Deputy Room Leader Apprentice

The Role; Bristol; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A local nursery in Bristol seeks a Deputy Room Leader to support and mentor staff, ensuring high standards of care and education. The role involves building strong relationships with children and families, safeguarding their wellbeing, and ensuring compliance with educational standards. Applicants should have 2-3 years of experience in a nursery setting, along with relevant GCSE qualifications. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to further their careers in early years education.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in a nursery setting.
• Be prepared to apply for roles such as Room Leader or Deputy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the team in nursery operations.
• Build strong relationships with children and parents.
• Ensure safeguarding and welfare of children.
• Maintain company standards and compliance.
• Engage in reflective practice and professional development.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Problem solving

Creativity

Initiative

Patience

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4-9)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4-9)

Early Years Educator (grade PASS)

Job description

Overview

The learner will have exposure working in a senior role such as a Deputy Room Leader. Undertaking this apprenticeship will develop the practitioner\'s ability to reflect and build on practice through ongoing professional enquiry and action-led research.

Training will cover planning and delivering engaging activities that reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and take into account children\'s interests, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. The environment (indoors and outdoors) should be stimulating, purposeful, and inclusive, promoting exploration, independence, and curiosity. Daily routines should be continuously reviewed and reflected on, adapting them to meet the individual needs of each child.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the team: work flexibly as part of the wider nursery team, stepping in to support smooth operations. Supervise and mentor staff in your room, ensuring consistency of practice and providing guidance where needed. Share knowledge, lead by example, and inspire colleagues to deliver their best every day. Identify training needs, delegate tasks, and support the manager in leading meetings, inductions, and 1:1s.
• Build strong relationships: act as a Key Person for a small group of children, building strong, trusting bonds with them and their families. Set developmentally appropriate weekly targets for key children and ensure they are integrated into planning. Communicate with parents through daily diaries, learning journals, and regular updates using systems like EY Log. Work in partnership with parents and carers, encouraging them to play an active role in the child\'s learning journey.
• Safeguarding and welfare: take responsibility for the welfare, health, and safety of all children in your care. Complete daily risk assessments and ensure environments are safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Follow safeguarding policies rigorously, reporting concerns immediately in line with local authority and nursery procedures. Promote wellbeing through routines such as toilet checks, hygiene practices, and healthy eating.
• Upholding standards and compliance: support management in maintaining Ofsted \"Good\" status while striving towards \"Outstanding\". Reinforce company policies and procedures, dealing with any breaches swiftly and appropriately. Ensure statutory ratios are met and complete ratio and headcount sheets daily. Maintain accurate observations and assessments to monitor progress in line with EYFS.
• Professionalism and reflection: lead by example in professionalism, conduct, and communication. Engage in reflective practice daily, identifying opportunities to improve and innovate. Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, challenging behaviours or practices that do not align with these values. Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities. Undertake peer observations to support colleagues and continual development.
• Additional responsibilities: be flexible and ready to support the nursery by helping with domestic tasks, covering staff absences, or assisting in other rooms.

Qualifications and Skills

• GCSE in English (grade 4-9) and Maths (grade 4-9).
• Other in Early Years Educator (grade PASS).
• Essential: 2-3 years of experience in a nursery setting.
• Competencies: communication skills, attention to detail, organisation, problem solving, presentation, being logical, teamwork, creativity, initiative, and patience.
• Be prepared to apply for roles such as Room Leader or Deputy as opportunities arise.

Training schedule

The Childcare Company will allocate a Development Coach to the apprentice, and they will undertake 1:1s with the apprentice on a monthly basis. This will be a blended approach of face-to-face and online sessions.

Little Adventures Nursery began with a simple yet powerful vision: to create a nurturing space where children could flourish, explore, and grow. From the very start, our mission has been to provide exceptional early years education, blending the highest standards of care with an environment that feels like a second home. Every aspect of our nursery has been thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, encourage independence, and inspire a lifelong love of learning, ensuring that every child\'s journey is as unique and special as they are.