Townhill Community School : HLTA Nursery Lead

Educators; Swansea; Remote; GBP 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Townhill Community School is seeking an exceptional Nursery Lead (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) to lead our large Nursery and Early Years provision. You will guide a dedicated team, ensuring rich, meaningful experiences that support each child’s development and potential.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, develop a high-quality curriculum, and collaborate with colleagues to continually improve provision, with a vision of excellence for every child’s start in education.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of play-based learning and child-centred pedagogy.
• Have a genuine passion for Early Years education and a strong understanding of child development.
• Have the confidence, organisation and leadership skills to manage and motivate a large team of practitioners.
• Be an excellent communicator who can lead by example, support colleagues and manage challenges with confidence and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day organisation and smooth running of our Nursery provision.
• Lead, motivate and support a large team of practitioners, promoting consistency and high standards.
• Champion high-quality, play-based learning, ensuring that the Three Enablers underpin all aspects of provision.
• Ensure children experience a rich, stimulating and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Create and maintain effective environments that promote curiosity, exploration, independence and creativity.
• Support practitioners in understanding and responding to children's individual needs and developmental stages.
• Promote positive relationships with families, recognising the importance of partnership in children's early development.
• Contribute to the ongoing evaluation, development and improvement of Early Years provision.
• Uphold and actively promote the school's vision, ethos and commitment to Putting Children First.

Skills

Early Years expertise

Play-based learning

Child development

Leadership

Team motivation

Communication

Job description

Townhill Community School : HLTA Nursery Lead

Salary: GBP 29,071.00 - 32,061.00 per year.

Grade 6: SCP 11-17 (£29,071 - £32,061)

Responsible to: The Headteacher, members of Senior Leadership and Management Team and the Governing Body

Duration: 1st January 2027 for one year in the first instance, with the vision of being made permanent

About our school

At Townhill Community School, we are proud to be at the heart of our community, driven by our vision of Putting Children First. We are committed to supporting the social, emotional and academic development of every child in a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious environment.

We believe that Early Years is the foundation upon which a child's future learning, development and success is built. We place enormous value on the experiences children have during these formative years, recognising that the relationships they build, the opportunities they encounter and the environment in which they learn can have a lasting impact.

Our school is home to a large, successful and dynamic Nursery and Early Years Unit. Our approach is rooted in authentic, child-centred, play-based learning, driven by the Welsh Government's Three Enablers: Enabling Adults, Engaging Experiences and Effective Environments. We believe that when these three elements work together, children are empowered to become confident, curious, independent and enthusiastic learners.

The Role

We are seeking an exceptional, enthusiastic and committed Nursery Lead (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) to lead our large and dynamic Nursery provision.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about early childhood development and understands the importance of creating the very best possible start for every child. You will lead and inspire a dedicated team of hardworking practitioners, ensuring that our Nursery provides rich, meaningful and memorable experiences that support every child's development and potential.

The successful candidate will have the confidence and ability to lead a large team, manage the day-to-day complexities of a busy Early Years setting and work collaboratively with colleagues to continually develop and improve provision.

This is a particularly exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual who may aspire to pursue a future career in teaching. The role will provide invaluable leadership and practical experience, offering an excellent stepping stone for someone wishing to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence within an educational setting.

What we are looking for

• Have a genuine passion for Early Years education and a strong understanding of child development.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of play-based learning and child-centred pedagogy.
• Have a secure knowledge of the Welsh Government's Three Enablers and understand how these translate into high-quality Early Years provision.
• Have the confidence, organisation and leadership skills to manage and motivate a large team of dedicated practitioners.
• Be an excellent role model, able to inspire others and establish high expectations across the Nursery.
• Be innovative, reflective, proactive and adaptable within a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Place children's wellbeing, inclusion and equity at the heart of everything they do.
• Be committed to supporting children with a wide range of needs, including those with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
• Build strong, positive relationships with children, families, colleagues and the wider community.
• Be an excellent communicator who can lead by example, support colleagues and manage challenges with confidence and professionalism.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to our school vision and core values, particularly our belief in Putting Children First.
• Be enthusiastic about professional development and keen to contribute to the ongoing development of our Early Years provision.

What we offer

• The opportunity to lead a large, well-established and successful Nursery with significant scope for innovation and development.
• A hardworking, committed and supportive team of Early Years practitioners.
• A welcoming school community with a strong vision and clear core values.
• Opportunities for high-quality professional learning and leadership development.
• Valuable experience for those considering or aspiring to a future career in teaching.
• A school culture that prioritises wellbeing, inclusion, ambition and community engagement.
• Enthusiastic, engaging children who deserve the very best start to their educational journey.

Key expectations

• Lead the day-to-day organisation and smooth running of our Nursery provision.
• Lead, motivate and support a large team of practitioners, promoting consistency and high standards.
• Champion high-quality, play-based learning, ensuring that the Three Enablers underpin all aspects of provision.
• Ensure children experience a rich, stimulating and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Create and maintain effective environments that promote curiosity, exploration, independence and creativity.
• Support practitioners in understanding and responding to children's individual needs and developmental stages.
• Promote positive relationships with families, recognising the importance of partnership in children's early development.
• Contribute to the ongoing evaluation, development and improvement of Early Years provision.
• Uphold and actively promote the school's vision, ethos and commitment to Putting Children First.

Safeguarding

Within Swansea Council there is a "Safeguarding is Everybody's Business" principle, and this applies to all Swansea Council employees, elected members, volunteers and contractors. Further details can be found at https://www.swansea.gov.uk/corporatesafeguarding