Third In Charge

Bright Horizons; Stretford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

Annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development

Shift pattern

Job summary

Bright Horizons Sale Day Nursery and Preschool invites applications for a Third in Charge role. The post is temporary until June 2026 and based at Sale, Manchester.

You will lead a team to deliver exceptional care and education while upholding safeguarding, health and safety, and strong partnerships with parents and professionals. The successful candidate will hold a Full Level 3+ Early Years qualification, have relevant experience in an Early Years setting, and be confident in decision making

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3+ Early Years qualification required.
• Experience in an Early Years setting, ideally as Third in Charge or Room Leader.
• Confident decision maker with leadership experience.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and compliance with child-protection rules.
• Ability to build trust with colleagues and parents/carers.
• Excellent communication with children and adults.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and inspire a team to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Promote child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding at the nursery.
• Maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents and professionals.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead when required.
• Support retention and occupancy growth; engage with Local Authority guidance.

Skills

Team leadership

Decision making

Safeguarding knowledge

Stakeholder relationships

Communication skills

Education

Early Years Level 3+ qualification

Job description

Nursery: Bright Horizons Sale Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary: £31,990.40 per year

Location: Sale, Manchester

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 Sale nursery, this is a temporary role until June 2026.

Our Benefits

• £31,990.40 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 5 days

*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.