Nursery Room Leader

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd; Poole; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in Poole is seeking a Room Leader to manage the educational development of young children. The role includes overseeing a team of educators, planning age-appropriate activities, and ensuring a safe and stimulating environment. Candidates should hold an Early Years qualification and possess strong leadership and communication skills. This full-time permanent position offers up to £15.30 per hour with various employee benefits including childcare discounts and health support.

Benefits

Up to 60% childcare discount

Exclusive discounts via Blue Light Card

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance including birthday off

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Experience working in an early years setting.
• Good communication skills, both with children and adults.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support the team of childcare workers.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to staff.
• Mentor and train staff to ensure high standards.
• Plan and deliver age-appropriate learning activities.
• Organisation of daily routines balancing learning and play.
• Create stimulating environments for children’s development.
• Ensure individual learning plans are developed.
• Maintain organisation of the room and resources.
• Set up activities reflecting children’s work and progress.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Early Years qualification (Level 3 or higher)

Job description

Base Pay Range

Location: Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
Job type: Full Time Permanent
Salary: up to £15.30 per hour
Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries? At Tops Day Nurseries, we’ve been shaping futures since 1990. As the UK’s largest employee‑owned childcare group, we know that valuing people is the key to success. When you join us, you become more than an employee – you become a co‑owner with a voice, opportunities to grow, and a share in our success.

With 38 nursery sites across the South of England, we provide outstanding early years education and childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. With opportunities for apprenticeship, nursery practitioners, nursery managers & casual staff, we are always looking for passionate individuals to join us.

We’re proud to be recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025 and one of the Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK (2024).

About the Role

Our Room Leader looks after the educational and social development of babies and young children up to the age of five. Their primary duties include providing children with a safe environment to learn, helping them to develop basic social and behavioural skills, and engaging them in age‑appropriate play activities.

About the Nursery Tops Parkstone Nursery is a 56‑place Day Nursery & Pre‑School situated in Parkstone, Poole. The nursery runs several extra‑curricular activities including Tops Forest School, cooking school, Boogie Mites, yoga, tooth brushing, football fun and much more!

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
• Health & wellbeing support – NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• A generous holiday allowance – including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!

As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website!

What Does the Role Involve?

• Manage and support the team of childcare workers and educators in the room.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to staff, ensuring a smooth workflow.
• Mentor and train staff to ensure high standards of care and education are maintained.
• Plan and deliver age‑appropriate learning activities that support the developmental needs of the children.
• Organise a daily routine that balances learning, play, and rest.
• Create stimulating environments with engaging activities that encourage children’s curiosity and development.
• Ensure individual learning plans are developed to meet the needs of each child.
• Ensure the room is always well‑organised and that all resources are available and used effectively.
• Set up activities and create displays that reflect the children’s work and progress.

What Are We Looking For?

• Early Years qualification (Level 3 or higher) in childcare.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Experience working in an early years setting.
• Good communication skills, both with children and adults.

Important Safeguarding Information

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
• Be eligible to work in regulated roles – not on the Children’s Barred List.
• Successfully complete background and reference checks.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

Apply Now

Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries

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