Edzell is a well-established small pre-school nursery which is undergoing an exciting period of change. We’re looking for a Manager to join us and help lead the nursery in a new direction capturing some of the valued Edzell traditions whilst moving the nursery forward.
At Edzell, our beliefs have been influenced by Montessori and Froebel. Going forward, we will deepen our understanding and application of these schools of thought, as well as Forest Schools. We see outdoor play as part of our vision.
Our opening hours are currently mornings only, but our intention is that the new Manager will help grow our numbers and with the outdoor play, we will be able to extend our hours into mid-afternoon.
The Manager will be supported by a Board of Directors. We also have links with Inspiring Scotland and the Thrive Outdoors team, who are supporting us in our transformation.
Edzell is a happy place to work and is fortunate to benefit from supportive and engaged parents (who often volunteer to help at the nursery). Staff turnover has historically been very low.
Salary:
Dependent on experience, but in-line with Edinburgh City Council rates for a Head of Centre.
Hours:
Four days a week in the nursery during term-time. Mondays, 8.05 until 2.40pm (extended time for a staff meeting) and the remaining days 8.05am until 12.45pm. The Manager will also have an additional 6 hours paid to cover administration which can be done from home.
We’re currently exploring if it’s possible to extend our opening hours until mid-afternoon, so any potential applicant should be aware of this possibility.
Location:
St James Church hall, Goldenacre and outdoor settings local to the nursery.
Job Purpose:
The Nursery Manager is responsible for the continued growth and management of the nursery, and for ensuring the team offer a high quality and caring experience for children.
Key Responsibilities:
With children:
- Take a lead role in developing and implementing learning strategies which enhance the children’s learning experience and are in keeping with the Pedagogy of the nursery.
- To embrace both the traditional and more structured aspects of Edzell which include ‘Monday bun day’, the Spring Concert, Sports Day, Bee day amongst other things, and balance these with child led play and outdoor learning.
- Be confident planning and leading outdoor learning experiences.
- To develop good relationships with children and help to maintain a warm, caring and stimulating environment that will ensure the development of each child.
- Ensure consistency of practice in planning, reporting, tracking, and observations.
- To be a key worker for a number of designated children as well as share in the general ongoing care of all the children in the nursery.
- To undertake observation and recording of children’s progress. This includes updating and managing, as a key worker, your allocated children’s ‘All about me’ folders. It also includes producing written reports on children for their parents/carers.
- Be the lead Child Protection Officer for the nursery.
With staff
- Inspire, engage and motivate the team.
- To effectively line manager the other members of staff ensuring they have objectives in place, have regular update meetings and have annual appraisals.
- Ensure staff have continuous professional development. This may include sourcing and arranging relevant training and development opportunities for the staff. It may also include appealing to the Board to cover the cost of training.
- Record staff absences/overtime/courses.
- Take responsibility for recruitment with support from the Board.
- Discipline staff if needed and deal with any HR issues with support from the Board.
With parents and carers
- Take a lead role with parents and carers, managing enquiries, addressing concerns, complaints and queries.
- Speak to existing parents/carers with their enquiries promptly and effectively.
- To work with the Board to survey parents when children leave the nursery, to get feedback.
- Produce a regular communication to parents.
- Make sure parents are aware of the Pedagogy of the nursery.
Finances
- To stay within budget and report any exceptions.
- To order and maintain equipment and resources.
- To be accountable and responsible for the nurseries day to day financial systems .
- Use the Nursery Management software to record attendance of children.
- Arranging funding for eligible children on the NAMS system.
- Liaise with the Treasurer regarding overtime payments.
Operational
- Be responsible for all the health and safety in the nursery.
- Review existing procedures and develop and implement new processes where necessary in order to meet the needs of the children, parents, carers and staff.
- To produce and submit to CEC a Standards and Quality Report and Improvement Plan and oversee its implementation.
- Ensure Edzell fulfils its registration requirements with the Care Inspectorate.
- Ensure good relations between the nursery, the co-tenants and landlord.
- Support the Board in promoting the nursery by enabling the sensitive use of social media and local community media.
- Keep waiting list updated and manage the enrolment process. This will involve some management over the summer holidays.
- Offer viewings of the nursery to prospective parents/carers.
With the Board
- To cooperate with the Board and support them, where necessary, with observations and insights on how the nursery can be improve.
- To present written reports at Board meetings.
Education/Qualifications:
- Hold a BA Childhood Practice or equivalent qualifications that meets the SSSC registration requirements.
- Must be able to register as a ‘Manager’ with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
- PVG Membership (Children) is an essential requirement of this post.
- Froebel childhood practice course or Montessori training (desirable)
Experience:
- Experience of leadership in an early-years setting with pre-school children.
- Experience of working in a nursery with a pedagogy which includes one or more of the following: Outdoor learning, Froebel or Montessori.
- Planning activities using appropriate curriculum guidance.
- Recording observations and next steps.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Knowledge and understanding of My World Outdoors, Building the Ambition, Curriculum for Excellence and GIRFEC.
- A sound knowledge of child development.
- Knowledge of Montessori, Froebelian and outdoor learning principles.
- Budget management.
- Excellent spoken and written English.
- Some computer and admin skills.
Personal Attributes:
- A passion for early education and empathy with young children.
- A manager who can appreciate the ‘big picture’ and day to day running of the nursery.
- An individual with a ‘can do’ attitude who is solution orientated.
- A person who can work with ambiguity and change.
- A manager who can involve, motivate and inspire their team.
- An individual who is a self-starter, uses their own initiative and take responsibility.
- A person with good interpersonal and communications skills.
- Happy to be outdoors in all weather.
- Well organised.
We’re a limited company by guarantee and operate on a social enterprise basis with all surplus funds reinvested in the workings of the nursery.
Ideally the role will start in the summer term of 2021 to allow for a period of handover. However we will consider a later start date for the right candidate.