Early Years Deputy Leader

Early Years Organisation; Augher; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare organization in Northern Ireland seeks an Early Years Deputy Leader to provide a safe, inclusive educational environment for young children. The role involves supporting families, enhancing play experiences, and promoting positive parenting. Applicants should possess relevant childcare qualifications and have experience working with children. The position offers competitive salary, comprehensive rewards, and a commitment to professional development.

Benefits

36 days of annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Access to healthcare schemes

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience working with young children in a group-based setting.
• Must possess or be undertaking relevant childcare qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe and welcoming early education environment.
• Support families in positive parenting.
• Innovatively extend play experiences.

Skills

Experience with young children

Team collaboration

Passion for early childhood education

Education

NVQ Level III in Child Care Learning and Development

QCF Level 5 Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development

BA (Hons) degree in Early Years

Job description

Join Early Years – the organisation for young children as Early Years Deputy Leader - creche

Location: Clogher Valley SureStart

Hours: 20 hours per week, term time 45 weeks, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm

Tenure: Permanent

Salary: NJC Scale 4, Point 7-11 (£25,584-£27,269) per annum pro rata

Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education? Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential? Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.

At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.

In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including a competitive salary, 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays, a contributory pension scheme, options to purchase additional leave, and access to healthcare schemes.

The Role

As Early Years Deputy Leader - creche you will ensure children attending the SureStart programmes have the best start in life by providing a safe, welcoming, high quality, inclusive early education environment, working to improve the ability to learn, improve health and social development of children, antenatal to four years of age.

The post holder will support and when required lead in a variety of service delivery within the SureStart project.

You will work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as ‘first educators.

The post holder will innovatively support and extend play experiences to ensure early outcomes are achieved.

Essential Criteria

• a. NVQ Level III in Child Care Learning and Development and QCF Level 5 Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development (Management) OR currently undertaking a course of study that will lead to a level 5 qualification within two years from the date of appointment.
• OR b. BA (Hons) degree in Early Years or equivalent.
• Two years’ experience working with young children in a group-based setting (paid/voluntary experience is acceptable – (Please note student placements cannot be considered as part of the 2-year experience criteria)).

To find out more about the role and to apply, visit our website.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Tuesday 21 October 2025.

For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Thursday 30 October 2025.

Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.