Senior Nursery Room Leader (Early Years)

Senior Nursery Room Leader (Early Years Nursery) – Horsham, West Sussex (RH12)

Level 3 Early Years / CACHE / EYE / NVQ
Lead a nurturing early years pre-school room as a Senior Nursery Room Leader and inspire a team to deliver outstanding care and play-based learning every day within an award-winning nursery environment.

Employment Type
Full-time, Permanent, Monday–Friday

Salary
£28,000 to £36,000 per year (competitive salary, dependent on experience) + benefits

Pay & Benefits

• Up to £1,000 joiner’s bonus after probation
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays
• 80% childcare discount
• Creative, child-led learning with strong outdoor and exploratory play opportunities
• Funded training, qualifications and ongoing CPD
• Access to the Little Barn Owls Training Academy with structured professional development
• International CPD opportunities for qualified staff
• Clear career progression into senior early years leadership roles
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Seasonal bonuses and Christmas loyalty bonus
• Retail discounts across 800+ suppliers
• Long service rewards and team social events
• Creative learning environments with outdoor and Reggio Emilia inspired practice

Working Hours & Shift Pattern
This is a full-time position with shifts worked across the setting’s opening hours, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates 51 weeks per year, with hours worked between 7:30am and 6:00pm. Your rota will be shared in advance and designed to support a healthy work-life balance. Breaks are provided during each shift, and there may be occasional flexibility required to support key operational needs. School hours or term-time only working are not available.

Job Description
We are looking for a confident, caring Senior Room Leader (Practice Leader) to guide a welcoming early years room in a warm and inspiring nursery setting in Horsham, West Sussex (RH12). This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll support children aged 6 months to 5 years through rich, play-based learning experiences, including plenty of outdoor exploration.

As part of an innovative and creative West Sussex Nursery Group, you’ll be joining an award-winning organisation recently crowned Winners of the Nursery World Award for Enabling Environments 2024. The group is proud to follow a Reggio Emilia inspired Forest & Farm School approach and is recognised internationally for its work in Early Years education.

This Senior Room Leader role suits an experienced Early Years professional who enjoys mentoring others, values reflective practice, and thrives in an environment where curiosity, nature and child-led learning are celebrated. It is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious Room Leader ready to step up and play an active role in the growth and development of an award-winning nursery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and inspire your room team to deliver consistently high-quality care and learning
• Plan and implement engaging, age-appropriate activities aligned with the EYFS framework
• Build strong relationships with children, parents and carers through clear, warm communication
• Carry out key person responsibilities, including observations, assessments and learning journeys
• Ensure safeguarding, health & safety, and daily compliance standards are followed at all times
• Support smooth daily routines including mealtimes, hygiene care, sleep routines and transitions
• Encourage outdoor learning and enriching experiences that support all areas of development
• Lead and coordinate your room team throughout the day
• Deliver engaging, educational and child-led experiences
• Support staff to create a safe, stimulating learning environment
• Contribute to nursery growth and development plans
• Work collaboratively with Managers, Pedagogical Coordinators, Atelieristas and Educators
• Think on your feet, extend learning in the moment and inspire creativity within an emergent curriculum

Requirements

• Level 3 (or above) Early Years qualification (or equivalent childcare qualification) such as CACHE / EYE / NVQ
• Right to work within the UK (no sponsorship required)
• Enhanced DBS required
• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Room Leader or strong experience as a senior early years practitioner ready to step up
• Sound knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding procedures and best practice in early childhood development
• Comfortable completing observations, documentation and reflective practice to support outcomes
• Passion for high-quality care and education
• Strong communication skills with parents, children and colleagues
• Proactive, organised and solution-focused mindset
• Commercial awareness and motivation to add value to the wider nursery
• Interest in approaches such as Reggio Emilia is a bonus (training can be provided)
• Also Suitable for: Room Leader, Practice Leader, Pre-School Room Leader, Senior Early Years Educator, Nursery Room Leader, Early Years Room Manager, Senior Nursery Practitioner, Section Manager.

Company Culture
The nursery setting promotes a calm, nurturing atmosphere with a real emphasis on creativity, outdoor exploration and meaningful relationships. Staff are encouraged to share ideas, reflect on practice, and grow their skills in a culture that feels welcoming, purposeful and people-centred. This is a supportive, creative and inspiring working environment where child-led learning and team development go hand in hand.

Apply Today
If you’re ready to take the next step in your Nurseries and Early Years career and lead a room where children feel safe, inspired and confident to explore, we’d love to hear from you. Your experience, ideas and leadership will be genuinely valued, and you’ll be supported to grow and progress in a warm, encouraging environment in Horsham, West Sussex (RH12). Apply today to start your next chapter.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early interest is warmly encouraged.