BABY ROOM LEAD

Dukes Education Group; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free lunch every day

Free on-site parking

Help towards healthcare costs

Career development opportunities

CPD/inset days

Employee Assistance Programme

Gym membership discounts

Cycle to work scheme

5 additional holidays

Prime location near Cambridge Station

Job summary

Sancton Wood Nursery in Cambridge is seeking a Baby Room Lead to oversee the baby room and lead a small team. You’ll create a safe, nurturing environment and deliver high-quality activities aligned with EYFS to support early development.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, partnerships with families and ongoing staff development within a 48-week operating year. Join a welcoming team near Cambridge Station with staff benefits.

Qualifications

• Level 3 (or equivalent) in EYFS or above
• Experience working with children aged 1–2 years
• Previous Room Lead, Senior Educator or supervisory experience
• Strong knowledge of EYFS and child development
• Sound safeguarding, health & safety and statutory requirements
• Experience observing, assessing and planning for children’s learning
• The confidence to lead, manage and develop a team
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Paediatric First Aid qualification
• Desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day running of the baby room, ensuring outstanding care and education
• Supervise, support and inspire your team, creating a positive and collaborative culture
• Contribute to the wider nursery leadership team and deputise for management when required
• Champion a strong culture of safeguarding and ensure concerns are identified, recorded and reported appropriately
• Create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes children’s wellbeing and development
• Plan and deliver high-quality, age-appropriate activities in line with the EYFS framework and individual needs
• Observe, assess and track children’s development, maintaining accurate learning records
• Take key person responsibility and build meaningful relationships with children and families
• Oversee feeding, sleep, nappy changing, toileting and hygiene routines to an exceptional standard
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety and statutory requirements
• Monitor quality of practice and support continuous improvement, including readiness for Ofsted inspections
• Lead staff development through supervision, coaching, mentoring and performance management
• Support induction and ongoing training, identifying development needs
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure systems and records meet regulatory and organisational requirements
• Communicate effectively with parents, sharing regular updates on children’s progress and wellbeing
• Act as an ambassador for the nursery, building positive relationships with families and the local community

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Team leadership

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Paediatric First Aid

Education

Level 3 EYFS or equivalent

Job description

At Sancton Wood Nursery, we believe the earliest years are some of the most important — and we’re looking for a passionate Baby Room Lead to help make every one of them count.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our nursery leadership team, leading the day-to-day operation of our baby room and creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where little ones can flourish.

You’ll bring warmth, curiosity and confidence to everything you do — from responsive interactions and engaging activities to exceptional care routines and meaningful partnerships with families.

A NURSERY WHERE CHILDREN COME FIRST

Our newly refurbished nursery is a welcoming, family-friendly environment supporting children aged 12 months to 4 years.

We’re conveniently located just 2 minutes’ walk from Cambridge Station, with free on-site car parking and bike parking.

And when it’s time to head outdoors, our magical garden becomes a world of discovery — with:

• Forest School session

• A large climbing frame

• A water pump

• A sandpit

• Space to explore, create and grow

We’re proud of our outstanding approach to supporting every child’s social and emotional development.

Our year

We operate 48 weeks a year, closing at Christmas, Easter and for two weeks in August.

Staff also receive an additional 5 days’ holiday, plus public holidays that fall outside nursery closure periods.

YOUR ROLE

As Baby Room Lead, you will:

• Lead the day-to-day running of the baby room, ensuring outstanding care and education

• Supervise, support and inspire your team, creating a positive and collaborative culture

• Contribute to the wider nursery leadership team and deputise for management when required

• Champion a strong culture of safeguarding and ensure concerns are identified, recorded and reported appropriately

• Create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes children’s wellbeing and development

• Plan and deliver high-quality, age-appropriate activities in line with the EYFS framework and individual needs

• Observe, assess and track children’s development, maintaining accurate learning records

• Take key person responsibility and build meaningful relationships with children and families

• Oversee feeding, sleep, nappy changing, toileting and hygiene routines to an exceptional standard

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety and statutory requirements

• Monitor quality of practice and support continuous improvement, including readiness for Ofsted inspections

• Lead staff development through supervision, coaching, mentoring and performance management

• Support induction and ongoing training, identifying development needs

• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure systems and records meet regulatory and organisational requirements

• Communicate effectively with parents, sharing regular updates on children’s progress and wellbeing

• Act as an ambassador for the nursery, building positive relationships with families and the local community

IS THIS YOU?

You’ll need:

• Level 3 (or equivalent) in EYFS or above — Essential

• Experience working with children aged 1–2 years — Essential

• Previous Room Lead, Senior Educator or supervisory experience — Desirable

• Strong knowledge of EYFS and child development

• A sound understanding of safeguarding, health & safety and statutory requirements

• Experience observing, assessing and planning for children’s learning and development

• The confidence to lead, manage and develop a team

• Excellent organisational and communication skills

• Paediatric First Aid qualification — Desirable

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who genuinely believes that every child deserves the very best start in life.

MORE THAN JUST A JOB

We invest in our people.

When you join Sancton Wood Nursery, you’ll become part of the wider Dukes Education community, with opportunities to grow your skills, develop your career and make a real difference.

Your benefits include:

• Free lunch every day, all year round

• Free on-site parking

• Help towards healthcare costs and access to a 24/7 GP

• Dukes Education development and career opportunities

• Continuing professional development, including 4 dedicated INSET days each year

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Gym membership discounts

• Cycle to work scheme

• Additional 5 days' holiday, plus public holidays outside nursery closure periods

• A super- convenient location - just 2 minutes from Cambridge Station

READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

If you’re an ambitious, caring and inspiring early years professional looking for your next challenge, we’d love to welcome you to Sancton Wood Nursery.

Come and lead a team where curiosity is encouraged, relationships matter and every little moment counts.