Third in Charge

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 50% for first child

Bonus up to £1,500 based on Ofsted/ins

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits including 24/7 GP

Career development and coaching

Job summary

Bright Horizons Chineham Park Day Nursery and Preschool is seeking a Third in Charge to lead and inspire a team delivering high-quality early years care and education in Basingstoke. The role focuses on safeguarding, health and safety, and strong partnerships with parents and professionals.

You will also support occupancy growth and liaison with Local Authority, with DBS checks and safeguarding duties as part of the post. Level 3+ EY qualifications and prior EY leadership experience are required.

Qualifications

• Confident decision maker with experience leading others.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and related legislation.
• Ability to build trust and work with colleagues and parents.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support a team to deliver high standards of care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead when required and promote occupancy growth.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Communication

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery: Bright Horizons Chineham Park Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary: £30,754 - £38,368 (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Welcome bonus £1000 - subject to T&C's

Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire

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 Third in Charge to join our Chineham park nursery.

The nursery is located on Chineham Business Park well served by bus routes: 6, 7, 655, 656 & 657. The setting is open Monday to Friday 7.30am – 6pm and offers childcare to 125 children between the ages of 3 months to 5 years, set out over five different rooms, each tailored to a different age group.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 50% for first child*
• Competitive bonus of up to £1,500, awarded in line with Ofsted inspection outcomes
• 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

The Role

As a Third in Charge, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education. 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. When required, you will also act as Designated Safeguarding Lead at the nursery, promote the nursery to support retention and ongoing occupancy growth, and engage with the Local Authority to understand the local offering and support practice across all areas of the nursery.

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 Third in Charge, Room Leader, Early Years Educator or similar
• Confident decision maker, with previous experience providing support and leadership to others
• 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.

Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.