* *Reports to: Operation Director / Head of Early Years* *Locations: Two Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) settings across Argyll & Bute (travel required)* *Contract: Full-time, permanent (flexible hours to meet service needs)* *Registration: SSSC (Manager/Lead Practitioner – Day Care of Children)* *PVG: Membership for work with children (Disclosure Scotland)* *Salary Range: £42,000 – £46,000 *_*DOE*_ Purpose of role Lead, develop and _empower_ two ELC settings to deliver high-quality, nurturing and inclusive early learning and childcare that secures positive outcomes for babies and young children (0–5), aligned with Realising the Ambition: Being Me, GIRFEC (SHANARRI), and the Health and Social Care Standards. Ensure both sites meet Care Inspectorate requirements _as a minimum_ and all legal/regulatory duties, including safer recruitment and robust child protection. Key responsibilities 1) Leadership, quality & improvement * Provide visible, values-based leadership across both sites; set a clear vision and improvement plan using self-evaluation and the Care Inspectorate quality framework. * Embed Health and Social Care Standards and children’s rights in everyday practice, relationships and environments. * Lead preparation for inspections and drive continuous improvement with data-informed plans and practitioner enquiry. 2) Pedagogy, curriculum & inclusion * Champion play-rich pedagogy and interactions consistent with Realising the Ambition: Being Me, ensuring experiences meet each child’s stage of development (including babies and toddlers) and progress across the early level of CfE. * Ensure practice is holistic and strengths-based under GIRFEC; use SHANARRI indicators, the My World Triangle and resilience matrix to plan support with partners and families. * Lead inclusive practice for children with additional support needs, ensuring early identification, effective planning and partnership working. 3) Safeguarding & child protection * Act as or support the setting Child Protection Coordinator; ensure all staff understand and apply the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 (updated 2023). * Maintain rigorous recording, reporting and escalation, ensuring timely multi-agency working. * Ensure safe care routines, risk assessments and robust incident/concern management are in place across both sites. 4) People management & safer recruitment * Workforce planning across two sites (rota, ratios, contingency). * Lead safer recruitment compliant with Safer Recruitment Through Better Recruitment (Care Inspectorate/SSSC, updated): values-based selection, application scrutiny, identity and right-to-work checks, PVG membership, qualification/registration checks, verified references (including last employer), employment history/accounting for gaps, risk-assessed starts, and documented decisions. * Deliver induction, supervision, coaching, appraisal and CPD to meet SSSC Codes of Practice and qualifications framework. 5) Compliance, health & safety and operations * Ensure compliance with Care Inspectorate regulations, insurance, accidents/medication policies, food hygiene, infection prevention and control, and data protection. * Manage budgets, fees, funded ELC claims, procurement and site resources. * Maintain accurate records: enrolment, consents, learning journals, staff files, PVG/SSSC statuses and training. 6) Partnership with families & community * Build strong, respectful relationships with parents/carers; communicate progress and plans effectively. * Collaborate with local services (health visitors, ASN, social work, third sector) across Argyll & Bute to support transitions and continuity. * Promote inclusion, Gaelic language/culture where relevant, outdoor learning and community engagement. Person Specification Essential qualifications & registration * Childhood Practice award at SCQF Level 9 or above (e.g., BA Childhood Practice or PDA Childhood Practice SCQF 9) to meet SSSC requirements for Managers/Lead Practitioners in Day Care of Children services. * Current SSSC registration (or eligibility to register) for the appropriate part of the register. * PVG Scheme membership for regulated work with children (Disclosure Scotland). Essential experience * Substantial experience leading practice and teams in ELC (including supervising/mentoring practitioners and running rooms or a setting). * Proven success in inspection readiness and improvement planning. * Applying Realising the Ambition, GIRFEC and Health and Social Care Standards in daily practice. * Leading child protection processes and multi-agency working under the National Child Protection Guidance (2021, updated 2023). Essential knowledge & skills * Deep understanding of child development 0–5, high-quality play and environments, observation/assessment, and planning for progression. * Confident in SHANARRI wellbeing, staged intervention, ASN, transitions, and family engagement. * Strong grasp of safer recruitment, SSSC Codes of Practice and workforce development. * Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, analysis and report-writing; able to prioritise across two geographically separate sites. Desirable * Outdoor learning leadership; Gaelic language or community links; experience with funded hours delivery/ELC entitlement and transport logistics across rural locations. Additional Information * Built in travel time/expenses and lone-working protocols for rural journeys between sites. * Ensure partnership links with Health Visiting/Family Nurse Partnership and local ASN/education psychology teams are formalised. * Consider Gaelic-medium engagement where relevant to local communities. Job Type: Full-time Pay: £42,000.00-£46,000.00 per year Benefits: * Company events * Company pension * Employee discount * Employee mentoring programme * On-site parking Education: * Bachelor's (preferred) Experience: * Nursery leadership: 4 years (required) * Nursery management: 5 years (required) * Childcare: 5 years (preferred) * Management: 2 years (preferred) Licence/Certification: * Driving Licence (required) Work Location: In person