Early Years Team Leader - The Lodge Day Nursery

Reading Borough Council; Reading; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Reading is seeking an experienced early years team leader to support and nurture the development of children in a new nursery setting. The role involves working collaboratively with the team and families to ensure inclusive education. A competitive salary and generous benefits, including flexible working, are offered. Join us in making Reading a vibrant place to live and work.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Flexible working opportunities

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

On-site day nursery rated outstanding by Ofsted

Season Ticket Loan

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the team, families, and professionals.
• Ensure all children achieve and have an equal chance of success.
• Support educators in their ongoing learning and development.

Skills

Level 3 in Early Years/Childcare

Post qualified experience

Experience of leading a baby room 0 -2 years

Excellent understanding of child development

Excellent communication skills

Job description

The Lodge Day Nursery

We are opening a brand-new baby room and need experienced staff to care for and help our babies grow develop through love and nurture.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

The Lodge is a well established nursery providing high quality, affordable and free childcare to local families in Reading.

The nursery is set out over two bright rooms which connect to a private garden space. Our local community is diverse with children attending our setting from a range of different backgrounds and with many different languages represented. Our educators are completely focused on ensuring that all children achieve and have an equal chance of success in an environment which is inclusive, inspiring, and nurturing.

The children are very important and so is our team. We work closely with our educators to ensure that they continue to learn, develop, and share good practices.

We are currently looking for an early year’s team leader who can work collaboratively with our team, families, and wider professionals in the best interests of the children.

Skills and experience

• Level 3 in Early Years/Childcare.
• Post qualified experience.
• Experience of leading a baby room 0 -2 years.
• Excellent understanding of child development.
• Excellent communication skills.

Desirable

• Team leader experience.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading
• Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively
• Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential
• Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing Date: Sunday 7th December 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: To be confirmed