Deputy Room Leader - Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprentice

Creating Inspiring Learning Environments:

Plan and deliver engaging activities that reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and take into account children’s interests, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. Ensure the environment—indoors and outdoors—is stimulating, purposeful, and inclusive, promoting exploration, independence, and curiosity. Continuously review and reflect on daily routines, adapting them to meet the individual needs of each child.

Leading and Supporting the Team:

Work flexibly as part of the wider nursery team, stepping in wherever needed to support smooth operations. Supervise and mentor staff in your room, ensuring consistency of practice and providing guidance where needed. Share knowledge, lead by example, and inspire your colleagues to deliver their very best every day. Identify training needs, delegate tasks appropriately, and support the manager in leading meetings, inductions, and 1:1s.

Building Strong Relationships:

Act as a Key Person for a small group of children, building strong, trusting bonds with them and their families. Set developmentally appropriate weekly targets for key children and ensure they are integrated into planning. Communicate with parents through daily diaries, learning journals, and regular updates using systems like EY Log. Work in partnership with parents and carers, encouraging them to play an active role in their child’s learning journey.

Safeguarding and Welfare:

Take responsibility for the welfare, health, and safety of all children in your care. Complete daily risk assessments and ensure environments are safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Follow safeguarding policies rigorously, reporting concerns immediately in line with local authority and nursery procedures. Promote wellbeing through routines such as toilet checks, hygiene practices, and healthy eating. Upholding Standards and Compliance Support management in maintaining Ofsted ‘Good’ status while striving towards ‘Outstanding’. Reinforce company policies and procedures, dealing with any breaches swiftly and appropriately. Ensure compliance with statutory ratios and complete ratio and headcount sheets daily. Maintain accurate observations and assessments to monitor progress in line with EYFS.

Professionalism and Reflection:

Lead by example in professionalism, conduct, and communication at all times. Engage in reflective practice daily, identifying opportunities to improve and innovate. Support and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, challenging behaviour or practices that do not align with these values. Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities.

Additional Responsibilities:

Be flexible and ready to support the nursery by helping with domestic tasks, covering staff absences, or assisting in other rooms. Promote the high profile of Little Pumpkins Nursery within the local community. Undertake peer observations to support colleagues and encourage continual development.

Training:

At the Childcare Company, the apprentice will be allocated a Development Coach that will have 121s with them on a monthly basis and will attend the setting for observations and further learning.

Training Outcome:

When there is a role available for Room Leader or Deputy as you have the experience, you will be able to apply.

Employer Description:
Little Pumpkins Nursery is a group of privately run nurseries across South East London. We provide quality childcare and a learning program in accordance with the standards set forth by Ofsted. Little Pumpkins Nursery offers full and part-time placements for children as young as twelve weeks, up to school transition age of five years. We’re dedicated, not only to the care of your child, but also to nurturing their development at such an influential age. Established to provide a premium solution to the lack of high quality and affordable child care in the London area, Little Pumpkins Nursery provided a safe and welcoming environment.

Working Hours :
Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week. Varies between 4 or 5 days per week, 7.30am - 6.00pm.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Presentation skills,Administrative skills,Team working,Creative,Initiative,Patience