Nursery Baby Room Lead
Application Deadline: 9 January 2026
Department: Nursery
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Itchen Sixth Form College
Reporting To: Michelle Ross
Compensation: £26,343 - £27,733 / year
Description
Nursery Baby Room Lead
Are you ready to take the next step in your Early Years career?
Due to continued growth, Itchen College Nursery is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a passionate and experienced Baby Room Lead to join our warm, supportive and thriving nursery team.
If you're committed to giving babies the very best start in life, this could be the perfect role for you. You'll lead a dedicated team in our Baby Room, creating a nurturing, stimulating and secure environment where every child feels safe, loved and ready to explore. This is your chance to shape the daily experiences of our youngest learners and inspire exceptional practice across the room.
What You'll Be Doing As our Baby Room Lead, you will:
Lead and support a team of practitioners, acting as a positive role model
Plan and deliver high-quality learning experiences in line with the EYFS
Ensure routines run smoothly and meet the individual needs of each baby
Build strong, trusting partnerships with parents and carers
Maintain safeguarding, hygiene and safety to the highest standards
Help create a nurturing, calm and engaging space where babies can thrive
What We're Looking For A Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education
Strong experience working with babies in an Early Years setting
A deep understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding and early child development
Excellent communication and teamwork skills
A warm, nurturing and proactive approach
GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths (desirable)
If you are enthusiastic, caring and ready to lead a high-performing team, we want to hear from you
Why Join Itchen College Nursery?
Working with us means becoming part of a friendly, supportive and well-established nursery with a commitment to excellence. We offer:
Competitive salary
Term-time-only working
Holiday pay included
2 weeks off at Christmas plus all bank holidays
Access to the College Local Government Pension scheme
Continuous professional development, with clear opportunities to progress
A positive, encouraging environment where staff wellbeing is valued
The flexibility of a job share, if desired
Contract: Permanent, 37hrs per week, Term Time Only -39 weeks per year
Salary:SCP 8-10 (currently £26,343-£27,733 FTE) Actual Salary, SCP 8 £22,594.18 p/a
Closing date: Friday 9th January 2026
Interview date: TBC
Start date: January 2026
Itchen College is a thriving Sixth Form College with a broad curriculum offer to meet the needs of the local community. The college is situated in pleasant surroundings to the east of Southampton with excellent local transport links. Ofsted inspected the college in September 2024, grading overall provision as Outstanding with Outstanding Quality of Education, Outstanding Behaviour and Attitudes, Outstanding Leadership and Management, Outstanding Education Programmes for Young People and Outstanding Provision for Learners with High Needs.
The college is committed to supporting staff wellbeing and professional development. The college has an excellent in house CPD programme for all teaching and support staff including a dedicated programme for Early Career Teachers. The college also has close links with the Southampton Education Forum, the Wessex Group and the SFCA, including subject groups and CPD opportunities at all levels. The college offers a wide range of benefits for staff, including free parking, an onsite nursery, TPS pensions, an Employee Assistance Programme and free use of the college gym.
Key Responsibilities
To lead, manage and inspire the Baby Room team to provide exceptional care, learning and development opportunities for children aged 0–2 years, ensuring a safe, nurturing, stimulating and high-quality environment that supports every child to thrive and meet developmental milestones.
Direct Responsibility for:
Leadership of the Baby Room
* Leading the Baby Room team by modelling high standards of practice, communication, and professionalism.
* Overseeing the daily organisation, routines and deployment of staff to ensure ratios and room coverage meet statutory requirements.
* Creating a calm, nurturing and responsive environment that supports the individual needs of babies.
* Ensuring the room is well-presented, clean, safe and engaging at all times.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Level 3 Qualification in Childcare, Paediatric First Aid Qualification or willingness to obtain
Significant experience working with babies (0-2years) in an Early Years setting
Workplace Benefits
Values-driven culture - we're really proud of our culture. We're looking for someone who is as driven by our college values as we are
Learning and Development - access to support and resources to drive your own development.
Free parking - free on-site parking, as well as good public transport links.
Eyecare Scheme
Cycle2Work Scheme
Free On-site Gym & Sports Facilities
Free Flu Jabs
Free Hot Drinks for Staff
Canteen - freshly prepared food with plenty of choice.
1 Life Event Day - to recognise life's big moments like a wedding, graduation, moving house.
Staff Discount Schemes - discounts and deals on national attractions, entertainment, days out, theme parks, holiday insurance and many national retailers.
Employee Loyalty Celebration Reward Scheme - cash and rewards to acknowledge and celebrate staff commitment and loyalty to the College.
On-Site College Nursery with priority given to college staff
Access to College Library
Free College WiFi
Compassionate Leave - up to 5 days paid time off to attend to matters relating to the death or serious illness of a loved one.
Counselling Service - Access to qualified therapy-based support.
Pension Scheme - Enrolment to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).
Occupational Sick Pay
Enhanced Family Leave