Lead Early Years Educator

Early Years Alliance; Erith; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading early years educational charity in Erith is seeking a Lead Early Years Educator to guide a team in providing inclusive and engaging learning experiences for children. Responsibilities include curriculum planning and ensuring high-quality education in a supportive environment. Ideal candidates will possess a Level 3 qualification and have relevant experience. The position offers significant benefits, including extensive training and generous annual leave.

Benefits

100% discount on childcare

Extensive training opportunities

Generous pension scheme

25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Birthday leave

Enhanced sickness pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education and Childcare or equivalent.
• Post-qualification experience in early education and childcare.
• Ability to plan and implement curriculum according to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to provide engaging learning opportunities for children.
• Model responsive interactions and extend children’s learning.
• Support nursery management in delivering high-quality care and education.

Skills

Child development understanding

Curriculum planning

Sensitive interaction

Education

Level 3 Early Years Education and Childcare qualification

Job description

About The Role
We have a fantastic opportunity for aLead Early Years Educatorto join our team atWest Street NurseryinBexley. RatedOutstandingby Ofsted.
We are looking for a skilled lead early years educator, who will be a role model and enable the team to deliver high quality inclusive early years education and care.

What we offer:
We are proud to be part of the Early Years Alliance family of early years settings. Founded over 60 years ago, the Alliance is an educational charity dedicated to supporting the delivery of quality early years education and care to children and families.
The Alliance prides itself on being a supportive workplace and offers significant benefits for our team members including:

• 100%discount onchildcare and early education places (applicable to staff working in our early years settings)
• Extensive training and career progression planning, including access to our Learning Management System (LMS)
• The Alliance has invested in FAMLY reducing paperwork and giving you more time to focus on the children.
• A generous workplace pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with additional annual leave for long service.
• Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
• Enhanced sickness pay and paid bereavement leave
• A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
• Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
• Savings of up to 25% on O2 Refresh Airtime Plan on any new phone or tablets
• A dedicated mental health First aider to support your mental well being

Job purpose:
As the Lead Early Years Educator, you will:

• lead a team enabling them to provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for children.
• be a role model for the wider staff team, modelling sensitive and responsive interaction and extending children’s learning
• be a proactive member of the team, providing a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment
• support the nursery management team to deliver high-quality care and education in line with the setting’s policies and procedures.
• be responsible for curriculum planning within the setting
• oversee the setting in the absence of the Assistant Manager and Manager.

Requirements:
Successful applicants for the Lead Early Years Educatorposition will need:

• a minimum Level 3 Early Years Education and Childcare qualification or equivalent.
• post-qualification experience in working in early education and childcare
• a sound understanding of child development and children’s needs with an ability to plan and implement the curriculum in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage, taking into account the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice, safeguarding procedures and equality and diversity considerations

Also, you will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check if your current certificate is not subscribed to the update service.
For the full list of duties and the requirements, please download the job description and person specification which accompanies this advert.

Hours per week: 40
Weeks per year: 52
Interview date: Thursday 21st August 2025