Lead Early Years Educator

Nursery World; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% discount on childcare

Extensive training and LMS access

Generous workplace pension

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Birthday leave

Enhanced sickness pay & bereavement

Referral payment scheme up to £300

Employee Assistance Programme

O2 discounts

Mental health first aider

Job summary

Nursery World in Erith is seeking a Lead Early Years Educator to join Yarnton Way Nursery. You will lead a team to deliver high-quality inclusive early years education and care.

This is a full-time role (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year). The Alliance offers extensive training, pensions, generous leave, and wellbeing support. Interview date: Friday 21st August 2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 Early Years Education and Childcare qualification or equivalent.
• Post-qualification experience in working in early education and childcare.
• Strong understanding of child development and EYFS; plan and implement curriculum accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for children.
• Be a role model for the wider staff team, modelling sensitive and responsive interaction.
• Provide a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment for all children.
• Support nursery management to deliver high-quality care and education following policies.
• Be responsible for curriculum planning within the setting.
• Oversee the setting in the absence of the Assistant Manager and Manager.

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Curriculum planning

Safeguarding

Education

Level 3 Early Years Education and Childcare qualification

Job description

About The Role

We have a fantastic opportunity for a

arnton Way Nursery in Erith. Rated 9.1 on Day Nurseries.

Job Details

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Lead Early Years Educator to join our team at Yarnton Way Nursery in Erith. Rated 9.1 on Day Nurseries.

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 on childcare 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 Educator position 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: Friday 21st August 2026