Early Years Practitioner (Level 3) and Room Leader

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join our vibrant school nursery. This role will involve responsibilities as Room Leader. This is an exciting opportunity for a practitioner who is passionate about early childhood education and ready to take the next step in their career. The successful candidate will lead high-quality provision within our nursery room, ensuring a warm, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every child can thrive. For the right candidate, we are committed to supporting continuing professional development, including possible progression towards a Level 5 Early Years qualification., The Nursery Room Leader is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, organisation, and high-quality provision within the nursery room. They ensure that all children experience a safe, nurturing, stimulating environment that supports their learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The Room Leader models exemplary practice, leads the nursery team with professionalism and warmth, and works in partnership with families, colleagues, and external agencies to ensure the best outcomes for every child. Key Responsibilities 1. Leadership & Team Management

• Work alongside and under the strategic direction of the EYFS lead.
• Lead the daily running of the nursery room, ensuring a calm, purposeful, child-centred environment
• Provide clear direction, delegation, and role clarity for staff
• Model a supportive, approachable, and professional leadership style
• Build a positive team culture based on respect, trust, and shared vision
• Identify staff strengths and training needs through observation and supervision
• Support conflict resolution and promote positive working relationships
• Facilitate reflective practice and continuous improvement
• Lead room meetings and contribute to whole-school EYFS development
2. Teaching, Learning & Curriculum
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate high-quality learning experiences aligned with the EYFS
• Embed the Characteristics of Effective Learning into daily practice
• Promote sustained shared thinking, problem-solving, and independence
• Use open-ended questioning, modelling, and high-quality interactions
• Ensure the environment (indoors and outdoors) is rich, stimulating, and well-organised
• Act as a key person for a group of children, completing observations, assessments, and next steps
• Ensure inclusive practice and adapt provision for SEND pupils
3. SEND & Inclusion
• Work closely with families and the SENDCo to support children with SEND
• Contribute to One Plans, Support Plans, EHCP processes, and Early Help assessments
• Make reasonable adjustments to routines, activities, and the environment
• Ensure staff attend relevant SEND training and implement strategies consistently
• Liaise with external agencies and specialists
4. Safeguarding, Welfare & Health and Safety
• Record and report injuries or concerns following safeguarding procedures
• Work closely with the DSL and follow statutory guidance
• Maintain accurate records and escalate concerns appropriately
• Ensure all staff understand and implement safeguarding policies
• Maintain the highest standards of hygiene, safety, and risk assessment
• Ensure all statutory requirements, including ratios and registration conditions, are met
5. Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
• Carry out regular observations of practice and environment audits
• Develop action plans to improve quality and monitor progress
• Review practice in line with policies and procedures
• Ensure resources and activities are varied, purposeful, and high-quality
• Link staff targets to supervision and appraisal processes
• Monitor progress and individual performance with regular feedback
6. Parent & Community Partnerships
• Build strong, positive relationships with parents and carers
• Provide regular updates on children's progress and wellbeing
• Support transition processes into Nursery, Reception, and beyond
• Represent the nursery professionally at events, tours, and meetings
7. Professional Development & Sector Awareness
• Keep knowledge current regarding EYFS reforms, Ofsted updates, legislation, and funding
• Engage in meetings and ongoing CPD and share learning with the team
• Attend training and disseminate best practice across the setting
• Comply with policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, child protection, equal opportunities, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school and respect confidentiality at all times.
• Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies / professionals, in liaison with the teacher, to support achievement and progress of pupils.
• At the discretion of the Headteacher, any other activities that are consistent with the nature of the job description.
  
  Has strong knowledge and hands-on experience of working with children in an Early Years environment
- Holds a minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification and is committed to ongoing professional development - Has high expectations for children's learning, behaviour, and inclusion - Demonstrates excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues - Is committed to safeguarding, equality, and maintaining confidentiality - Supports and promotes the Catholic ethos and values of our school (applications from non-Catholics who support our ethos are warmly welcomed) We can offer you: - Wonderful children who are eager to learn - A dedicated, supportive and motivated staff team - A forward-thinking, inclusive school community, Essential:
• Level 3 Early Years qualification (minimum)
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS, child development, and safeguarding
• Experience working in an early years setting, ideally with leadership responsibilities
• Excellent communication skills with children, families, and colleagues
• Ability to lead a team with confidence, empathy, and professionalism
• Strong observational skills for assessing children and evaluating staff practice
• Approachable and with the ability to manage conflict professionally and constructively
• Commitment to inclusive practice and high-quality early education
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills
• Commitment to safeguarding, health and safety, equality, and confidentiality
• Ability to reflect on practice and drive continuous improvement
• Paediatric First Aid
Desirable:
• Experience in a school-based nursery
• Experience contributing to SEND support plans or Early Help
• Knowledge of 'Birth to Five' assessment
• Working knowledge of 'Tapestry' software
• Level 4/5 Early Years qualification or willingness to work towards it
• Experience leading staff meetings or training
  
  St Joseph's is part of the Assisi Catholic Trust of schools. At St Joseph's, our core values - Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence, guide everything we do. We believe that every child is created in the image of God and deserves to be loved, known and supported to achieve their very best. As a Catholic school, showing love through all our actions is at the centre of our mission, shaping the way we learn, play, collaborate and care for one another.
We are proud of our strong academic outcomes, which exceed national averages and continue to improve year-on-year. These achievements reflect the dedication of our talented staff, the curiosity and enthusiasm of our pupils, and the wonderful partnership we share with parents and our parish community. Our extensive, beautiful grounds, along with our school swimming pool, provide a unique setting for learning and play. They offer space for exploration, reflection and discovery-supporting children's wellbeing and enriching their learning experiences across the curriculum. St Joseph's is a joyful, vibrant and welcoming place where children thrive academically, spiritually and personally. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Salary: NJC Point 5 (£21,589.27) - paid 44 weeks per year Contract: Full-time, Monday to Friday, Permanent, Term-time only Responsible to: EYFS Lead /Nursery Teacher Hours: 37 hours per week - Four days: 7:30am - 3:30pm and One day: 7:30am - 3:00pm (30-minute unpaid lunch break daily) Additional Room Leader Responsibility: Fixed-term (reviewed annually). Details will be discussed at interview (NJC Point 12-14).