Lead Early Years Practitioner — Inspire Practice & Inclusion

YMCA Fairthorne Group; Southampton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% childcare for YMCA employees

Holiday entitlement 25 days + bank hol

Health & wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work

Job summary

YMCA Fairthorne Group in Southampton seeks a Lead Early Years Practitioner to join the nursery leadership, strengthening practice across the setting and supporting children who may need extra help to thrive.

You’ll coach staff, observe children, and help develop support plans, coordinating referrals for specialist support and embedding high standards of care and safeguarding across rooms and outdoor spaces.

Qualifications

• Ideally, you’ll hold a Level 5 Early Years or Childcare qualification.
• We’re also happy to consider experienced Level 3 practitioners who have the right background and are willing to continue developing.
• You’ll also need a good understanding of safeguarding and health and safety.
• Paediatric First Aid and Designated Safeguarding Lead training would be valuable, but we can support the right person to complete these where needed.
• You’ll need experience of: working in an Early Years setting; supporting improvements in practice; modelling good practice and coaching colleagues; understanding child development; supporting behaviour and additional needs; working with children who may be vulnerable or need additional support.

Responsibilities

• Lead practice across the nursery and support children who may need additional help to thrive.
• Observe children and help identify where additional support is needed.
• Develop appropriate support plans and coordinate referrals for specialist support when required.
• Coach practitioners and model strong Early Years practice to build confidence in SEND, behaviour and inclusion.
• Safeguard and maintain high standards of care and practice across all rooms.

Skills

Level 5 EY qualification

SEND inclusion

Coach staff

Observation skills

Education

Level 5 Early Years/Childcare qualification

Level 3 practitioner background

Job description

YMCA Fairthorne Group in Southampton seeks a Lead Early Years Practitioner to join the nursery leadership, strengthening practice across the setting and supporting children who may need extra help to thrive.

You’ll coach staff, observe children, and help develop support plans, coordinating referrals for specialist support and embedding high standards of care and safeguarding across rooms and outdoor spaces.