Preschool Lead​/Third in Charge Leicestershire | Term Time

Location:

Leicester, Leicestershire

Salary:
To be confirmed

Position:
Preschool Lead / Third in Charge (TIC) / Senior Early Years Practitioner

Working Hours:

8:30am–3:00pm

Working Pattern:
Term Time Only (TTO)

Qualification:

Relevant Early Years qualification; exact requirements to be confirmed

Early Years Academy is recruiting a confident, enthusiastic and dedicated Preschool Lead / Third in Charge for an Early Years setting in Leicester.

• Leading and supporting the effective day-to-day operation of the preschool room.
• Providing high-quality care and early education for preschool-aged children.
• Planning and overseeing engaging, creative and age-appropriate learning experiences.
• Ensuring teaching and learning reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
• Supporting children’s communication, language, literacy, mathematics and personal development.
• Encouraging children’s independence, confidence, curiosity and readiness for school.
• Monitoring children’s observations, assessments and developmental progress.
• Supporting practitioners with curriculum planning and learning activities.
• Creating a safe, welcoming, stimulating and inclusive preschool environment.
• Building strong relationships with parents and carers.
• Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Promoting positive behaviour, emotional wellbeing and children’s social development.
• Ensuring safeguarding, child protection and nursery policies are consistently followed.
• Supporting the effective deployment of preschool staff and maintaining appropriate ratios.
• Encouraging teamwork, professional development and high standards of childcare practice.

• Supporting the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager with day-to-day nursery operations.
• Providing leadership and guidance to nursery practitioners.
• Supporting staff mentoring, induction, supervision and professional development.
• Assisting with nursery administration and operational responsibilities.
• Helping maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and regulatory compliance.
• Supporting effective communication between management, staff and families.
• Assisting with nursery improvement planning and preparation for Ofsted inspections.
• Supporting the management team with staff deployment and daily operational challenges.
• Acting as a positive role model and promoting a supportive team culture.
• Taking on delegated leadership responsibilities when senior management colleagues are unavailable.

• A recognised qualification in Childcare or Early Years appropriate to the role.
• Previous experience working within a nursery, preschool or Early Years setting.
• Experience in a senior childcare position, such as Preschool Lead, Room Leader, Third in Charge or Senior Nursery Practitioner.
• Strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
• A good understanding of safeguarding, child protection and safer working practices.
• Experience supporting or mentoring nursery colleagues.
• Confidence planning and delivering engaging preschool learning experiences.
• Strong communication, organisation and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of observations, assessments and children’s developmental progress.
• An understanding of inclusive practice and supporting children with SEND.
• The ability to build positive relationships with parents, carers and colleagues.
• A genuine passion for supporting children’s learning, development and school readiness.
• A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above would be particularly suitable for this leadership position, subject to the employer’s final requirements.

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