Early Years Lead Practitioner - Maternity Cover

Early Years Lead Practitioner – Maternity Cover

Fairthorne Manor

40 hours per week

September 2025 to September 2026

Salary: £29,938 to £34,205 per annum

Our Benefits

• 100% discount on childcare
• Joining Bonus! Total of £500
• Refer a Friend Scheme
• Health Cash plan - Including Medical/Dental/Online retail discounts
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days
• Option to purchase additional leave (up to 10 days per annum)
• Celebration Leave
• Flexible working
• Career development
• Enhanced Maternity
• Day camps discounts: 1 week free and 1 week at 50% per child per annum
• Campsite and activities discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor: campsite, river hire, activities, day camps
• 30% discount on food in Cafes: Fairthorne, Eastleigh and Andover
• Wellbeing assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Good quality resources and a modern environment
• A welcoming, caring and supportive culture

The YMCA are huge advocates of personal and professional development. When you work with us, you also benefit from:

• Access to 26 online professional development modules
• Attain additional qualifications such as SENCO, Forest School qualification
• Inspiring opportunities to work in different settings and share practice

Job Purpose:

The Lead Practitioner is a key member of our nursery leadership team, with a prime focus on supporting children across the setting who have any form of additional need or vulnerability.

The job holder will be expected to observe children and, alongside keypersons, identify children in need of additional support, develop individual education plans, make onward referrals, and support and coach nursery teams to embed high standards of care to meet identified needs.

As part of the leadership team, the Lead Practitioner will also contribute towards the wider nursery improvement plan, coach and develop staff and on occasions deputise in the absence of the Nursery Manager. This post is primarily supernumerary with an expectation that the majority of time will be spent working directly with staff and children, in rooms and the garden.

Person Specification & Key Competencies:

• Level 5 childcare qualification or Level 3, relevant experience and willingness to train
• Experience of implementing improvements in an early years setting, including demonstrating best practice, coaching staff, setting objectives, and keeping records
• Experience and understanding of child development, behaviour management, SENCO and identified groups of children
• Good knowledge of matters relating to health and safety
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding good practice
• Paediatric First Aid qualification or willingness to train
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (level 3 or above) or willingness to train

Successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are an equal opportunities charity with commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.

Please apply now for this rewarding position and be part of an amazing charity who continue to support and achieve wonderful things within the community.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £29,938.00-£34,205.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Childcare
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person