*Reports to: Operation Director **Locations: Lochgilphead - Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) settings.**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: £36,000 – £42,000 *_*DOE*_Purpose of roleLead, develop and _empower_ our 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 the nursery meet Care Inspectorate requirements _as a minimum_ and all legal/regulatory duties, including safer recruitment and robust child protection.Key responsibilities1) 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 SpecificationEssential 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.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-timePay: £36,000.00-£42,000.00 per yearBenefits:* Company events* Company pension* Employee discount* Employee mentoring programme* On-site parkingEducation:* 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