Current Vacancies

Full job description

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Full-time, 40 hours per week

Pay – £13.25 - £14.00 an hour (£27,560 - £29,120 a year)

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Room Lead for our 2–5s room, who will also take on the role of Assistant Manager within our vibrant, community-run nursery.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate early years practitioner who is ready to take the next step in their career, combining room leadership with broader management responsibilities.

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About the role

As Room Lead, you will:

• Take responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of every child in the 2–5s room.

• Lead and support your team to deliver high-quality care and learning, inspired by Realising the Ambition and the Curriculum for Excellence.

• Plan and implement engaging learning experiences and play opportunities, linked to relevant Es & Os and responsive to the children’s interests.

• Ensure compliance with SBC environment audits.

• Monitor and support your team in recording children’s learning, ensuring observations, learning trackers and developmental overviews are consistently high quality.

• Oversee the day-to-day routines – from meal and nap times to story sessions – ensuring a nurturing, calm environment.

• Maintain and update care plans and chronologies, implementing any changes suggested by management.

As Assistant Manager, you will:

• Support the Nursery Manager with the day-to-day running of the nursery, including staff rotas, parent queries and deployment.

• Take a lead in quality assurance and improvement planning, ensuring consistently high standards across the nursery.

• Assist with staff mentoring and educational planning, helping to develop practice and interactions.

• Take responsibility for the setting when the Manager is absent (including during school holidays, as the Manager is term-time only. There is an agreed 2 week break in the Summer holiday when the manager will be in the setting).

Key qualities we’re looking for

• A nurturing and child-centred practitioner who brings warmth, kindness and patience to their work.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

• A people person with excellent communication and customer service skills.

• A solution-focused leader, able to support and inspire colleagues.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

Hours & holidays

• Full-time, 40 hours per week over 5 days.

• Majority of holidays to be taken during term time (as the Manager is off during school holidays) but there is an agreed 2 week break during the Summer holiday when the manager will be back in the setting.

Requirements

• Relevant SVQ Level 3/4 or HNC in Early Learning & Childcare (or equivalent).

• Experience in a senior/lead practitioner role, with proven ability to support and manage a team.

• Knowledge of Curriculum for Excellence, Realising the Ambition and Care Inspectorate requirements.

Why join us?

At Duns Community Nursery (DCN), we pride ourselves on being a warm, welcoming and supportive team, deeply rooted in our community. You’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in children’s early learning and care, while also developing your leadership and management skills.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to: manager@dunscommunitynursery.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £27,560.00-£29,120.00 per year

Work Location: In person

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