Main Purpose of Job
The Room Leader (RL) leads and manages a room within the nursery and oversees all key person activities and experiences. The RL is responsible for managing their team to deliver high quality care and education for children. The RL leads a team to ensure the nursery room is compliant in all areas. The role of the RL is to support children's development in partnership with parents. The RL's responsibility is to ensure the quality of observations, planning and assessments is of a high standard and meets the needs of all children in attendance. This role requires working in collaboration with others and taking responsibility for working in line with regulatory requirements and CNTC policies and procedures.
All applicants applying should have the following:
* A recognised level 3 childcare qualification, such as the NNEB, DCE, NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
* Two years post qualified experience working within an Early Years setting (ideally as a Deputy Room Leader, Nursery Nurse, Nursery Practitioner, Early Years Educator or similar)
* A commitment to working with children and their families.
* A commitment to provide a high standard of care and education for children.
* The ability to lead and mentor a team of staff and trainees effectively.
* The ability to provide warm and consistent care for children.
* An understanding of child development.
* An understanding of the range and types of activities/experiences children need to help them progress and develop.
* Sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
* Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children
* Ability to build trust and strong working relationships with both colleagues and parents
* Ability to use a variety of techniques to clearly and successfully communicate with both children and adults
* Understand and support children's transitions
* An understanding of confidentiality and its importance in the early years setting
* An understanding of Health and Safety issues and how to keep children safe.
* An understanding of and commitment to inclusion and diversity.
* An understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
* The ability to use own initiative.
* Good communication skills, both written and oral.
* Good organisation skills.
* Good time management skills.
* Flexibility and reliability
* Experience of training trainees.
* A commitment to ongoing professional development.
Benefits of Working as a Room Leader at CNTC:
· Competitive salary, sick pay and workplace pension scheme
· High staff ratios across all age groups
· On-site parking
· Cycle to work scheme and on-site secure bike storage
· Located on main bus route from Reading town centre
· Uniform provided
· Flexible shift patterns over a 40hr week
· Overtime available
· Bank Holiday and Christmas Eve to New Year setting closure which does not come out of your annual leave allocation
· Additional 1 day's annual leave added each year up until 25 days is reached
· Comfortable staff rest rooms with kitchenette facilities
· Free access to Employee Assistance Programme app 24/7 provided by Health Assured
· Continuing professional development
· Career progression
· Supportive and experienced staff team – 50% of our staff have been working at CNTC for over 5yrs, 23% for more than 10yrs and 17% for more than 15yrs
Your role would be to:
· Lead and develop a team of staff to ensure the provision of high quality, inclusive care and education for children
· Work effectively as a key person, taking responsibility for a group of key children with an understanding of transitions.
· Work effectively as a team member with an enthusiastic and positive outlook and good communication skills.
· Have a passion and be able to care for and educate children with a good understanding of the EYFS.
· Provide for the children's physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs.
· Provide experiences and provocations to meet the learning and developmental needs of the children.
· Work in partnership with parents, carers, and families.
· Maintain records as required, including children's development records and observations using our on-line nursery management system.
· Provide a warm, secure, safe, stimulating, inclusive and enabling environment, promoting safeguarding procedures and the welfare of the children at all times.
· Work within the Policy and Procedures of our setting.
CNTC has a strong commitment to inclusion and safeguarding and promoting
the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. We follow robust safer recruitment practices. Successful applicants will be required to provide satisfactory background checks, references, and an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Further information about Chiltern Nursery and Training College can be found on our website Nursery & Training College or alternatively we would encourage you to come for a tour which can be arranged by calling Jill Whitlock on
Application packs are available from Jill Whitlock
Please return your application form by:
Closing date: 9am on Monday 29th September 2025
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £32,550.00 per year
Benefits:
* Cycle to work scheme
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person