Job title: Assistant Day Care Manager
Salary: SO1 £34,434 - £36,363 (pro rata for part time hour and term time only)
Hours: 37 (all year round)
Contract: Temporary (31/7/2026)
Location: Little Owls Chapeltown
Little Owls Chapeltown are offering a next step promotion opportunity to all Level 3 childcare qualified staff.
Little Owls is a great place to progress in your childcare career. We support staff to learn and progress by offering regular training.
As an assistant day care manager based in one of our Little Owls nurseries you will be part of a great team and will deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. It is rewarding work, as well as energetic and at times challenging.
We are committed to the ambition of. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
You will:
1. The main purpose of this position is to provide effective support for the operational management and leadership of the Early Learning setting which will deliver high quality education and care that will support the National Framework for childcare and meet the requirements of the relevant national inspections standards.
About you:
We are looking for qualified, enthusiastic, adaptable candidates with personal qualities to care for and develop young children. You must have:
2. excellent communication and listening skills
3. ability to effectively lead and support good practice.
4. Ability to work with staff at all levels, working as part of a team, contributing to team cohesion and liaising with other professionals.
5. Ability to prioritise, organise work under pressure and meet competing demands.
6. Knowledge and understanding of practice in Safeguarding children and Local Safeguarding Board procedures
7. Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop their resilience.
8. Ability to effectively use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to lead planning and evaluation of activities to aid children’s learning
We expect the following experience and qualifications:
9. A minimum of a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as defined by sector skills council for childcare. gov.uk/guidance/early-years-qualifications-finder
10. GCSE Maths and English at grades A*-C or equivalent (CSE at Grade 1, Key Skills at Level 3, ‘O’ Level Grade A-C).
Please be aware that successful applicants will be employed by LCC and not a particular centre and could be asked to work at any of the city wide Little Owls Nurseries.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
11. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
12. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
13. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
14. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
15. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application
Please be aware that successful applicants will be employed by LCC and not a particular centre and could be asked to work at any of the city wide Little Owls Nurseries.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.
Job Description
Job purpose
To provide effective support for the operational management and leadership of the Early Learning setting which will deliver high quality education and care that will support the National Framework for childcare and meet the requirements of the relevant national inspection standards.
To develop and maintain positive, respectful and responsive relationships with parents, carers and other professionals, in meeting the needs of all children and families.
All staff are required to support the services main purpose of encouraging and enabling children to develop, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally.
To create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach at all times that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust.
To deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working.
To work together with colleagues from other service areas and organisations to provide and maintain a safe, secure learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children in which they can prosper, develop and achieve.
To foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with children, families and colleagues.
Responsibilities
16. To work under the direction of the Day care Manager to encourage, motivate and efficiently support the deployment of a dynamic and diverse staff team to deliver high quality integrated education and care that meets the National framework.
17. To take overall management responsibility for the Early Learning setting in the absence of the Day care Manager or Children Centre Manager commensurate with the grade.
18. Under the direction of the Day care Manager lead and provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant National and Local standards in partnership with families.
19. To support the development and quality assure the delivery of Individual Education Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND).
20. To take a lead role in supporting the development of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator role and key worker system to support children with special educational needs, promoting inclusion on site and progressing towards inclusion in mainstream education.
21. To maintain confidentiality.
22. To take an active role in the risk assessment and risk management of children ensuring risk assessments and risk management plans are implemented effectively, regularly reviewed and updated appropriately, including for outings.
23. To liaise with and provide professional advice to parents, carers, professionals and agencies, building effective partnerships.
24. To assist and lead, where required, in providing professional support to parents and outside agencies on issues relating to child protection.
25. To support the Children Centre Manager and Day Care Manager in maintaining and where necessary assist in the development of robust quality assurance, audit systems, policy, procedure and guidance.
26. To support the Children Centre Manager and Day care Manager in the effective management of the budget in line with Leeds City Council financial regulations.
27. To ensure the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury or reportable incident is followed. Ensure compliance with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual) and Ofsted requirements.
28. To support students and the Leeds City Council Childcare apprenticeship programme ensuring the effective mentoring of the apprentice and complying with the childcare apprenticeship deployment principles during their time in the centre.
29. To collect and analyse data which will inform continuous improvement of the Centre’s progress and the attainment of children.
30. In line with the Medication Policy and Procedure administer and record prescribed and other medication and supervise staff members in the activity.
31. To assist and support the delivery of services by the use of current software programmes and packages.
32. Provide reports, minutes, maintain records, attend and chair meetings and reviews as required.
33. Under the direction of the Children’s Centre / Day Care Manager ensure the centre is prepared for all relevant inspections.
34. Monitor and evaluate the engagement skills of practitioners through regular practice, observations and feedback.
35. Under the direction of the Day care Manager provide appropriate training and development opportunities for all staff, through internal staff meetings, appraisal and supervision, external training, and professional development in line with the aspirations of the Learning for Life Service.
36. To provide support and challenge in line with improving performance procedures.
37. To take responsibility for their own professional development including participating in any training required from time to time by the national statutory framework or designated as essential by the Learning for Life Service.
38. To take responsibility for the securing of the building and resources.
39. To support any building evacuation and lead where appropriate.
40. To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibility under Health and Safety policy and procedures.
41. To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
42. To be the named person responsible to Ofsted in the absence of a Day Care Manager or as required commensurate with the grade.
43. To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Service.
44. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
45. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
46. Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
47. Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
48. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
49. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
50. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
51. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
52. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
53. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Qualifications
Personal Specification
Method of assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificate.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills required
54. Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
55. Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, senior management, other professionals and those using the Children’s Centre’s services using a range of methods including use of ICT (information and communication technologies).
56. Ability to effectively lead and support good practice, facilitating the setting improvement plan ensuring that staff understand their roles and responsibilities, monitor and evaluate their progress using appropriate frameworks including one to ones, appraisals and if required, the Improving Performance Policy.
57. Ability to prioritise, organise work under pressure and meet competing demands.
58. Ability to prepare written reports and plans to the Senior Management Team and relevant inspection services, collecting and analysing data using ICT systems.
59. Ability to demonstrate commitment to personal development, keeping informed and up to date on developments in effective practice and new strategies to support outcomes for children and families.
60. The ability to reflect on practice to ensure continuous professional development and learning.
61. Ability to understand the range of factors which create stress for children and their families and provide a good role model offering positive support.
62. Ability to listen and accept instructions.
63. Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop their resilience.
64. Ability to effectively use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to lead planning and evaluation of activities to aid children’s learning.
65. Ability to write and oversee the production of reports and plans to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing, to the required standard.
66. Ability to offer support to children and families in a culturally sensitive, positive and non- judgemental way.
67. Ability to work in a partnership with parents and carers to support their children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
68. Ability to oversee, complete and quality assure risk assessments.
69. Ability to support the development of children with special educational needs and disabilities in an inclusive setting.
70. Ability to support Parents, carers and families in the successful admission and transition of their children.
71. Ability to supervise students and apprentices.
72. Ability to use ICT packages, including Word and Excel.
73. Ability to work with staff at all levels, working as part of a team, contributing to team cohesion and liaising with other professionals.
74. A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to change shift patterns as require
Knowledge required
75. A minimum of a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as defined by sector skills council for childcare, as detailed in ‘Qualifications’ section above.
76. GCSE Maths and English at grades A*-C or equivalent (CSE at Grade 1, Key Skills at Level 3, ‘O’ Level Grade A-C) or commitment to achieve this within 2 years.
77. A relevant and current Paediatric First Aid or Emergency Paediatric First Aid certificate or a commitment to achieve this within the first 3 months of employment, as required in the EYFS framework.
78. Knowledge and understanding of practice in Safeguarding children and Local Safeguarding Board procedures.
79. Knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policy and guidance relating to the work of Sure Start Children’s Centres including the 2004 Children Act, the 2006 Childcare Act, the Ofsted inspection framework, the EYFS, the SEN Code of practice and Working Together to Safeguard children 2015.
80. Knowledge of a range of factors which create stress for children and families.
81. Knowledge of guidance documents which support the development of young children’s learning including the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
Experience required
82. Experience of professional employment in work with young children and families.
83. Experience of working in partnership with other agencies.
84. Experience of working in close partnership with parents and carers.
85. Experience of professional employment in a nursery environment.
86. Experience of practice related to Child Protection issues.
87. Experience of supervising others.
88. Experience of leading practice within a nursery environment.
89. Experience of teamwork.
90. Experience of leading in planning to organise play and learning experiences for children.
Behavioural and other Characteristics required
91. Committed to continuous improvement.
92. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
93. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
94. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
95. Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
96. Willing to abide by all Leeds City Council Policies and related procedures in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council, including the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy Health and Safety Policies.
97. Commitment to confidentiality.
98. Willingness to actively embrace and demonstrate Leeds City Council’s values and behaviours.
99. Willing to have a flexible working approach.
Apply for this job