Nursery Third in Charge

Finkley Nurseries; West of England; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days holiday

Birthday off

Staff training

Job summary

Avon Valley Nursery and preschool is seeking a confident Third in Charge to support the Nursery Manager and Deputy in running the setting. You will bridge room leadership and nursery management while remaining hands-on with children and staff.

You’ll coordinate staffing, oversee daily priorities, support safeguarding, and contribute to occupancy growth, show rounds and parent communication as part of an established leadership team.

Qualifications

• Level 3+ Early Years qualification required.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS is essential.
• Experience leading a room or team in Early Years.
• Good safeguarding knowledge is necessary.
• Proactive, solution-focused approach with initiative.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day running alongside Manager and Deputy.
• Coordinate staffing, rotas and daily priorities.
• Support parent enquiries and show rounds.
• Develop occupancy and enrolments.
• Support safeguarding and quality checks.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

EYFS knowledge

Decision making

Communication with parents

Proactive/problem-solving

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Third in Charge – Early Years

Location: Keynsham
Hours: Full-Time – 38 or 40 hours per week over 4 days
Pay: Up to £14.80 per hour

ABOUT US

We don’t mean to brag... but we’re kind of a big deal!

Avon Valley Nursery and preschool is part of the Attraction Nurseries family — a growing childcare group passionate about creating incredible early years experiences for children, families and our teams.

We believe nursery should be full of adventure, curiosity, laughter and opportunities to learn — and behind every amazing nursery is an equally amazing team.

Our ethos says it all:

Happy Children. Happy Parents. Happy Staff.

We’re looking for someone ready to take that next step into nursery management and become an important part of our leadership team.

That’s where you come in...

THE ROLE (IN PLAIN ENGLISH)

We’re looking for a confident and ambitious Third in Charge to work alongside our Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, helping lead the day-to-day running of the nursery.

Think of this role as the bridge between room leadership and nursery management.

You’ll still be visible, hands‑on and involved with the children and team, but you’ll also start taking greater responsibility across the whole nursery.

From supporting staffing and rotas to handling parent enquiries, safeguarding, show rounds, quality checks and helping keep the nursery running smoothly — you’ll get real management experience while being supported by an established leadership team.

If you’re already a strong room leader or find yourself thinking “I’m ready for more”… this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

WHAT YOU’LL ACTUALLY BE DOING

Helping Lead the Nursery

• Work alongside the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager with the day-to-day running of the setting

• Step up and take responsibility when members of the management team are unavailable

• Help coordinate staffing, ratios, rotas, breaks and deployment across the nursery

• Support the management team with daily priorities and operational tasks

• Help ensure every room is running effectively and maintaining high standards

• Be a visible, approachable member of the nursery leadership team

• Spot problems, find solutions and help keep the day running smoothly

Enquiries, Show Rounds & Occupancy

You’ll start getting involved in the business side of running a successful nursery too.

• Respond to parent enquiries professionally and confidently

• Support prospective families from their initial enquiry through to joining the nursery

• Conduct nursery show rounds and showcase what makes us special

• Support the Manager and Deputy with enrolments and settling‑in arrangements

• Help maintain positive relationships with existing families

• Support open days, nursery events and local marketing initiatives

• Understand the importance of occupancy and help the management team grow the nursery

Championing Amazing EYFS Practice

Great management starts with great Early Years practice.

• Support high‑quality EYFS practice throughout the nursery

• Help Daily Leads and Practitioners with planning, observations and assessments

• Monitor room environments and ensure all seven areas of learning are represented

• Support effective key person practice

• Work alongside the SENCO to ensure children receive the right support

• Complete learning walks and quality checks

• Share ideas, challenge practice positively and celebrate what’s working well

Safeguarding – Everyone’s Responsibility

Safeguarding is a huge part of nursery leadership responsibility.

• Maintain strong knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures

• Support the DSL and management team with safeguarding responsibilities

• Recognise, record and report concerns appropriately

• Support staff who raise safeguarding concerns

• Ensure safeguarding procedures are being followed throughout the nursery

• Help maintain accurate safeguarding records

• Continue developing your knowledge so you’re confident making decisions when it matters

Supporting & Developing the Team

• Lead by example and set high standards for the team

• Support and coach Practitioners, Apprentices and Daily Leads

• Help induct and welcome new team members

• Provide positive, constructive feedback

• Support Peer Observations of Practice (POPs) and learning walks

• Contribute to staff meetings, supervisions and development conversations

• Help create a culture where people feel supported, valued and accountable

Health, Safety & Compliance

You’ll help the management team make sure the nursery isn’t just fun — it’s safe, organised and compliant too.

• Complete and review daily risk assessments and safety checks

• Monitor hygiene, food safety and infection control standards

• Ensure emergency procedures are understood and followed

• Identify maintenance or safety concerns and elevate them appropriately

• Support fire drills, lockdown procedures and other emergency practices

• Help keep the nursery ready for internal audits and Ofsted inspections

Being There for Our Families

Our parents trust us with the most important people in their world.

You’ll help make sure they feel that trust every day.

• Build strong, professional relationships with parents and carers

• Support with parent questions, concerns and feedback

• Communicate confidently through Famly and face‑to‑face

• Support new families during settling‑in periods

• Work professionally with external agencies and other professionals

• Help create the warm, welcoming atmosphere we want every family to experience

Keeping Everything Running Smoothly

There’s some admin too... we can’t make everything glamorous!

You’ll support with:

• Daily and weekly nursery checklists

• Rotas, registers and staffing

• Famly records and communications

• Planning and quality trackers

• Health & safety documentation

• Safeguarding records

• SEN, planning and paperwork time

• Nursery events and communications

Being organised is going to be your superpower.

WHY THIS ROLE IS AWESOME

Maybe you’re already a Daily Lead or experienced Room Leader.

You love leading your room, but you’re ready to understand what happens beyond those four walls.

This role gives you the opportunity to:

Gain genuine nursery management experience

Work directly alongside your Nursery Manager and Deputy

Learn about occupancy, enquiries and show rounds

Develop your safeguarding leadership

Support and influence the whole nursery team

Get involved with compliance and Ofsted preparation

Develop your confidence making management decisions

Prepare yourself for your next step into Deputy Management

You won’t just be given a new title.

We want to teach you how to become a great nursery leader.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING WITH US

Up to 34 days holiday, plus your birthday off

Opportunities to increase your pay through our WOW Moments, Planning & Checklists programme

Attendance bonuses

A paid volunteer day to support a charity of your choice

50% childcare discount

Free uniform & DBS

Referral rewards of up to £750

Free family entry to Avon Valley Farm Park

Health Assured wellbeing support

Access to 100+ online training courses

THE PERFECT CANDIDATE

You’re someone who...

Naturally takes the lead

Can see the bigger picture, not just what’s happening in your own room

Is organised and loves getting things done

Can make decisions and use their initiative

Supports colleagues while still holding high standards

Communicates confidently with parents and professionals

Keeps calm when the nursery gets busy

Wants to learn more about the management side of Early Years

And most importantly...

You’re ready for your next challenge.

Essential

Level 3 or above Early Years qualification

Strong knowledge of the EYFS

Previous experience leading a room/team within Early Years

Good safeguarding knowledge

Confidence supporting and guiding other practitioners

A proactive, solution-focused approach

Through mentoring, leadership experience and training, we’ll help you build the skills you need to take that next step.

You’ll have more responsibility, more influence and more opportunities to develop — while still having the support of your Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager around you.

Your management journey could start right here.

Attraction Nurseries is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. All offers of employment are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and safer recruitment procedures.