Head of EYFS & Early Years - Autism-Aware, Play-Led

ISC group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Small class teams

Hybrid CPD access

Flexible working considerations

Job summary

Caelum House School and Play2Talk Nursery (Blue Sky Autism Project) in London is seeking a Head of Early Years to lead EYFS across two sites. You will plan, deliver and personalise play-based learning for 0–5s, while coaching staff and collaborating with parents to support each child’s development.

The role emphasises multidisciplinary teamwork, safeguarding, and embedding evidence-informed approaches to communication and sensory needs. Immediate start preferred.

Qualifications

• QTS with EYFS or early years classroom experience.
• Leadership and Management experience within a nursery or EYFS provision.
• Belief in child-led, play-based pedagogy and a strengths-first mindset.
• Experience supporting pupils with communication differences and sensory profiles; autism-supportive practice desirable.
• Reflective, organised and data-informed; strong communication and teamwork.
• Committed to safeguarding; Enhanced DBS (or eligible) and registration with the Update Service required.

Responsibilities

• Manage our early years settings and teams across both sites.
• Design and deliver high-quality EYFS provision with clear, sequenced learning and formative assessment.
• Differentiate for communication, sensory and social needs; embed visual supports and regulation strategies.
• Integrate therapy goals from NDBI, SCERTS, PRT into daily routines and continuous provision.
• Track progress against individual targets and contribute to reviews and reports.
• Create a safe, inclusive, communication-rich environment that celebrates progress.
• Work in partnership with parents and external professionals.
• Contribute to safeguarding, behaviour and whole-school development.

Skills

QTS EYFS

Leadership

Play-based pedagogy

Communication teamwork

Safeguarding / DBS

Data-informed

Education

QTS

Job description

Caelum House School and Play2Talk Nursery (Blue Sky Autism Project) in London is seeking a Head of Early Years to lead EYFS across two sites. You will plan, deliver and personalise play-based learning for 0–5s, while coaching staff and collaborating with parents to support each child’s development.

The role emphasises multidisciplinary teamwork, safeguarding, and embedding evidence-informed approaches to communication and sensory needs. Immediate start preferred.