Company Description

Learn, Play and Grow with us!

We are The Learning Experience, an Academy of Early Education for children aged 3 months and up with a mission to make a positive difference in the life of a child, their families and the communities we serve. With 100's of nurseries operating in the US we are excited to be two UK locations in East Finchley,  Leatherhead and in the coming months Weybridge also!

Job Description

Opening Autumn 2024

Position: Third in Charge 

Location: easy access to High Street 

Salary: Up to £30,000

Third in Charge provides a high standard of Care and Education to the children placed within our care. They implement and drive robust Health and Safety practices, including modelling behavioural safety.  Third in Charge works as part of the senior leadership team.  Responsible for leading, mentoring and coaching a team of early years practitioners; whilst fulfilling day to day leadership of the nursery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver engaging activities and learning opportunities by using The Learning Experience LEAP programme and channelling the children’s individual interests and needs.
• Deliver outstanding care experiences for all children, which meet their individual needs and supports them as a whole.
• Assess and review individual children, in order to meet their personal needs, interests and stages of development.
• Implement an effective key person approach.
• Provide an enabling environment, both indoors and outdoors; that is rich and includes continuous provision.
• Lead a team to deliver outstanding care and education experiences, by mentoring, coaching and modelling outstanding practice.
• Offer constructive feedback to support both professional and personal development of team members. Conduct regular 1:1’s, Supervisions and Appraisals.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead; level 3 - promote the health, safety and welfare of children, employees and families in line with The Learning Experience's child protection and health and safety policies.
• Responsibility to make referrals to external agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure policies and procedures are adhered to whilst also meeting the external legislation and guidelines from the governing body of the country where the nursery is located.
• Promote and follow guidelines implemented for managing behaviour; including supporting children to manage their own feelings and behaviours.
• Promote the nursery to existing families; and new perspectives in order to support retention, reduce attrition and grow the occupancy levels at the nursery.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication at all levels.
• Attend all staff meetings and training sessions as required.
• Ensure all essential day to day tasks are completed in line with the nursery demands.
• To provide support to your team within the nursery and the wider business.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Post qualified experience of working within the Early Years sector Previous experience of working as a key person and Room Leader (or equivalent) experience
• Sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection Knowledge and understanding of wider legislative requirements for working with children.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal. Ability to be flexible, adaptable and embrace new ways of doing things.
• Child Protection Ability to identify issues prior to escalation.
• Competent user of ICT systems and willingness to learn and develop.
• Full and relevant Level 3 and or above(equivalent) Childcare qualification
• Current Paediatric First Aid. 

Desirable:

• Specific Room Leader experience.
• Experience of working and supporting children and families with additional needs.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead experience.
• Coaching and mentoring experience.
• Desire and passion for ongoing learning and development.
•  Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in Team Leadership
• Level 3 Food Hygiene (or equivalent)

Additional Information

What's in it for you?

At the Learning Experience we believe that the happiness and wellbeing of our employees is essential.

• Access to discounted childcare at 50% off
• Monday-Friday Schedule
• Paid overtime and sick days 
• Paid birthday leave and paid staff events
• Paid training programs 
• 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 1 day for every year of service 
• Company pension scheme
• Employee recognition and employee appreciation gifts
• Employee assistant program 
• Access to Perks via Perkbox

The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive or restrictive, changes and other duties relevant to this post may be added. This job description may be reviewed in the future.  

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.