fire evacuation and lockdown protocols.

Uphold the utmost respect for confidentiality in all matters relating to the children, their families, and any sensitive situations that may arise within the nursery.

Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in all areas of the nursery.

Follow emergency evacuation procedures, assist in evacuating children safely, and provide reassurance.

Participate in fire drills.

Report fire safety concerns.

Ensure awareness of who is the designated Fire Room Lead each day.

Support Fire Room Leads and the Fire Warden as needed.

Support evacuation procedures by stepping in to complete evacuation duties when another team member is unable to do so or fails to carry out their assigned task.

Accurate inputting of Accident Reports.

Following policies and procedures.

Staff Quiz Results.

Opening & Closing Checks.

Annual Ofsted readiness inspections.

Parental Engagement Questionnaire.

Peer on Peer Observations.

Room Observations.

Ofsted Inspections.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 13.00 per hour

Expected hours: 38 per week

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Application question(s):

How long would your commute be to the nursery (WV15 5AG)? Do you have a recognised Level 3 Qualification (or above) in Early Years Education? This means a qualification that meets the DFE criteria for counting in the Early Years Foundation Stage, staff:child ratios.
Experience:

Leadership: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 11/08/2025