Senior Team Leader / Third in Charge
Location: Shenfield, Essex
Salary: £30,000 – £34,000 per year
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (4 or 5 days)
A well-established early years setting in Brentwood, Essex, caring for children aged 3 months – 5 years, is looking for an experienced and confident Senior Team Leader / Third in Charge to join its management structure. This role offers the chance to support staff development, maintain outstanding standards of practice, and contribute to a warm, high-quality learning environment.
About the Role
As the Third in Charge, you will support the management team by leading and mentoring practitioners, ensuring effective delivery of the EYFS curriculum and maintaining excellent standards across all rooms. You will be room-based with dedicated time for leadership duties, focusing on consistency, quality, and compliance.
Staff Benefits
• Competitive salary and performance-related bonus
• In-house and external training opportunities
• Career progression and CPD support
• Discounted childcare (subject to availability)
• Team events, staff celebrations, and wellbeing programme
• Annual awards and recognition
• Complimentary restaurant vouchers
• Free on-site parking
• Supportive management with an open-door approach
Key Responsibilities
• Provide leadership, guidance, and professional support to practitioners and room leaders
• Oversee EYFS planning, observations, and assessments
• Ensure stimulating and inclusive learning environments indoors and outdoors
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health & safety, and compliance
• Support readiness for Ofsted inspections and uphold inspection-ready standards
• Act as a positive role model for staff, children, and families
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement
Person Specification
• Level 3 or higher qualification in Early Years / Childcare
• Proven experience in a senior or supervisory early years role
• Excellent knowledge of EYFS and child development
• Confident in curriculum planning and assessment
• Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures
• Reliable, proactive, and passionate about leadership and staff development
• Up-to-date Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid training (or willing to update)
If you are an experienced childcare professional ready to take the next step in your early years career, apply now to become a Senior Team Leader / Third in Charge in Brentwood, Essex