Job Description

Caterpillars Preschool, has an exciting opportunity fora Pre-school Manager to lead our highly experienced team.

Well established in our permanent home within the grounds of St Andrews School, CO6 1HL, our Marks Tey setting has 2 age-based playrooms both permanently set-up with age-appropriate equipment and activities. We have access to a large, wooded play area, school playgrounds and fields. Our highly skilled dedicated team brings the EYFS curriculum to life through exciting, stimulating experiences supporting every child to grow in confidence.

Caterpillars is a term time only preschool. We are open for 38 weeks a year. Monday to Thursday between 9am-2:45pm and on Fridays between 9am-1pm.

About you

As the manager, you will have a passion for childcare and early years education. You will build meaningful relationships with the team, our families and our Early Years partners. You must have excellent communication skills and be able to demonstrate Caterpillars values. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in a friendly and creative environment. We are looking for an individual who has a positive, proactive attitude and who is both self-motivated and able to motivate others.

In this role, you will spend the majority of the time working in the playrooms with the children and will be allocated a small number of Key children. There will be additional time allocated for the completion of management administrative duties.

We are looking for a qualified practitioner (minimum Level 3 full and relevant childcare qualification) with a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience.

Previous management experience is desirable, but not essential as This role will be supported by our Executive Manager based at our sister setting in Birch and our Management Committee.

Key Responsibilities

· Understand and ensure the requirements of the statutory framework for the EYFS are met throughout the preschool

· Promote positive relations with an approachable manner and time to listen and support your team.

· Promote a culture of self-evaluation and reflective practice throughout the preschool

· Ensure that Preschool policies and procedures are embedded, applied and adhered to by all.

Hours & Salary

The hours for this post will be as follows

Monday, Tuesday - 8:15-3pm.

Wednesday - 8:15 - 4pm (including a weekly team meeting from 3pm-4pm)

Thursday - 8:15-3pm (includes a weekly management meeting with the manager from our sister setting in Birch between 2pm-3pm which is held locally off site)

Friday - 3.5 hrs management

The Salary for this post will be between £19,500-£22,000 per year, depending on age and experience.

This includes 5.6 weeks holiday pay. You will also receive additional pay each month for completion of learning journeys for any key children you have responsibility for and 2 additional non pupil days in September and July.

Key Requirements of the Role

Level 3 qualification in childcare (full & relevant)

Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) English and Maths qualification.

An enhanced DBS certificate registered on the Update service

Confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK (where required)

SENCO qualification (desirable but not essential)

Benefits

· Uniform

· Paid day off for your birthday

· Pension

· 50% of childcare costs if your child attends Caterpillars

· Ongoing training including first aid and safeguarding

Information about the School

Caterpillars is a successful committee-run preschool which has 2 settings. One which has been based in the grounds of Birch Primary School since 2009 and the second setting in Marks Tey which from September 2024 is now based at St. Andrew's CofE Primary School in Mandeville Road.

Caterpillars is thriving with both Marks Tey and Birch settings having been graded Outstanding by Ofsted over its past 3 inspections. Caterpillars enjoys excellent parental support, a dedicated and hardworking team of staff and a well attended committee. Our whole ethos and focus is to provide the best environment we can for the children and we whole heartedly support our staff in achieving this.