Early Years Quality Specialist

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Crawley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Holiday entitlement

Discounted childcare

Shopping discounts

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool is seeking an Early Years Quality Specialist to lead regional quality improvement across our South Division, including Brighton and Crawley. This full-time role is field-based with travel required and a £45k salary plus £4k car allowance.

You will coach nursery teams, deliver coaching, training, and implement the Bright Beginnings Curriculum, Quality Improvement Framework, SEND/ASN and Nurture approaches to ensure every child has the best start in

Qualifications

• Significant Early Years leadership across multiple settings.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, developing nursery teams.
• Strong safeguarding, inspection frameworks and best practice.
• Evidence-based improvement via data, audits and reporting.
• Level 3 Early Years qualification and ongoing professional development.
• Desirable: Nursery Manager/Local Authority/EY Quality Improvement experience.
• Desirable: Ofsted/Care Inspectorate inspector experience.
• Desirable: EY degree or QTS/EYTS/EYPS/Thrive practitioner status.
• Desirable: Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Support nursery teams to deliver outstanding care and education.
• Coach, mentor, and develop colleagues to drive best practice.
• Conduct nursery visits to monitor quality and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support the delivery of the Bright Beginnings Curriculum, SEND/ASN, and Nurture programmes.
• Work with Nursery Managers and regional teams to improve outcomes and maintain compliance.
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing, and continuous improvement.
• Help nurseries achieve strong inspection and quality audit outcomes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Coaching & mentoring

Safeguarding knowledge

Data-driven improvement

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

EYFS leadership qualification / Thrive status

Job description

Job Title: Early Years Quality Specialist

Type: Full Time / 37.50 Hours per week / Field based

Salary: From £45k per annum plus £4k car allowance

• Travel is required within our South Division (areas include Brighton and Crawley) plus travel to head office as and when required*

Car And Driving Licence Is Essential For This Role

Closing Date for this role is 30th October 2026

Purpose of the Role

• Support nursery teams to deliver outstanding early years education and care across the region.
• Provide hands-on coaching, mentoring, and training to drive best practice and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Nursery Managers and operational teams to maintain high-quality learning environments and strong regulatory outcomes.
• Lead the implementation of the Bright Beginnings Curriculum, Quality Improvement Framework, SEND/ASN, and Nurture approaches to ensure every child has the best start in life.

What We Can Offer You

• Flexible working and holiday entitlement
• Discounted childcare
• Discounts on shopping, groceries, holidays, and entertainment
• Wellbeing support and resources to help you thrive at work and home

Why Bright Horizons?

At Bright Horizons, our support teams play a vital role in helping over 10,000 children across the UK access outstanding care and education. With 98% of our nurseries rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, we're proud to make a positive difference to children, families, and communities. We are committed to creating a supportive workplace that champions flexibility, wellbeing, and a healthy work-life balance for all our employees.

Key Accountabilities

• Support nursery teams to deliver outstanding care and education.
• Coach, mentor, and develop colleagues to drive best practice.
• Conduct nursery visits to monitor quality and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support the delivery of the Bright Beginnings Curriculum, SEND/ASN, and Nurture programmes.
• Work with Nursery Managers and regional teams to improve outcomes and maintain compliance.
• Promote a positive culture of safeguarding, wellbeing, and continuous improvement.
• Help nurseries achieve strong inspection and quality audit outcomes.

Essential / Desired Experience & Qualifications

• Significant Early Years leadership experience, driving quality improvement and achieving strong inspection outcomes across multiple settings (Essential)
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing nursery teams (Essential)
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, inspection frameworks, and early years best practice (Essential)
• Experience using data, audits, and reporting to drive continuous improvement (Essential)
• Level 3 Early Years qualification and evidence of ongoing professional development (Essential)
• Previous Nursery Manager, Local Authority, or Early Years Quality Improvement experience (Desirable)
• Experience as an Ofsted/Care Inspectorate Inspector (Desirable)
• Experience delivering training and supporting practitioner networks (Desirable)
• Early Years degree, QTS/EYTS/EYPS, Leadership qualification, or Thrive Practitioner status (Desirable)
• Full UK Driving Licence (Desirable)

Personal Attributes

• Strong communicator with the ability to influence and drive change.
• Motivated, organised, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Builds positive relationships and develops high-performing teams.
• Positive, proactive, and solutions-focused approach.
• Uses data and insights to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Flexible and willing to travel across the UK as required.

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

We look forward to receiving your application.