We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.

Job Description

Special conditions this post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

Job Purpose

To provide effective operational management and leadership of the Early Learning setting which will deliver high quality education and care that will support the National Framework for childcare and meet the requirements of the relevant national inspections standards. To develop and maintain positive, respectful and responsive relationships with parents, carers and other professionals, in meeting the needs of all children and families.

All staff are required to support the services main purpose of encouraging and enabling children to develop, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally. To create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach at all times that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust. To deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working. To work together with colleagues from other service areas and organisations to provide and maintain a safe, secure learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children in which they can prosper, develop and achieve. To foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with children, families and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• To lead, manage, encourage, motivate and efficiently deploy a dynamic and diverse staff team to deliver high quality integrated education and care that meets the National framework.
• To lead and provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant National and Local standards in partnership with families.
• To lead the development and quality assure the delivery of Individual Education Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND).
• To co-ordinate and develop the Special Educational Needs Coordinator role and key worker system to support children with special educational needs, promoting inclusion on site and progressing towards inclusion in mainstream education.
• To pursue initiatives and quality assessments that will develop and improve practice in the Children’s Centre, ensuring that children’s diverse needs are met.
• To maintain client confidentiality.
• To liaise with and provide professional advice to parents, professionals and agencies, building effective partnerships.
• To liaise with the local primary school teachers and prepare reports that will support the child’s transition into school.
• To support parents, carers and families in the successful admission and transition of their children.
• To lead and ensure the effective operation of the policies and procedures for the administration of medication including accurately recording and verifying drug sheets.
• To lead and quality assure the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury or reportable incident. Ensuring compliance with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual) and Ofsted requirements.
• To assist the management in providing professional support to parents and outside agencies on issues relating to child protection.
• To support students and the Leeds City Council Childcare apprenticeship programme ensuring the effective mentoring of the apprentice and complying with the childcare apprenticeship deployment principles during their time in the centre.
• To collect and analyse data which will inform continuous improvement of the Centre’s progress and the attainment of children.
• To ensure the centre is prepared for all relevant inspections.
• To be the named person responsible to Ofsted.
• To ensure risk assessments are undertaken and documentation is completed for any educational visits.
• To provide appropriate training and development opportunities for all staff, through internal staff meetings, appraisal and supervision, external training, and professional development in line with the aspirations of the Children’s Centre and Learning for Life Service. To provide support and challenge in line with improving performance procedures.
• To take responsibility for their own professional development including participating in any training required from time to time by the national statutory framework or designated as essential by the Early Start Service.
• To support the Children’s Centre manager in the effective management of the budget in line with Leeds City Council financial regulations.
• To have day to day responsibility with regards to decision making in relation to EYFFI (Early Years funding for inclusion) & EYPP (Early Years pupil premium) money which the Centre receives for individual children.
• To facilitate the maximisation of income, minimising debt and reducing costs where possible to ensure the centres financial sustainability.
• To take responsibility for ensuring the buildings are fit for purpose, safe and secure including external security.
• To support any building evacuation and lead where appropriate.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

It is an essential requirement of this post that the post holder should hold a minimum of a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as defined by the Sector Skills Council for Childcare, the Children’s Workforce Development Council, as listed on their