Senior Nursery Practitioner/third In Charge

Time for Nursery; Morecambe; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare provider in Morecambe is seeking a qualified and experienced individual to fulfill a key leadership role in their nursery and after-school club. The successful candidate will support the Nursery Manager, mentor staff, and lead daily operations, ensuring high standards of care and education are maintained. This full-time, permanent position offers a vibrant working environment focused on the growth and development of children. Benefits include company events and free on-site parking.

Benefits

Childcare Company events

Company pension

Free parking

On-site parking

Qualifications

• Minimum Early Years Level 3 qualification or above.
• Previous experience as a Third in Charge or Nursery Room Leader.
• Strong leadership, communication, delegating and mentoring skills are essential.
• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, and early years frameworks is a must.

Responsibilities

• Support management and mentor staff/apprentices/students to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Lead and support colleagues in monitoring and recording children's progress.
• Inspire the team to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Help implement policies and procedures.
• Assist the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager with daily operations.
• Step into management duties in the absence of the Manager and Deputy Manager.
• Oversee the day-to-day running of a specific nursery room.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and safeguarding practices.
• Perform administrative tasks as needed.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Mentoring skills

Knowledge of safeguarding

Knowledge of health and safety

Knowledge of early years frameworks

Education

Early Years Level 3 qualification or above

Job description

Includes supporting the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, overseeing the whole Nursery & after school club daily operations, and taking on management duties when they are absent. Key responsibilities involve maintaining high standards of confidentiality. Delivering a high standard of childcare, education, and safety, mentoring staff, overseeing all rooms/club/managing a specific room, as well as receiving designated supernumerary time out for senior role duties and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations set out by Ofsted/EYFS & nurseries/okc policies and procedures. The role is a key leadership position, focusing on improving the overall quality of both settings and ensuring a nurturing and stimulating environment for children. This position is not necessarily office based, you may be required to work and support staff and children in all age groups within the nursery and at our after-school club.

Key responsibilities

• Support management and mentor staff/apprentices/students to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Lead and support colleagues in monitoring and recording children's progress.
• Inspire the team to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Help implement policies and procedures.

Daily operations and management

• Assist the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager with daily operations.
• Step into management duties in the absence of the Manager and Deputy Manager (i.e Taking calls, dealing with unannounced visits from prospective customers, viewing, outside agencies, including Ofsted, staffing)
• Oversee the day-to-day running of a specific nursery room.

Child welfare and development

• Maintain a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children.
• Ensure high standards of care and education, often in line with frameworks like the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Monitor and support children with additional needs.
• Act as a key person for a group of children, supporting transitions.
• Administering First Aid as and when required.

Compliance and administration

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and safeguarding practices.
• Maintain a safe and stimulating nursery environment.
• Perform administrative tasks as needed.

Required qualifications and skills

• Minimum Early Years Level 3 qualification or above.
• Previous experience as a Third in Charge or Nursery Room Leader.
• Strong leadership, communication, delegating and mentoring skills are essential.
• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, and early years frameworks is a must.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits

Childcare Company events Company pension Free parking On-site parking

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 04/01/2026