Room Leader - Mat Cover

Bright Horizons; Lewisham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 50%

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays +

Pension

Wellbeing benefits and 24/7 virtual GP

Careers coach access

40-hour shifts over 4 or 5 days

Job summary

Bright Horizons Maythorne Cottages Day Nursery and Preschool in London is seeking a Room Leader for maternity cover from August 2026 to August 2027. You will lead a dedicated team within a 2-3 room nursery, ensuring exceptional care and education while safeguarding every child’s wellbeing.

The role offers supportive DBS checks and opportunities for continued employment. The nursery serves children aged 3 months to 3 years, with strong partnerships and 4 rooms including two outdoor spaces.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and inspire a team to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Ensure child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding in the room.
• Develop partnerships with colleagues, parents and professionals to meet each child’s needs.

Skills

Leadership

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Early Years Level 3 or above

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Maythorne Cottages Day Nursery and Preschool

Job Type – Maternity Cover – August 2026-August 2027

Salary – From £32,864 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Hither Green, London

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 Room Leader to join our Maythorne Cottages Nursery, situated in Hither Green, London. This is a maternity cover position in our 2-3 room from August 2026 – August 2027 with the opportunity for continued employment.

Maythorne Cottages is a beautiful nursery located in the heart of Hither Green, we are steps away from Hither green station and have great links to London Bridge, Lewisham and Kent areas.

Our nursery takes children aged 3 months - 3 years and we work in strong partnership with Beacon road nursery which is our pre-school unit. We thrive to provide quality childcare and education consistently with all age groups. The nursery consists of 4 rooms, with 2 great outdoors spaces.

Our Benefits

• From £32,864 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
• Shift options: 40 hours over 4 or 5 days

*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.

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.