Room Leader - Maternity Cover

Bright Horizons; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in London is seeking a Room Leader for their Purley Nursery. This maternity cover position starts in December 2025 and ends in September 2026. The successful candidate will lead a team to provide exceptional care and education, ensuring the welfare and development of children. A Level 3 Early Years qualification is required, along with a passion for creating inclusive learning environments. Competitive salary and benefits including childcare discounts and professional development opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 50% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Professional development programme access

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an Early Years setting.
• Strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Ability to build trust with colleagues and parents.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support a team in delivering care and education.
• Promote child welfare, health, and safety.
• Maintain partnerships with colleagues, parents, and professionals.

Skills

Leadership and mentoring

Child safeguarding

Communication techniques

Passion for inclusive learning

Education

Level 3 or above Early Years qualification

Job description

Overview

We're looking for a Room Leader to join our Purley Nursery, situated next to Purley railway/tube station. This is a maternity cover position in our preschool room starting in December 2025 and ending in September 2026 with the possibility of continued employment where possible. The nursery offers extra curricular activities such as PE lessons on a Monday morning for over 2 year olds, and on a weekly basis, 'Theatrebugs' sessions for all ages. These sessions allow children to explore stories in new ways through songs, instruments, and imaginary play.

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.

Responsibilities

As a Room Leader, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional 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.

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

Benefits

• From £31,512 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