Playschool Leader

Based in the Village Hall Greyabbey about 10 minutes from Newtownards the Playschool Leader will be responsible for the day to day running of the playschool sessions to ensure safe, stimulating play and learning, and to provide for the needs of the whole child. This will involve:

Being a part of planning, preparing and delivering play based activities appropriate for children aged 2 years 10 months to 4 years, and making observations of play to ensure progressive learning for the children. This work will be carried out with curricular guidance from the Director in-line with the mission, vision and aims of the playschool, based on the Curricular Guidance for Pre-schools (2018) from the Education Authority.

A new improved curriculum is currently being worked on by the Department of Education.

Leading the staff team to form short, medium and long term planning for the pre-school.

Leading the staff team in the assessment, monitoring and recording of individual children’s development through a system of observations. The Leader will work with the Director to monitor the effectiveness of this system and assist in its evolution.

Responsible for the day to day management and development of the staff team including the allocation and monitoring of work, appraisal and training.

To build and maintain a high standard amongst the staff team, and work towards fulfilling the setting’s mission statement.

• Provide safe, stimulating group play to meet the social, linguistic, creative, physical, imaginative, emotional needs of each child.
• Organise and manage an appropriate learning environment with appropriate resources.
• Help manage liaisons with parents and other relevant bodies to gather the necessary information, for Health Visitors, Social Services and other auditors to ensure that the playschool is satisfying all the necessary legal and statutory requirements.
• Plan appropriate play-based activities for individual children, taking account of guidance from independent early years support, the Education Authority and Social Services.
• Lead the staff team in managing record keeping systems and processes and record progress and achievements in children’s activities systematically, providing evidence of range and level of progress attained.
• Full list of Responsibilities, are available on the job listing on our website here -

• Childcare Learning & Development (CCLD) Level 5 Qualification or engaged on a CCLD Level 5 course as required by Social Services regulations for the post, or a relevant teaching qualification / Early Years focused degree.
• 2 years experience working with the pre-school age group, 3 to 4 year olds.

Location:

The Village Hall, 62 Newtownards Road, Greyabbey, Co. Down, BT22 2QH
.Initially a 17hr per week post over 4 mornings rising to 21hrs from September 2026.

Area:
All of Northern Ireland
Closing date: 13 Feb 2026