Room Leader

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 50% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

24/7 virtual GP and wellbeing benefits

Professional development programme

Job summary

Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery & Preschool in Chelmsford, UK, is seeking a Preschool Room Leader to lead a dedicated team, deliver high‑quality early years learning, and build strong relationships with families. The role is full‑time (40 hours) in a welcoming, Ofsted-outstanding setting with excellent benefits.

You will oversee care and education, ensure safeguarding, and support children to reach milestones in a warm, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Previous experience working within an Early Years setting – ideally as a Room Leader, Nursery Nurse, Nursery Practitioner, Early Years Educator or similar.
• Passion for creating fun and inclusive learning environments.
• Strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children.
• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/carers.
• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults.

Responsibilities

• As a Room Leader, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education, to help all children within the room to develop and meet their individual milestones.
• You will promote and ensure child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding, and maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals to meet each child’s needs.

Skills

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Early years experience

Inclusive learning environments

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

Partnerships with parents

Effective communication

Education

Level 3 or above Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery & Preschool, 51 Centenary Way, Springfield. Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 6AU

Salary – Starting from £31,500 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Hours – Full time - 40 hours, Monday - Friday

Location – Chelmsford, CM1 6AU

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for a Preschool Room Leader to join our lovely team at Chelmsford Day Nursery & Preschool.

Our Ofsted-rated Outstanding Nursery offers a warm, welcoming space where children thrive through play, creativity, and learning.

Conveniently located with fantastic transport links, we’re easily accessible for busy parents commuting from all directions—whether by car, bus, or train.

Our Benefits

• Starting from £31,500 per annum
• Childcare discount of 50% for first child
• Enhanced parental leave
• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach

*Subject to T&Cs*

The Role

As a Room Leader, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education, to help all children within the room to develop and meet their individual milestones. You will promote and ensure child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding, and maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals to meet each child’s needs.

What We’re Looking For

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification
• Previous experience working within an Early Years setting – ideally as a Room Leader, Nursery Nurse, Nursery Practitioner, Early Years Educator or similar
• Passion for creating fun and inclusive learning environments
• Strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children
• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carers
• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.