Lead Practitioner

Pre‑School Lead Practitioner – Required for Immediate Start

Salary details: Grade E £26,403–£28,142 FTE pro‑ra­ta (£13.69–£14.59 per hour)

Contract: Permanent, 30 hours per week (08:45–15:15 Monday‑Friday), Term time only – 38 weeks plus 5 training days.

Stars Trust is looking for a Pre‑School Lead Practitioner to support our youngest learners in our Starfish nursery. The role will involve the effective running of the Pre‑School room under the guidance of the EYFS Leader to fulfil our vision of high‑quality Early Years provision and to promote our whole school mission ‘Love for learning, Love for life!’ This vacancy offers an exciting opportunity for a creative individual who is passionate about creating play environments based upon the EYFS curiosity approach.

The role will involve leading the nursery with responsibility for: implementing creative high‑quality provision, cascading training to team members, building good relationships with children, staff and parents, promoting inclusivity, equality and diversity, and the administration of place planning.

Love for Learning, Love for Life!

• Will lead by example
• Are friendly, approachable and keen to thrive in their role
• Genuinely love working with young children
• Have a passion for creating an engaging indoor and outdoor environment, enabling children to become confident, independent and creative learners
• Have proven managerial level experience in a setting with ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted
• Have an in‑depth understanding of EYFS curriculum and Birth to Five guidance
• Have excellent communication, organisational skills and time management
• Think creatively
• Are confident in supporting children with SEND effectively
• Are team players
• Are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Hold a relevant childcare qualification (level 3 as a minimum, ideally level 4 or 5)
• Are willing to mentor members of staff studying for Early Years qualification

• Excellent knowledge of child development and EYFS
• Experience of working with children with SEN
• Initiative, enthusiasm and a commitment to making a difference
• Excellent communication skills and confidence with ICT
• Ability to work effectively with the Early Years Lead, School SENCo and Inclusion Team
• Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships and communication with parents, staff and other adults in school
• Willingness to complete a 2‑day paediatric first aid course, should you not already hold the qualification

• A friendly and supportive working environment
• Wonderful indoor and outdoor spaces, along with a beautiful orchard area, to enhance our youngest children's learning experiences
• Ongoing professional development
• Access to free health and wellbeing services
• One wellbeing day per year
• Free uniform
• Membership of the local government pension scheme

Closing date:
Thursday 12 March 2026
Interview date:
Friday 20 March 2026

Stars Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. The appointment will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service Check and rigorous safeguarding checks of shortlisted candidates' background credentials, including online searches. Searches will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children.

All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted.

Visits to the nursery and school are warmly welcomed. For more information or to arrange a tour please contact the Headteacher, Francesca Perry, on 01202 778181. We also welcome you to visit our website at