Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship

This role requires leadership, strong communication skills, and the ability to inspire others. The Lead Practitioner works alongside management to maintain compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted requirements, while promoting innovation, reflective practice, and continuous improvement.

Leadership and Team Support:

Act as a role model of professional practice, setting high expectations in care, learning, and conduct. Lead by example, encouraging reflective practice and helping colleagues to learn from one another. Contribute to staff development by mentoring colleagues, leading inductions, and supporting training needs. Provide constructive feedback through supervisions, 1:1s, and peer observations.

Planning and Practice:

Lead on planning and delivering activities that reflect the EYFS and take account of each child’s age, stage, interests, and cultural background. Ensure provision is rich in learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors, using a curiosity-led approach. Monitor and evaluate planning to ensure activities promote holistic development and progression. Support key persons to set appropriate weekly targets for their children and incorporate them into room planning. Oversee the completion of accurate observations and assessments, ensuring staff record and analyse children’s progress effectively.

Safeguarding, Health and Safety:

Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed at all times in line with local authority and nursery policies. Respond to any child protection concerns appropriately and immediately, in line with whistleblowing procedures.   Promote health, safety, and well-being across the setting by maintaining risk assessments, daily checks, and hygiene routines. Maintain excellent knowledge of health and safety policies, guiding staff on safe practice. Ensure confidentiality is respected and information is shared appropriately with relevant professionals

Relationships with Parents and Carers:

Build strong, trusting relationships with families, promoting open communication and parental involvement in nursery life. Use EY log and other systems to maintain effective. communication with parents, including observations, daily diaries, and updates. Ensure parents feel valued as partners in their child’s learning and are encouraged to share feedback and contribute to planning.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Champion equality and diversity in the nursery, challenging behaviour or attitudes that do not support inclusive practice. Create an environment where all children and families feel respected and welcomed. Adapt provision to meet the needs of children with SEND or additional needs, working with external professionals where necessary.

Professional Conduct and Development:

Demonstrate professionalism at all times, representing the nursery positively and supporting its success. Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities, including completing Noodle Now training. Reflect regularly on personal practice and contribute to ongoing improvements in provision and routines. Be flexible, assisting with additional duties such as domestic tasks or covering other roles to support the smooth running of the nursery.

Organisational Duties:

Support management in implementing and promoting policies and procedures. Ensure statutory staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times, deploying staff effectively. Complete daily ratio and headcount checks to ensure compliance. Oversee planning and provision, ensuring it supports developmental progression and reflects children’s interests. Carry out peer observations and feedback to strengthen practice within the team.




Training:

The Childcare Company will allocate a Development Coach to the apprentice and they will have 121s with them on a monthly basis and this will be online via Teams and face-to-face; they will visit the setting.

Training Outcome:

When there is a role available for a 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. Start time 7.30am – 6pm.

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