Early Years Deputy Leader

Early Years - the organisation for young children; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 14,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

36 days annual leave (pro-rata)

Contributory pension

Healthcare schemes

Flexible working conditions

Job summary

Early Years – The Organisation for Young Children is seeking an Early Years Deputy Leader in Craigavon for a 19.5-hour week during term-time (47 weeks). The role focuses on providing a safe, high-quality early education environment within the SureStart programme and requires relevant qualifications and two years’ experience with young children.

The post involves supporting families, promoting positive parenting, and leading service delivery as needed, with a competitive salary and excellent

Qualifications

• NVQ Level III in Child Care Learning and Development or QCF Level 5 Diploma (Management) or currently pursuing a Level 5 within two years.
• BA (Hons) degree in Early Years or equivalent.
• Two years' experience working with young children in a group-based setting (paid/voluntary; student placements not counted).

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, welcoming, high-quality inclusive early education environment for SureStart attendees.
• Support and lead service delivery within the SureStart project when required.
• Collaborate with families to promote positive parenting and the role of parents as first educators.
• Innovatively extend play experiences to achieve early outcomes.

Skills

Two years experience with children

Education

BA (Hons) Early Years

NVQ Level III/Level 5 Diploma in Childcare Leadership

Job description

6c Wildflower Way, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT12 6TA United Kingdom

Join Early Years – The Organisation for Young Children as an Early Years Deputy Leader

Location: Splash SureStart, Office 1, Legahory Center,Craigavon. BT65 5BE

Hours:19.5 hours per week, term-time working (47 weeks).

Days/times to be discussed with successful candidate

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 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, ante-natal to four years of age. The post holder will support and when required lead in a variety of service delivery within the SureStart project.

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

As Early Years Deputy Leader you will innovatively support and extend play experiences to ensure early outcomes are achieved.

We're looking for people who:

• 1. 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.
• b. BA (Hons) degree in Early Years or equivalent.
• 2. Two years' experience working with young children in a group-based setting (paid/voluntary experience is acceptable, but please note, student placements cannot be considered as part of the 2-year experience criteria).

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday, 23 October 2026.

Should you need to contact us, please use the following methods:

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone] Option 5

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.