Room Leader

Willing care; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off

Pension

Discounted childcare

Benefits portal

Health & wellbeing package

Sick pay

Training & development

Career progression

Job summary

Willing care in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Level 3 Room Leader to join an award-winning nursery with excellent Ofsted ratings. The role focuses on leading a room, mentoring staff, and delivering high-quality indoor and outdoor learning through vibrant Forest School activities.

You will plan learning experiences, monitor progress, and build strong connections with families while upholding safeguarding and health & safety standards.

Qualifications

• Full Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent).
• Previous Room Leader, Deputy Room Leader, or senior practitioner with leadership ambitions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day running of your room while maintaining high standards of care and education.
• Inspire, mentor and support practitioners to deliver engaging learning experiences.
• Plan activities that foster curiosity, creativity and independence.
• Utilise the nursery's outdoor facilities, Forest School, mud kitchens and gardens.
• Monitor and support each child’s learning journey and progress.
• Build strong relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies are followed.
• Be prepared for safer recruitment checks, references, and right-to-work verification.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Outdoor learning

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Level 3 Room Leader to join an award-winning, Good Ofsted-rated nursery where outdoor learning is just as important as what's taught indoors. Purpose-built to inspire young minds, the nursery provides bright, engaging learning environments alongside impressively large outdoor spaces designed to encourage curiosity and adventure. Children enjoy daily access to mud kitchens, vegetable patches, and a dedicated Forest School, creating endless opportunities to investigate, imagine, and develop a love of the natural world. As Room Leader, you'll have the opportunity to shape children's learning experiences while leading and supporting your team. You'll create an environment where children feel confident to explore, practitioners feel motivated to succeed, and families feel welcomed and valued from the moment they walk through the door.,

• Lead the day-to-day running of your room, maintaining exceptional standards of care and education.
• Inspire, mentor, and support practitioners to deliver engaging learning experiences.
• Plan activities that encourage children's curiosity, creativity, and independence.
• Make full use of the nursery's outstanding outdoor facilities, including the Forest School, mud kitchens, and vegetable gardens.
• Monitor children's progress and ensure their individual learning journeys are well supported.
• Build strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Promote a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child can flourish.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies are consistently followed.
• All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with safeguarding responsibilities.
• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent).
• Previous experience as a Room Leader, Deputy Room Leader, or an experienced Senior Nursery Practitioner ready to step into a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework and safeguarding requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• A passion for outdoor learning and creating inspiring play experiences.
• A positive and supportive approach to leading a team.
• Up to £29,600 per year | Level 3 | 40 Hours per Week, Salary of up to £29,600 per year
• Day off on your birthday
• Pension scheme
• Discounted childcare
• Benefits portal
• Health and wellbeing package
• Sick pay scheme
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Opportunity to work for an award-winning nursery group
• Excellent career progression opportunities