This role requires a fit person interview by the Western Trust Early Years Team and is subject to approval by them.
Role
The Childcare Manager will lead the development and effective delivery of high-quality inclusive learning and childcare services for children aged 0-12 years old. They will lead a staff team and ensure the setting operates in full compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements including the Minimum Standards and associated Implementation Guidance. The role will ensure the sustainability and overall success of YMCA Childcare. This role requires a dynamic individual with exceptional leadership capabilities, strategic vision, and a proven ability to manage both people and business operations effectively.
1. Compliance
* Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements including the Minimum Standards and associated Implementation Guidance.
* Ensure compliance with funders, regulatory audits and external monitoring requirements.
* Ensure compliance with Charities Commission and Companies House guidance and reporting requirements.
* Ensure compliance with YMCA Childcare policies and procedures.
* Maintain accurate documentation required for regulatory inspection, audit and funding monitoring.
2. Health, Safety and Safeguarding
* As trained Designated Child Protection Officer, the Childcare Manager will ensure the care and protection of children is the priority of the setting through adherence to relevant policies and procedures including safeguarding.
* Maintain safe environments for all staff, users and visitors through regular risk assessment, health and safety oversight and compliance reporting.
* Ensure routine maintenance requests for the building and Londonderry YMCA vehicles are reported in a timely manner to the General Secretary and to ensure facilities are maintained safely and in line with appropriate legislation.
* Ensure company vehicles are road worthy, serviced regularly and valid MOT is in place.
3. Children's Learning, Care and Outcomes
* Provide a safe, secure, stimulating and vibrant environment for all children who use the Centre, ensuring the needs, welfare and rights of all children within YMCA Childcare are met at all times.
* Oversee the safe and hygienic provision of healthy food and ensure that any essential medication is administered, secured and recorded in line with policy and guidance.
* Lead, coach, supervise, support and inspire the team, leading by example in the planning and delivery of high-quality care, welfare and developmental activities for children aged 0–12 within an inclusive environment.
* Participate in the supervision of staff, including observing staff practice, children's experiences, reviewing room planners and written observations, and providing constructive feedback to support continuous improvement within the setting.
* Oversee the application of child development principles to ensure age-appropriate learning, care and developmental planning is consistently implemented.
* Oversee the development, implementation and review of Individual Care Plans and Behaviour Plans, supporting staff and liaising with relevant professionals and parents/carers where appropriate.
* Support staff to communicate effectively and sensitively with parents/carers regarding their child's development, including both strengths and areas requiring support.
* Maintain accurate and appropriate child records, registers and documentation in preparation for and compliance with Western Trust annual inspections.
* Keep abreast of policy, legislative and best practice developments within the early years sector and ensure these are appropriately adopted and implemented across the Centre.
4. Strategic Leadership and Service Management
* Lead the day-to-day management of YMCA Childcare to ensure high-quality, inclusive provision for children and families.
* Design and deliver a board approved 3 year strategy supported by an annual business plan and budget, monitoring progress and evaluating progress annually.
* Ensure the financial and operational sustainability of the service.
* Keep abreast of policy and best practice developments in all areas of responsibility and ensure the same are adopted and implemented accordingly
5. Human Resources and Staff Development
* Manage recruitment, induction and ongoing performance management of staff and students.
* Provide a robust induction process with all new staff and students, to be completed within one month of starting employment, ensuring all policies and procedures have been read, understood and signed by all staff and to ensure policies and procedures are implemented effectively.
* Conduct training needs analysis, develop a yearly development plan and coordinate professional development opportunities for each member of the team.
* Lead regular staff meetings and ensure clear communication across the team.
* Review and update all childcare, HR and financial policies and standard operating procedures annually and present them to the Board for approval, communicate them to team when approved.
* Ensure equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice across all aspects of provision.
6. Parents, Families and Agencies
* Work in partnership with parents and carers, valuing their role and encouraging engagement with the setting.
* Ensure the organisation strives for excellent customer service.
* Provide information and share relevant policies with parents and carers.
* Seek parents/carers' feedback annually and ensure service improvements reflect expressed needs.
* Manage admissions in accordance with policy and in partnership with staff and relevant professionals.
* Work in partnership with Londonderry YMCA and other external agencies in the community, to help support unmet needs of individual children and extend services. Source funding for the same where applicable.
7. Financial Management and Sustainability
* Hold overall responsibility and accountability for the organisation's financial management framework ensuring effective controls policies and procedures are in place and remain compliant with legislative requirements and best practice.
* Provide strategic oversight of annual and monthly budgets including review challenge and approval and monitor financial performance and cash flow against approved budgets.
* Oversee payroll and statutory compliance ensuring appropriate review and sign-off of payroll PAYE pensions and annual accounts.
* Lead engagement with auditors regulators and external stakeholders and approve and supervise corrective actions arising from internal or external audits with operational support from the Finance and Admin Officer.
* Lead income generation strategy including approval of funding applications oversight of delivery and review of funder reporting.
* Report financial performance risks and sustainability issues to the Board providing clear analysis assurance and recommendations.
8. Communication, Administration and Reporting
* Hold overall responsibility for governance administration ensuring Board and AGM agendas reports and minutes are prepared to an appropriate standard reviewed approved and securely retained.
* Oversee the production of the Annual Report and Business Plan and present the same to the Board of Directors for approval.
* Represent the organisation at statutory community and external forums and attend relevant meetings and training as required.
9. Other Duties
* Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Board to support the effective running of the service.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
* A qualification at QCF Level 5 Diploma in Child Care, Learning and Development or Playwork; or a relevant occupational qualification in early years' education, social work, nursing, teaching or health visiting.
* A minimum of 2 years experience working with children aged 0-4 in a similar setting.
* 2 years' previous experience leading and supervising members of staff in an early years setting with children.
* Experience of ensuring with statutory and regulatory requirements, including Minimum Standards.
* An understanding of managing finances and budgets.
* Ability to think strategically and develop and delivery on business plans.
* Valid UK Driving Licence.
DESIRABLE
* BA Hons Degree in Early Childhood Studies, or Degree level qualification in Early Years'.
* A recognised management or leadership qualification.
* 2 years+ work experience working with children aged 4-12 in a similar setting.
* IT Skills with the ability to use Microsoft office packages and Google Drive.
* For further information and to obtain an application form visit:
CV's will not be accepted.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £36,180.00-£42,522.00 per year
Benefits:
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 09/03/2026