Third In Charge

Bright Horizons; Beaconsfield; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 50%

Bonus up to £1,500

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Northgate House Day Nursery and Preschool in Beaconsfield is seeking a Third in Charge to lead and mentor a dedicated team delivering high-quality care and education.

You will ensure child welfare, health and safety, safeguarding, and build strong partnerships with colleagues and parents while acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead when required. The role offers a clear path for professional development within a supportive organisation.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education.
• Promote and ensure child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding.
• Maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals to meet each child’s needs.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead at the nursery when required.
• Promote the nursery to support retention and ongoing occupancy growth.
• Engage with the Local Authority to understand the local offering and support practice across all areas of the nursery.

Skills

Confident decision maker

Safeguarding knowledge

Child protection

Partnership building

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Northgate House Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – From £38,376.00 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location - Northgate House (Beaconsifeld)

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 Bright Horizons Northgate House Day Nursery and Preschool.

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

*Subject to T&Cs

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.

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 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

INDCLH

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.