Room Leader

Willing Recruitment; Waterlooville; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual leave

Birthday day off

Discounted childcare

Enhanced DBS paid

Uniform provided

Training and development

Supportive management

Leadership career opportunity

Job summary

Willing Recruitment is assisting a Good Ofsted‑rated nursery in Waterlooville to recruit a Room Leader. The role requires leadership of a dedicated room, safeguarding emphasis, and a commitment to child‑led learning across daily activities.

You should hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification with nursery experience and a strong EYFS understanding. You will mentor colleagues, plan engaging experiences and foster a safe, stimulating environment for children.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Early Years qualification or higher.
• Experience in a nursery or Early Years setting.
• Experience as a Room Leader or senior practitioner.
• Strong understanding of the EYFS framework.
• Excellent safeguarding and child protection knowledge.
• Confident in leading, supporting and motivating a team.
• Understanding of child‑led learning and turning interests into experiences.
• Enthusiasm for outdoor learning in daily practice.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of day‑to‑day running of the room.
• Lead by example and support practitioners to deliver high‑quality Early Years practice.
• Create an environment where children feel safe, valued and confident to express themselves.
• Plan engaging experiences around individual interests and developmental stages.
• Encourage independence and offer choices in learning.
• Maximize use of free‑flow indoor/outdoor environments.
• Monitor observations, assessments and learning journeys.
• Mentor colleagues and develop their confidence and practice.
• Build strong relationships with children and families.
• Collaborate with management to maintain high nursery standards.
• Maintain safeguarding and health and safety throughout the setting.

Skills

Team leadership

Child‑led learning

Outdoor learning

Observation skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification or above

Job description

Room Leader – Waterlooville, United Kingdom

Up to £29,200 per year | 40 Hours per Week | Good Ofsted

For children, the best learning often happens when they have the freedom to choose where their curiosity takes them.

This Good Ofsted-rated, purpose-built nursery offers a nurturing and creative environment for children, where play, exploration and independence are central to everyday learning.

With free-flow access between the nursery rooms and garden, children can move naturally between indoor and outdoor experiences, discovering new interests and developing confidence along the way. The team follows a child-led approach, creating opportunities that respond to children’s individual interests rather than making every day look the same.

As Room Leader, you'll bring together hands‑on Early Years practice and team leadership, creating a room where children feel safe and valued while practitioners feel supported to bring their own ideas and strengths to the setting.

Who We're Looking For

• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Previous experience within a nursery or Early Years setting.
• Experience as a Room Leader, Senior Nursery Practitioner, or an experienced practitioner ready to take on leadership responsibility.
• Strong understanding of the EYFS framework and child development.
• Excellent safeguarding and child protection knowledge.
• Confidence leading, supporting and motivating a team.
• An understanding of child‑led learning and how to turn children’s interests into meaningful experiences.
• Enthusiasm for incorporating outdoor learning into everyday practice.

What You'll Receive

• Competitive annual leave package
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Heavily discounted childcare
• Paid enhanced DBS check
• Uniform provided
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Supportive nursery and management team
• Opportunity to develop your Early Years leadership career

What You'll Bring to the Room

• Take ownership of the successful day‑to‑day running of your room.
• Lead by example and support practitioners to deliver high‑quality Early Years practice.
• Create an environment where children feel safe, valued and confident to express themselves.
• Plan engaging experiences around children’s individual interests and developmental stages.
• Encourage independence and give children opportunities to make choices within their learning.
• Make full use of the nursery’s free‑flow indoor and outdoor environments.
• Monitor children’s observations, assessments and learning journeys.
• Support and mentor colleagues, helping them develop their confidence and practice.
• Build positive relationships with children and strong partnerships with families.
• Work closely with the nursery management team to maintain high standards across the setting.
• Maintain excellent safeguarding, health and safety and nursery standards.

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.

Reference: WILL254909/DB

INDCHI

Full-time