Nursery Room Leader

LJ Recruitment; Colchester; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£14/hour

38 hours/week

4-day week

Flexible day off

8am-6pm with 30min lunch

Countryside location

Friendly team

Leadership opportunity

Job summary

LJ Recruitment is seeking a Nursery Team Lead on a maternity cover basis in a countryside setting on the Suffolk/Essex border. 38 hours per week across 4 days, 8am-6pm with a 30-minute lunch.

The role leads a childcare team, provides high-quality care and education, and supports day-to-day nursery operations.

Ideal candidate has Level 3 in Early Years/Childcare and at least 1 year of experience, with strong safeguarding and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years/Childcare.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in an early years setting.
• Confident leading a team and acting as a role model.
• Passion for working with young children.
• Strong communication and safeguarding knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the nursery team daily.
• Provide high-quality care and education for children.
• Create a safe, welcoming learning environment.
• Support planning, observations and child development.
• Act as a positive role model for staff.
• Maintain safeguarding, health and safety standards.
• Assist the Nursery Manager with smooth running.
• Foster an inclusive, supportive team culture.

Skills

Level 3 EY/Childcare

Early years experience

Team leadership

Communication skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Childcare

Education

Level 3 qualification in Early Years/Childcare

Job description

Nursery Team Lead - Maternity Cover

Location: Beautiful countryside setting on the Suffolk/Essex border
Salary: £14.00 per hour
Hours: 38 hours per week | 4 days per week
Working Hours: 8:00am - 6:00pm, with a 30-minute lunch break
Contract: Maternity Cover
Day Off: Flexible

About the Role

We are looking for a passionate, experienced and enthusiastic Nursery Team Lead to join our friendly childcare team in a beautiful heart-of-the-countryside setting on the Suffolk/Essex border.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Level 3 practitioner who is ready to take the next step in their career and play an important role in supporting the day-to-day running of the nursery.

As Team Lead, you will help create a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive, while supporting and guiding the wider nursery team.

This position is offered on a maternity cover contract, working 38 hours per week across 4 days, with flexibility around your regular day off.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the nursery team on a day-to-day basis.
• Provide high-quality care and education for children, ensuring their individual needs are met.
• Create a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment for children to learn and develop.
• Support staff with planning, observations and children's development.
• Act as a positive role model for the wider nursery team.
• Build strong, professional relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety and nursery policies are consistently followed.
• Help maintain high standards of care, cleanliness and organisation.
• Support the Nursery Manager with the smooth running of the setting.
• Encourage a positive, supportive and inclusive team culture.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years/Childcare.
• Has a minimum of 1 years' experience working within an early years setting.
• Is confident working as part of a team and taking a lead when required.
• Has a genuine passion for working with young children.
• Is caring, reliable, organised and approachable.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Can build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Understands the importance of safeguarding and providing high-quality early years care.
• Is enthusiastic about developing both themselves and those around them.

What We Offer

• £14.00 per hour
• 38 hours per week
• 4-day working week
• Flexible day off
• 8am-6pm working pattern with a 30-minute lunch
• A beautiful countryside location on the Suffolk/Essex border
• A friendly and supportive nursery team
• The opportunity to take on a leadership role within a nurturing early years environment
• A rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference to children's early development