Early Years Foundation Stage Manager

Introduction:

Queen Ethelburga’s is set in more than 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, on the Thorpe Underwood Estate. Staff work as one team – whether they are directly teaching or supporting students as part of the school and pastoral teams, or as part of our estates team making sure that the campus works as it should – to create a vibrant learning and living environment in which every student can thrive. We aspire to excellence, have high expectations of ourselves and others, and take pride in everything we do. We aim to nurture resilient, confident, and independent lifelong learners. The Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Standard is ‘To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have’.

Job Purpose

We are seeking to appoint an innovative, visionary, highly motivated and passionate Early Years manager to manage the effective running of the Queen’s Kindergarten, Nursery and Reception (3 months upwards) and to provide purposeful leadership. The successful candidate will be skilled at nurturing the Early Years team and adept at driving continuous improvement in line with the aims and ethos of the Collegiate. The successful candidate will be required to lead the Early Years team to ensure high quality care, teaching and learning, is provided; whilst also ensuring the sustainability of the setting through taking responsibility for recruitment of children into the setting, and retention through EYFS and on to Year 1 in Chapter House. This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of the Collegiate and the role develops. The role requires flexibility and adaptability and the employees of the Collegiate need to be aware that they may be asked to perform tasks and be given responsibilities not detailed in this job description.

Duties and responsibilities

EYFS Leadership

• A member of the Chapter House management team, with responsibility for supporting the aims of the Collegiate and representing the interests of the Early Years children, staff and parents.
• Promote and lead a safe, stimulating, and caring Early Years learning environment.
• Assist the Student Wellbeing Team with their responsibility for all pastoral matters for children in EYFS and ensure effective measures are in place to support children.
• Manage, nurture and support the EYFS team of teachers, EYPs and teaching assistants and support the Head in the supervision, monitoring and appraisal of the EYFS team.
• Lead on the EYFS curriculum and its effective delivery.
• Ensure year groups remain full and financially stable, and as many children as possible continue their QE journey into Year 1.
• Raise aspirations and monitor teaching and learning in EYFS.
• Ensure the EYFS is ready to meet and exceed all requirements for inspection.
• Oversee and evaluate the effective use of assessment and tracking in the EYFS.
• Work with the other leaders to ensure consistency, smooth transition and progression.

EYFS Teacher

• Be an excellent teacher, providing a role model for colleagues
• Clearly demonstrate effective planning, teaching and organisation, which ensures appropriate challenges for all children and recognises and meets the individual needs of each child within the class.
• Make use of effective observation which informs next steps for all children.
• Ensure all children make progress and evidence progress through assessment and tracking.
• Address any learning needs by setting targets, planning, and delivering interventions, working alongside the Learning Development Department and parents. 
• Keep abreast of educational developments in line with the needs of the Collegiate and particularly regarding EYFS.
• Build positive relationships with parents that benefit the child’s learning and development.

Other Duties

• Share in the overall responsibility for the safeguarding, academic progress, personal development, health and safety, discipline and well-being of all children.
• Participate fully in the Collegiate Review and Development process and engage in appropriate continuing professional development.
• Participate in continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
• Contribute to a constructive and collaborative culture amongst teaching and non-teaching staff across the whole school
• Maintain and develop links with prospective parents, other schools, educational institutions and the wider community.

Support for the Collegiate

• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all children have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school
• On rare occasions attend school evening activities
• Carry out duties on a rota basis
• Participate in training and other learning activities as required
• Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advise and support others
• Supervise pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries, with a range of flexible hours to suit
• 10% discount on Kindergarten fees (aged 3 months to 3 years)
• 25% discount on all summer / holiday courses.
• Significant discount on school fees from age 3 to 18.
• Free private staff gym, separate to the students with state of the art equipment.
• Free, secure onsite parking and electrical vehicle charging points on site for staff
• Free flu jabs offered through our medical centre
• Staff community social events including bonfire and fireworks, Christmas ball, summer family fun day etc.
• 24/7 Employee Assistant Programme
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Increased holiday entitlement for staff with long service
• Long service awards
• Discount on King’s Theatre productions – external events
• Enhanced paternity / maternity pay, including new baby book
• Refer a friend scheme - We believe that staff are our greatest and most valuable asset, and this scheme involves and financially rewards our staff for referring like-minded candidates who join our school community.