The Role
Reporting to the Depute Rector – Infants, the Pre-School Manager will be an active and motivated participant in the life and direction of the school and will lead by example and in doing so will support and inspire the Pre-School Team in terms of our Aims and Values and the future vision of the Pre-School.
It is an operational role; however, it will be supernumerary, allowing the Pre-School Manager to move between our two sites, spend time with small groups of children, meet with prospective and current parents and manage the Pre-School team.
Main Responsibilities:
Leadership and Management
* Play an integral role in the development of the Pre-School.
* Motivate and lead the Pre-School team in delivering high standards of care.
* Be responsible for the day-to- day management, staffing, organisation, and smooth operation of the Pre-School facility.
* Manage resources and the Pre-School budget.
* Play a key role in the recruitment process ensuring the best quality staff are appointed.
Planning and Development
In conjunction with the Depute Rector, create a Pre-School Development Plan which responds to the needs of the setting and is in line with the SIP objectives.
* Develop a curriculum which fosters creativity, curiosity and challenge.
* Support the team to provide responsive, child-led planning.
* Monitor and track learning.
* Assist the Depute Rector to implement and evaluate quality assurance.
* Seek new opportunities to collaborate with other early years settings to develop and promote best practice.
* Identify the training needs of the Pre-School team and co-ordinate an on-going programme of professional development.
Policy/Implementation
* Possess a thorough working knowledge of all national guidelines and documents relating to pre-school education, including Curriculum for Excellence, Space to Grow, Building the Ambition, National Care Standards, GIRFEC and How Good is our Early Learning and Childcare.
Communication
* Promote positive relationships with parents, children and colleagues.
* Liaise with the Care Inspectorate to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
* Establish relationships with external agencies who will support children with identified additional needs.
* Work with Depute Rector to ensure children a smooth transition to Primary 1.
* Inform parents of Pre-School initiatives either in writing or through informal presentations.
Pastoral Care
* To deal with any parental inquires or concerns.
* Monitor and track the pastoral care of Pre-School children.
* Take a lead role in Child Protection procedures within the Pre-School, liaising with appropriate senior school staff.
Ideal Candidate:
You will be a dedicated and enthusiastic professional committed to fostering all aspects of a child’s development in early years education whilst balancing the demands of both managerial and operational leadership.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
* Registered with SSSC as a Manager of a Day Care of Children Services.
* BA in Childhood Practice.
* Experience in Early Years Education
* Experience of Managing a Team.
* Thorough working knowledge of all national guidelines and documents relating to early years education, including Curriculum for Excellence, Space to Grow, Realising the Ambition, National Care Standards, GIRFEC and How Good is our Early Learning and Childcare.
* An understanding of the benefits of play and learning in the outdoors.
* The ability to lead and manage others to deliver education and care to a very high standard.
* Competent in the use of Microsoft Office.
* Proven organisational skills - balancing the demands of both managerial and operational leadership.
* Effective communicator – focusing on the best ways to communicate ideas, listen to others, foster collegiality, and establish collective ownership.
* Strategic thinker - developing a vision of what success will look like in the Pre-School.
* Strong planning skills – achieve and deliver successful improvements in the Pre-School and deal with the challenges along the way.
* Persuasion and influencing - encourage others to help you achieve this success.
* Collaboration - seek opinions, respond to feedback and motivate others towards shared success.
* Change Management – open and adaptable to changes to plans and vision; analytical of research and evidence in identifying best practice; reflective of own leadership and practice.