Third in Charge

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC.; Dartford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge in Dartford, Kent, is seeking a Third in Charge to lead and inspire a nursery team delivering high‑quality care and education. You will ensure child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead when required, and collaborate with parents and professionals to support each child's development.

The role requires Level 3+ Early Years qualification, previous leadership in early years, and a strong commitment to safeguarding and

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience in an Early Years setting.
• Confident decision maker with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection requirements.
• Ability to build trust with colleagues and parents.
• Effective communication with children and adults.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support nursery team to deliver high‑quality care and education.
• Promote child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding.
• Maintain partnerships with parents and professionals to meet each child’s needs.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead when required.
• Support retention and occupancy growth through positive practice.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Level 3 Early Years

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge

Salary – From £32,448 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience) Location – Dartford, Kent

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 Springfield Lodge nursery. At our Dartford nursery, we’re proud to offer a spacious outdoor garden and a dedicated on‑site Forest School area, giving children rich opportunities for exploration and learning. Our long‑standing, experienced staff team provides a warm, consistent environment for every child.

The setting is conveniently located close to local transport links and also benefits from an on‑site car park for those who drive. We are committed to supporting our team with continual training and clear pathways for progression within their role.

Benefits

• 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 *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

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. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

We believe our people’s potential is endless and with this in mind, we aspire to create an environment where our colleagues can thrive and accomplish the things they thought impossible.

We care passionately about what we do, and our HEART values and principles help us support one another in the work that we do each day. These are quite literally at the HEART of our organisation’s ethos and culture as it helps us to provide a working environment that supports professionalism, growth and diversity.

We are passionate about our people’s ongoing learning and development. Our learning and leading with HEART framework supports each Bright Horizons colleague on the first steps of their leadership journey, whether that includes our 'World-Class Welcome' induction or our extensive ongoing training programme. Either way we want you to feel valued and invested in!

Celebrating in the accomplishments of our people is an essential part of our culture. We believe in the power of “thank you” and throughout the year, in ways big and small, formal and informal, we show our appreciation for employees at all levels. We have many ways to acknowledge and celebrate our people, including our very popular “employee appreciation month”. This is a chance for everyone to share their gratitude to one another, across the whole company. Whether it is a “thank you” placed on our website, a chocolate pizza, team lunch or an ice cream van visit, it is our way of showing each other we care and appreciate everything we do.

Each year, we have our annual 'Awards of Excellence' events; whether you are an award winner or cheering on a fellow team member, these formal award occasions are opportunities to come together and celebrate one another.

By creating this account you acknowledge that Bright Horizons will collect, store and process any of your personal data provided in respect of your application and employment in accordance with our Employee Privacy Notice. https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/statutory-information/privacy-notice-employees.