Early Years Lead Practitioner

Inspired Education Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspired Education Group’s Wetherby Pembridge Minors in London is seeking an Early Years Lead Practitioner to oversee the quality of early education for 2- to 5-year-olds. The role focuses on curriculum intent, implementation, and impact, ensuring progression and readiness for school.

The ideal candidate will set high standards, lead classroom practice, and uphold safeguarding and welfare requirements while collaborating across the group to drive professional development and mobility

Qualifications

• EYTS or graduate early years qualification; QTS if foundation stage is relevant.
• Extensive experience with 2-5 year olds.
• Experience leading teams in delivering high quality early education.
• Knowledge of safeguarding requirements and inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high quality inclusive early education responsive to the needs of children and families.
• Lead practice within the classroom and support staff.
• Monitor assessment, recording and reporting on children's progress.
• Ensure all practitioners understand and apply the EYFS in practice.
• Maintain high expectations and support children to reach their potential.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and welfare requirements are met.
• Coordinate and implement agreed programmes and interventions with the team.
• Conduct termly observations and report findings to the Head.

Skills

Leadership experience

Early years experience

Communication with parents

Education

EYTS or graduate early years qualification

QTS with Foundation Stage specialization

Job description

Early Years Lead Practitioner

Location: London, GB

Date: 28 Oct 2026

Application closing date: Applications considered on a rolling basis

Inspired Education is the leading global group of premium schools, with a portfolio of 125 premium private schools spanning 6 continents which utilise proven educational practices from every corner of the globe, ensuring over 95,000 students receive a world-class learning experience from Kindergarten to Year 13.

In 28 countries, Inspired schools are individually developed and anchored in the vibrant cultures of their respective locations. They collectively form an international family of schools that nurtures each student's academic and personal development in a progressive, dynamic, and innovative learning environment.

By joining our award-winning team of over 14,000 employees, you can work in state-of-the-art facilities alongside industry-renowned educators and leaders in some of the world's most desirable locations. We invest heavily in our team members who enjoy industry-leading professional development, exceptional career opportunities, and mobility across our group.

ROLE SUMMARY

Wetherby Pembridge Minors is a well-established and highly respected Nursery School, offering best-in-class preschool education in a stimulating and supportive environment. Children often progress to other schools within the group such as Wetherby School and Pembridge Hall School.

The purpose of this role is to oversee the quality of the early education for the children in the nursery and effectively deliver the group’s high educational standards. This role will focus on promoting teaching and learning to ensure that children progress in their development to achieve their full potential and become ready for school.

This is a leadership role that includes: a) setting accurate intentions for the curriculum that has been planned for the children (intent), b) overseeing the implementation and teaching strategies used in the classroom (implementation) and c) measuring the impact of the curriculum to ensure children are progressing in their learning (impact).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To be accountable for the delivery of high quality inclusive early education, which is responsive to the needs of children and their families.
• To lead practice within the classroom.
• To monitor systems of assessment, recording and reporting on the progress in children’s development and learning
• To ensure that all practitioners understand the principles and content of the Early Years Foundation Stage and know how to put them into practice.
• To ensure that practitioners have high expectations of all children and demonstrate commitment to ensuring that they can achieve their full potential.
• To ensure that the service delivery is maintained within current legislative requirements including the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements, Health and Safety and Safeguarding and the Learning and Development Requirements.
• To contribute to the work of a multi-professional team and, where appropriate, coordinate and implement agreed programmes and interventions on a day-to-day basis.
• To conduct termly observations of practice and report findings to the Head.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE

• The post holder must have hold EYTS or a graduate early years’ qualification. For applicants with QTS, this should be specific to the foundation stage age group.
• Extensive experience of working with young children, particularly 2-5-year-olds.
• Experience of leading teams in delivering high quality early education

Knowledge and Understanding:

• A good understanding of what constitutes a quality early education environment.
• An up-to-date knowledge and understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures.
• A good understanding of making accurate assessments of children’s learning and development and devising appropriate next steps for their learning.
• A commitment to inclusive and non-discriminatory working practice with children, families, colleagues, and the community.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to design and develop early education environments and programmes and built on the children’s interests and the characteristics of effective teaching and learning.
• Flexibility, initiative, and the ability to vary and structure the curriculum according to children’s needs.
• Good observational skills and the experience to support staff in knowing when and how best to intervene to support children’s learning, development, and interactions.
• Ability to communicate with colleagues and parents effectively.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.