Play Development Team Leader

Early Years - the organisation for young children; Belfast, Augher; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Northern Ireland is seeking a Play Development Team Leader. The role involves developing high-quality early year services for children aged ante-natal to four. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership experience and a relevant qualification in childcare. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in children's lives within the community.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in leading/managing/supervising staff in a related setting.
• Significant experience in delivering Early Years play-based programs.

Responsibilities

• Support and develop community-based early years services for children.
• Ensure the implementation of high-quality early education environments.
• Work with families to promote positive parenting.

Skills

Leadership skills

Experience with early years education

Communication skills

Education

QCF level 5 in Childcare Learning and Development

BA Hons in Early Year Childhood Studies

Job description

6c Wildflower Way, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT12 6TA United Kingdom

Play Development Team Leader

Clogher Valley SureStart - Augher

Location: Clogher Valley SureStart

Hours: 37 hours per week

Tenure: one year, with possibility of extension

Salary: NJC Scale 6, Point 18-22 (£30,559-£32,654) per annum pro rata

Organisation: Early Years – the organisation for young children

Overview

Join Early Years – the organisation for young children as Play Development Team Leader.

We are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.

Role purpose

As Play Development Team Leader you will support and develop quality community based early years’ services for children ante-natal to four years of age in line with SureStart targets and as directed by the SureStart Project Manager.

You will ensure children attending the SureStart programmes have the best start in life by providing a safe, welcoming, high quality, inclusive early education environment.

The postholder is working to improve the ability to learn, improve health and social development of children, ante-natal to four years of age.

You will work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as ‘first educators’.

The post holder is required to overseeing the implementation, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of a range of high quality SureStart services.

Qualifications and experience

We are looking for people who:

At the closing date have:

1. QCF level 5 in Childcare Learning and Development (Management) or equivalent.
2. Two Years’ experience in leading/managing/supervising staff in a family support, early years, community work or health setting.
3. Significant experience of developing and delivering Early Years play based programme for children and adults gained in a working capacity.
4. Driving license and access to a car.

Additional qualification

1. A BA Hons in Early Year Childhood Studies or equivalent.

How to apply

An information pack containing the job description and personnel specification is available by clicking here. Please note, the information pack will not be available after the job posting closes therefore you may want to download it.

As part of the application process, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the criteria as outlined above and, on the personnel specification, and provide a copy of your CV. Shortlisting will be completed based on the information contained with the application form, therefore it is important to clearly outline how you meet the criteria. Please note that your CV will only be used to support your application in assessing employment history.

Once you begin the application, it must be completed in one session, as there is no option to save and return to it later.

Closing date: Tuesday 21 October 2025

Interviews: Thursday 30 October 2025

A reserve list may be held for up to six months for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via email.

Contact details

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Equal opportunities

Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.

Location Clogher Valley SureStart - Augher

Salary NJC Scale 6, Point 18-22 (£30,559-£32,654) per annum pro rata