Early Childhood Specialist

TN United Kingdom; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Early Childhood Specialist to lead and support nursery teams in delivering high-quality education and care. This full-time, field-based role involves coaching, mentoring, and ensuring regulatory compliance while fostering an environment of continuous improvement. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with various teams to implement best practices and enhance the quality of early childhood provision across the UK. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in the field of early education, backed by a company that values its employees and their development.

Benefits

Discounted childcare of 40%

Up to 36 days holiday per year

Smart Health access

Discounts across high street brands

Employee Appreciation events

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experienced Early Childhood Specialist with a proven track record in large education providers.
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to support teams in regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Providing pedagogical and nursery management advice and support.
• Using evidence-based systems to monitor quality and drive improvements.
• Enhancing the capability of regional nursery teams through professional development.

Skills

Leadership

Pedagogical Advice

Quality Improvement

Regulatory Compliance

Coaching and Mentoring

Communication

Education

Level 3 in Early Childhood Education

Relevant Degree

Postgraduate Qualifications (QTS or Early Years Teacher Status)

Job description

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Early Childhood Specialist, field, based, UK

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Client:

Bright Horizons

Location:

field, based, UK

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

c378f6a56f3c

Job Views:

2

Posted:

08.05.2025

Expiry Date:

22.06.2025

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Job Description:

Early Childhood Specialist

Need to be Based: Surrey or Sussex

Full Time / Field-based role

Salary £doe plus car allowance

Closing Date 31/5/25

The Role

The Early Childhood Specialist is a leadership role within the Divisional Operations team in Bright Horizons UK, with responsibility for providing hands-on pedagogical advice and support for nursery teams. This involves conducting regular nursery visits to ensure high-quality care and education practices that meet the needs of children and families.

The role works closely with the Regional Director, Nursery Managers, PR&D team, Health & Safety, Safeguarding, HR, and Operations teams to develop best practices in teaching and learning and ensure high-quality nursery environments.

The ECS is responsible for monitoring nursery practices, coaching, mentoring, and training practitioners to deliver service excellence. This includes leading internal change, ensuring policy and practice are applied successfully to foster pedagogical innovation and safety.

The post-holder will also work with the PR&D team and Nursery Managers to implement the BH curriculum, improve practices based on observations, nursery visits, regulatory outcomes, and audits, and support regulatory compliance to achieve Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes. They will support the ongoing development of the Quality Improvement Framework and elements of the Nurture Approach, including the Bright Beginnings Curriculum, SEND/ASN, and Thrive.

What We Can Offer You:

Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Discounted childcare of 40% (subject to availability)
• Up to 36 days holiday per year, with the option to buy additional days
• Smart Health access, including 24/7 Virtual GP, fitness programs, and wellbeing support
• Discounts across high street brands, travel, utilities, and days out
• Employee Appreciation events, including annual Awards of Excellence
• Flexible working options

Why Bright Horizons?

We are driven by our HEART values (Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork). We’ve been voted a Great Place to Work since 2006 and have received awards for wellbeing, development, and women’s inclusion. Our charity, Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, supports children and families in crisis, and each employee is entitled to a paid volunteer day annually.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Providing pedagogical and nursery management advice and support, collaborating with ECSs, RDs, PR&D, Operations, Safeguarding, HR, and Health & Safety colleagues, and external partners to ensure consistency across UK early childhood provision.
• Using evidence-based systems and tools to monitor quality and drive improvements, leading to better inspection outcomes.
• Enhancing the capability of regional nursery teams through support, guidance, and professional development activities.
• Supporting HR and operational teams in recruiting nursery managers and developing induction procedures.
• Advising colleagues on EC regulation and inspection to ensure regulatory compliance and positive environments.
• Engaging in personal and professional development, including research forums and pedagogy updates based on national and international best practices.

What We Are Looking For:

• Experienced Early Childhood Specialist with a proven track record in large education providers or local authorities, delivering high-quality provision and achieving excellent inspection outcomes.
• Experience in driving quality improvements, monitoring impact, and supporting change and innovation.
• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to support teams and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Significant experience (minimum 3 years) in early childhood, with knowledge of legislative frameworks, safeguarding, and international best practices.
• Ability to produce clear reports, use IT effectively for monitoring and reporting, and support continuous improvement.
• Previous experience as an OFSTED or Care Inspectorate inspector is desirable.
• Experience managing nurseries, coaching teams, and improving inspection outcomes.
• Engagement with practitioner networks and experience designing training for early childhood practitioners.
• Expertise in UK regulatory requirements and inspection processes.
• Qualifications: Level 3 in Early Childhood Education (minimum), relevant degree, and postgraduate qualifications such as QTS or Early Years Teacher Status. Thrive Licensed Practitioner status and leadership qualifications are desirable.
• Strong communication, motivation, data analysis skills, and flexibility to travel and work regionally.

We look forward to receiving your application!