An exciting new vacancy has arisen to lead the Early Years provision at Windmill Hill City Farm.

This is an opportunity to lead our friendly and dedicated team of child-care professionals in our unique setting in an environment with woodland gardens, ponds, and farm animals. You’ll have a passion to help provide children with a valuable start in life, good early education and help them know how to make the best of our outdoor spaces.

We’re looking for someone with substantial experience of leading Early Years provision, solid knowledge of the EYFS, and adept at developing a solid curriculum and exemplary practice with their team. You’ll be a champion for equity in provision and be in step with the charitable status of our setting and its mission to serve its local community.

We’re looking for someone committed to helping children to develop their life skills in a caring environment that promotes learning through play. Joining us is more than just getting a new job, you’ll become part of a thriving local community with children at its heart.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Manage staff well ensuring they are engaged and able to work to the required standards.
• Manage budgets for the Early Years function within parameters agreed with the Finance Manager.
• Inspire the staff team to provide excellent care and education so children reach their full potential in a safe, caring and stimulating environment.
• Ensure a high-quality service through effective systems, staff training and parental engagement. Set and monitor performance targets.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of curriculum requirements and enrichment opportunities to achieve good learning outcomes for the children.
• Champion equity in provision for disadvantaged children (e.g. through race, disability, family circumstances)
• Ensure good ratings with external monitoring bodies (eg Ofsted, local authorities).
• Ensure policies and procedures are up-to-date, compliant and implemented.
• Ensure the safeguarding policy is up-to-date and embedded in the practice of the setting.
• Undertake long-term planning for the service: finances, quality improvement, marketing, new developments.
• Act as a representative of the setting for authorities and the media.
• Promote the work undertaken at the setting to potential customers, the local authority and other stakeholders.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the responsibilities of the post.