Early years Room Lead

Prior Weston Primary School and Children's Centre; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in children's services is seeking a passionate 0-3 Early Years Room Lead to inspire and nurture young minds. In this pivotal role, you will implement high-quality early years practices, ensuring that every child reaches their full potential. You will foster positive relationships with parents and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to create a nurturing environment. With a commitment to safeguarding and child welfare, you will lead initiatives that promote emotional stability and creativity. Join a dedicated team where your contributions will make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in childcare/early years practice required.
• Experience working with children under 5 in an early years setting is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate early years services under senior management direction.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children in your care.

Skills

Child Safeguarding

Early Childhood Development

Communication Skills

Observation and Assessment

Team Collaboration

Education

Level 3 qualification in childcare

Foundation Degree in Early Years

Tools

Information Technology Systems

Job description

POST TITLE: 0-3 Early years Room Lead

GRADE:
Scale 6

DEPARTMENT Children’s Services

DIVISION / UNIT Learning and Schools/ Early Years and Childcare

REPORTS TO: Daycare Manager

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION

Under the overall direction and management of the Head Teacher, Deputy head teacher and Day Care Manger, to implement high quality early years practice and provision to support all
children to reach their full potential, particularly in the prime areas of learning and development across all centre services

Scale 6: Take responsibility for leading and co-ordinating an area of the centre’s services, under the direction of senior management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children in your care and those you come into contact with.

2. To undertake child protection training at a level commensurate with role.

3. Through hands-on practice contribute to the development and maintenance of developmentally appropriate, child-centred, play-based provision for young children which provides the nurturing environment needed to promote children’s emotional stability, independence, autonomy and creativity.

4. Foster positive relationships and close working links with the range of professionals in the children’s centre in order to promote access to wider integrated services for all families and children and support a multi-disciplinary team around the child and family
approach.

This includes completing and using common assessment frameworks (CAF) and participating in Team around the Child (TAC) meetings where appropriate.

5. Develop and maintain a partnership with parents that value their contributions and involves them in their child’s education, including support for the home learning environment and for ensuring smooth transitions and continuity for the child and parents
into, within and out of the setting.

6. Act as a key person for a defined group of individual children providing each child withcontinuity of care throughout the child’s time at the setting, in partnership with theirparent/carers:

• Develop a loving and secure relationship with each key child.

• Help each key child to become familiar with and confident in the setting.

• Look after each key child’s care and welfare needs e.g. dressing, toilet training, and eating, sleeping, being comforted.

• Build trusted relationships with each key child’s parents, ensuring there are regular opportunities to share information on the child’s development at home and in the
setting.

• Support each child’s individual learning journey through on-going observation, assessment and planning in partnership with parents/carers and other colleagues

• Complete reviews of the key child, in partnership with multi-agency colleagues and parents/carers, as appropriate (e.g. at aged two, leaver’s record).

7. Develop and maintain appropriate positive behaviour strategies with children.

8. Attend and participate in relevant CPD, share the knowledge and ideas gained with

colleagues in the setting and lead on further development in this area if required.

9. Uphold the principles of good practice in inclusion and equal opportunities in all aspectsof the role, supporting early identification and intervention strategies at all times.

10. Contribute to the development and consistent use of systems for planning, observation,assessment and record-keeping

11. Contribute to the development of relevant policies and procedures.

12. Draw on the expertise of colleagues within the setting, and outside agencies to meetthe needs of individual children

13. Keep up to date with best early years practice, local and national policy

14. Take responsibility for leading and co-ordinating an area of the centre’s service. Thepostholder would be expected to

• Use evaluative tools to improve practice and measure impact
• Report on the service provided analysing available data as appropriate
• Direct and support staff
• Maintain effective systems for the smooth running of the service
• Provide advice and disseminate good practice

15. Undertake other minor and/or non-recurring duties appropriate to this post as directedby the Head of Centre/Deputy and lead practitioner including working flexibly (eg.weekends and evenings).

16. To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.

17. Two weeks of the annual leave entitlement to be taken during the Centre closure periodin summer (specific dates to be confirmed depending on Centre).

ADDITIONAL:

• To use and assist others in the use of information technology systems to carry outduties in the most efficient and effective manner.

• To achieve agreed service outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the line manager.

• To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars andother events designed to improve communication and assist with the effectivedevelopment of the post and post holder.

• The post holder is expected to be committed to the Council’s core values of publicservice, quality, equality and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in theway they carry out their duties.

• Ensure all the services within the area(s) of responsibility are provided in accordancewith the Council's commitment to high quality service provision to users.

• Ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation.

• Carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council’s Health and SafetyPolicy and relevant Health and Safety legislation.

• At all times carrying out responsibilities/duties within the framework of the Council's
Dignity for all Policy. (Equal Opportunities Policy).

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert and will also be used in the short-listing
and interview process for this post.

You should demonstrate on your application form how you meet each of the following essential criteria.

Please ensure that your address each one of the criteria as this will be
used to assess your suitability for the post.

Department: Children’s Services Division/Unit: Learning and
Schools/Early Years and Childcare

Post Title: 0-3 Early Years Room Lead

Grade: Scale 6

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE A/I/T*
E1 Minimum Level 3 qualification in childcare/early years practice with suitable

practice placements (e.g. NNEB Certificate, NVQ Level 3 - Childcare/Early Years
Care, BTEC Nationals in Childhood Studies or equivalent )
Desirable:

• A Foundation Degree in early years early childhood studies orequivalent Substantial post qualifying experience of working with children under 5 in an earlyyears setting Educated to English GCSE (A-C) or equivalent or able to pass the Council’sliteracy tests Room Lead experience or equivalent in an early years setting

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITY

Demonstrate the ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, andprovide a safe learning environment and recognise when a child is in danger or at risk of abuse.

Secure knowledge of early childhood development and the importance of earlyidentification and intervention including the range of factors that can inhibit children’s learning and development

Knowledge and understanding of the national early years framework and the importance of play in young children’s development and learning

Demonstrate the ability to promote and create a stimulating learning environmentthat promote all aspects of children’s learning and development, including forchildren with SEND, through a range of effective strategies

Knowledge and an understanding of the importance of the child’s well-being and ability to meet the physical and emotional needs of young children.

Including those with additional social, emotional or special education needs.

Demonstrate a knowledge of how to share information appropriately and safeguarding practice, policy and procedure and the ability to recognise when achild is in danger or at risk of abuse

Demonstrate the ability to effectively contribute and support staff with the observation, assessment, tracking and planning systems in place.
Demonstrate the ability to relate easily and communicate effectively with children aged birth to 5, listening and responding sensitively.

Demonstrate the ability to develop effective relationships with parent/carers and support them in promoting their children’s learning and development in the home

Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with multi-agency staff and to work as part of a team contributing to policy development and evaluation where
appropriate

Demonstrate a knowledge of current developments and issues in the education
and care of young children, including those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged

High level of written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills

To have relevant IT skills, be willing to develop these skills as necessary and befamiliar with relevant software.

Demonstrate the ability to, support and motivate colleagues in specific areas of practice, as required.

• An understanding of the process of the common assessment framework andability to act as lead professional Demonstrate the ability to analyse data and identify future actions for development. Demonstrate the ability to lead, develop and support staff and services. A/I/T

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

• Ability to adhere to the Council’s Dignity for All policy.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POST

• This post requires DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance

Essential

*Assessed by: A= Application I= Interview T= Test