Early Years Team Leader

Early Years Team Leader

Salary: £13.35 per hour (will increase in April).

Location:

Little Trees Lansdown Nursery, Queen's Road, Cheltenham.

Position:
Permanent, Full Time vacancy (close in 15 days at 23:59 GMT).

Hours:

Full time, 4.5 days per week, no weekends.

• Lead, inspire and support a small team of practitioners within the toddler room.
• Create a nurturing, stimulating and inclusive environment that supports children’s emotional, physical and cognitive development.
• Plan and deliver age‑appropriate activities in line with the EYFS, with a strong focus on attachment, communication and independence.
• Act as a key person for a group of children, building strong relationships with families.
• Monitor children’s progress, complete observations and support next steps in learning.
• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, health & safety and wellbeing.
• Work closely with the Nursery Manager and Deputy to support room organisation, staffing and continuous improvement.

• Holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years (or above).
• Has experience working with toddlers / Rising 2s, ideally in a leadership or senior practitioner role.
• Has a strong understanding of child development between 18–30 months.
• Is warm, calm and patient, with a nurturing approach.
• Can lead by example and support team development.
• Communicates confidently with parents and colleagues.
• Is organised, reflective and passionate about high‑quality early years provision.

• Sign Up Bonus of up to £250
• A supportive and welcoming team environment.
• Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
• Ongoing training and mentoring.
• Competitive salary and benefits including Paycare, cash health benefit and retail discounts.
• Up to 50% childcare discount on fees.
• The chance to make a real difference during a key stage of children’s development.

If you are passionate about early years leadership and want to play a vital role in shaping children’s first experiences beyond babyhood, we would love to hear from you.

Dean Close Foundation is a growing, vibrant and diverse family of independent schools and nurseries, uniting around a shared vision and set of values. These spring from the origins of Dean Close School, which was founded in 1886 in memory of Dean Francis Close, Rector of Cheltenham and educational philanthropist. The Christian ethos of that original school continues today where the aim is that every child should be given the opportunities to flourish, underpinned by its core values of courage, contribution and love which are the guiding principles behind its educational vision.

The Foundation currently has five schools and six nurseries within its group, creating a strong community that can share best practice, resources and a secure future.

Dean Close Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.