Site Manager

Donegal; Cashelshanaghan; On-site; EUR 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four day week

Permanent position

€21 per hour pay

Pension scheme

Scholarship programme

Quality in-house training

Forward-thinking team

Job summary

Wonderyears in Ireland seeks an Assistant Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality Early Learning and Care. You will report to management and drive environment development, curriculum planning and mentoring for Early Years Educators.

Role includes regulatory compliance, staff supervision, CPD coordination and strong family engagement. Four-day week with full-time hours, 8:00–17:30, Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• QQI Level 8 / Hons in Early Years or Business Management.
• Minimum a diploma in Business Management qualification, with a proven track record of overall practical management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Five years of satisfactory relevant managerial experience in the early years field.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support to all staff to ensure high-quality early years education and care.
• Develop and implement processes to support team members in upholding quality standards.
• Foster a positive team culture and promote professional development and reflective practice.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and one-to-one supervision sessions.
• Oversee curriculum development, documentation and CPD planning for staff.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Communication

CPD

Education

Diploma in Business Management

Bachelor's/BA (Hons) in Early Years or equivalent

Job description

4 day working week, 08.00am – 5.30pm Monday – Friday

• Company / Business Name:
• Closing Date for Applications:

October 20, 2026

Job Description

The Assistant Manager will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering quality Early Learning and Care Provision for children and their families.

Reporting to the management regularly and timely.

The programme of work will include responsibility for ensuring the progressive development of the early year’s environment, curriculum planning, and mentoring support for the Early Years Educators.

Qualifications Required

QQI Level 8 / Hons in Early Years or Business Management

• Minimum a diploma in Business Management qualification, with a proven track record of overall practical management experience.
• BSC (hons)/ BA (hons) / QQI FETAC Level 8 equivalent in an early year’s qualification would be an advantage.

Experience Required

Minimum 3 years’ experience within a managerial position

Further Information

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Leadership & Management
• Provide leadership and support to all staff to ensure high-quality early years education and care.
• Develop and implement processes that support team members in upholding quality standards and fulfilling their roles.
• Foster a positive team culture and promote professional development and reflective practice.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and one-to-one supervision sessions.
• Supporting the early years Educators in implementing new practices for curriculum development.
• Identifying areas needing support through direct interactions with the early years Educators.
• Engage in CPD to ensure knowledge and understanding in the early years field is up to date and relevant.
• Researching and Sourcing CPD for the Early Years Educator as and when required.
• Effective communication with management through the delivery of timely reports.
• Regulatory Compliance
• Requiring both an understanding and a through working knowledge of inspection documentation.
• Ensuring all required certificates and supplementary documents for the team are valid and current.
• Ensure full compliance with all relevant legislation, including:
• Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
• Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF)
• Children First Act 2015 and associated child protection guidelines
• Maintain and update all records as required by Tusla, Pobal, and other relevant authorities.
• Prepare for and participate in inspections (Tusla, DES, Pobal, etc.).
• Taking responsibility for the outcomes of all inspections conducted by the relevant authorities.
• Oversee the implementation of the Aistear (Curriculum Framework) and Síolta (Quality Framework).
• Support the team in planning, documenting, and reviewing play-based learning experiences.
• Ensure an inclusive, stimulating, and age-appropriate learning environment for all children.
• Promote a child-led, emergent curriculum that supports children’s well-being, identity, and development.
• Health, Safety & Welfare
• Ensure a safe and hygienic environment in compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Oversee daily risk assessments, fire drills, and health/safety checks.
• Act as Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for child protection, unless delegated otherwise.
• Promote positive behaviour management in line with policy and best practice.
• Family Engagement & Communication
• Foster strong partnerships with parents and families through regular communication, meetings, and involvement.
• Ensure parents are informed of their child’s progress and daily experiences.
• Manage enrolment, orientation, and transition processes.
• Oversee daily operations including enrolments, attendance records, and fee collection (if applicable).
• Administer funding schemes (ECCE, NCS, AIM, etc.) and liaise with Pobal and DCEDIY.
• Manage budgets, petty cash, purchasing, and reporting.
• Prepare and submit all financial information in a timely manner to the Financial Controller.
• Ensure GDPR compliance and secure data handling practices.
• Staff Recruitment & Development
• Ensure adequate staffing levels in line with child-to-staff ratios.
• Assist with the recruitment, induction, and training of staff.
• Assist in maintain up-to-date staff files, qualifications, and CPD records.
• Support staff to meet their CPD obligations and attend training.
• Quality Improvement
• Lead ongoing self-evaluation and quality improvement planning.
• Implement action plans from inspection reports and stakeholder feedback.
• Encourage reflective practice and staff involvement in decision-making.
• Providing ongoing support and observation in early year rooms.
• Researching areas of development ensuring Wonderyears continues to stay ahead and responsive in early-year education.
• Assisting in enhancing the quality of enriching environments (indoors/outdoors).

Qualifications

• Minimum a diploma in Business Management qualification, with a proven track record of overall practical management experience.
• BSC (hons)/ BA (hons) / QQI FETAC Level 8 equivalent in an early year’s qualification would be an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Have at least five-years satisfactory relevant experience in the field of early years care and education.
• Proficient knowledge legal, regulatory and governance framework within the early years’ environment.
• A proven track record of experience in a managerial role.
• Ability to independently compile and compose own correspondence.
• Ability to take initiative and work proactively.
• Has the ability to manage financial resources effectively within a budgetary framework.
• Effectively drives transformation, fosters creativity in staff and address resistance to change.
• Fostering an environment of trust and transparency within the team.
• Fluent in English, with proficiency in written, spoken and comprehension.
• Regulatory Compliance
• Requiring both an understanding and a through working knowledge of inspection documentation.
• Ensuring all required certificates and supplementary documents for the team are valid and current.
• Ensure full compliance with all relevant legislation, including:
• Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
• Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF)
• Children First Act 2015 and associated child protection guidelines
• Maintain and update all records as required by Tusla, Pobal, and other relevant authorities.
• Prepare for and participate in inspections (Tusla, DES, Pobal, etc.).
• Taking responsibility for the outcomes of all inspections conducted by the relevant authorities.
• Oversee the implementation of the Aistear (Curriculum Framework) and Síolta (Quality Framework).
• Support the team in planning, documenting, and reviewing play-based learning experiences.
• Ensure an inclusive, stimulating, and age‑appropriate learning environment for all children.
• Promote a child‑led, emergent curriculum that supports children’s well‑being, identity, and development.
• Health, Safety & Welfare
• Ensure a safe and hygienic environment in compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Oversee daily risk assessments, fire drills, and health/safety checks.
• Act as Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for child protection, unless delegated otherwise.
• Promote positive behaviour management in line with policy and best practice.
• Family Engagement & Communication
• Foster strong partnerships with parents and families through regular communication, meetings, and involvement.
• Ensure parents are informed of their child’s progress and daily experiences.
• Manage enrolment, orientation, and transition processes.
• Oversee daily operations including enrolments, attendance records, and fee collection (if applicable).
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Of good health.
• Ability to work a full 4 day week.
• Flexibility in start and finish times as well as the specific ay off within the week.
• Ability to commute to Letterkenny: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required).

If you are interested in the following, we are the place for you!

What We Offer:

• Full time – Four Day Week
• Permanent Position
• Attractive Pay € 21.00 per hour
• 16 Days Annual Per Year
• Pension Scheme
• Scholarship Programme
• Quality in-house training
• The opportunity to work alongside a forward‑thinking team of Early Years Professionals!