Room Leader / Senior Practitioner
9 days ago
London
ROLE DETAILS Job Title: Room Leader / Senior Practitioner Location: Norbury Hill Cubs, 48 Norbury Hill, London SW16 3LB Hours: 40–50 hours per week, Monday to Friday Contract: Permanent, Competitive salary dependent on experience Start Date: As soon as possible Responsible to: Deputy Manager and Nursery Manager Responsible for: Room practitioners and apprentices within allocated room ABOUT NORBURY HILL CUBS Norbury Hill Cubs is a well-established, Ofsted-registered nursery with over 18 years of experience providing high-quality early years education and care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Based in Norbury, SW16, we are a setting where strong leadership, clear values and genuine investment in staff make the difference. We follow our own NHC 12 curriculum framework alongside the EYFS, and we are proud of the professional, close-knit team we have built. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE To take day-to-day responsibility for the leadership and smooth running of your allocated room, ensuring the highest standards of care, learning and development for all children. You will lead, support and inspire a small team of practitioners and apprentices, acting as a role model for best practice across the setting. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and management • Take day-to-day responsibility for the running of your allocated room, ensuring routines, ratios and safeguarding requirements are met at all times, • Lead, support and mentor your room team including practitioners and apprentices, modelling best practice, • Contribute to staff supervision, performance monitoring and team development in partnership with the Deputy Manager, • Act as a positive role model for the whole team, demonstrating professionalism, warmth and high standards in all areas, • Plan and deliver high-quality, age-appropriate activities in line with the EYFS and NHC 12 curriculum framework, • Act as key person for an allocated group of children, building warm, secure and responsive relationships, • Oversee observation, assessment and tracking within the room, ensuring records are accurate and up to date, • Identify and support children with additional needs, working with the SENCO as required, • Build strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers, communicating openly and professionally, • Lead parent consultations and key person meetings for your key children, • Uphold and actively promote the nursery's safeguarding policies and procedures at all times, • Ensure all documentation, incident records and risk assessments within the room are completed accurately and promptly Essential • Level 3 Early Years qualification — fully and relevantly qualified, • Demonstrable experience working in an early years setting with children aged 0–5, • Previous experience in a Room Leader, Senior Practitioner or supervisory role, • Sound knowledge and understanding of the EYFS, • Genuine passion for working with young children and leading a team, • Strong communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, • A calm, professional approach and the confidence to lead others, • Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply), • Experience mentoring or supporting apprentices or junior staff, • Knowledge of babysdays or similar online learning journal platforms, • Paediatric First Aid certificate, • Experience supporting children with SEND, • A genuine leadership role with real responsibility and autonomy, • Competitive salary dependent on experience, • Permanent, full-time contract — 40–50 hours per week, Monday to Friday, • Supportive, experienced senior leadership team, • Investment in your continuing professional development and career progression, • A setting with a clear curriculum framework and strong Ofsted standing, • A close-knit, professional team where every member is valued