Room Leader - Maternity Cover

Bright Horizons UK; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery organization in London is seeking a Room Leader for a maternity cover position at Purley Day Nursery. The ideal candidate will have a relevant Level 3 qualification and experience in Early Years settings. This role involves leading a team to provide exceptional care and education, developing fun learning environments, and ensuring child welfare. The nursery offers competitive benefits and a supportive workplace culture.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 50% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Access to a professional development programme

24/7 virtual GP appointments

Qualifications

• Previous experience working within an Early Years setting.
• Experience ideally as a Room Leader or similar role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Promote and ensure child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding.
• Maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals.

Skills

Passion for creating fun and inclusive learning environments

Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships

Strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Strong knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection

Ability to use a variety of communication techniques

Education

Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification

Job description

Overview

Nursery – Bright Horizons Purley Day Nursery and Preschool

Job Type - Fixed Term Contract: December 2025- Septemeber 2026

Salary – From £31,512 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Purley, 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 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.

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

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

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.

If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today!

INDLEH

We look forward to receiving your application!

If you experience any problems, please [e-mail] we will be happy to help.