Deputy Room Leader- The Lodge Day Nursery

We offer exceptional childcare provision for children aged 3 months to 5 years, in the centre of Ipswich. You will join a team of professional, qualified staff in a caring, supportive setting – we were rated as ‘outstanding’ in our most recent Ofsted inspection (September 2022). 

We work in partnership with families to ensure each child feels safe, secure and has plenty of opportunities to discover new adventures, learn, grow, and thrive.

The Lodge is easily accessible in the heart of Ipswich. Our attractive buildings offer bright, spacious rooms, a large garden and outdoor environment and we are situated close to Christchurch Park. 

We have four age ranges: Discoverers, Explorers, Adventurers and Pre School and children move onto the next stage at the appropriate time, but when they are ready. Our specially designed rooms provide the perfect environment for each age range and children always have regular access to our spacious garden and outdoor areas. Our Pre-School room has a full-time qualified teacher during term-time.

The Nursery opens all year round (apart from Christmas week and a week in August) from 7.30am until 6.00pm. 

We are looking for an ambitious nursery professional, eager to grow their own career, whilst helping us to provide the very best care for our growing numbers of children. We are seeking someone with the relevant experience, skills, qualifications and passion to be our next Deputy Room Leader.

THE ROLE OF DEPUTY ROOM LEADER

As an important member of our nursery team, you will help us to deliver the EYFS curriculum, which ensures a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children attending the nursery. 

You will work closely with other staff to provide a stimulating, safe and caring learning environment appropriate to the needs of the children in our care. 

You will hold a current and relevant childcare qualification NVQ Level 3 or above and have previous experience of working with young children.

YOUR HOURS OF WORK, SALARY AND BENEFITS 

You will join a friendly and supportive team, we offer plenty of opportunities for further professional development, working in a high achieving school in a fantastic area, with excellent facilities for both children and staff.

What you need to know:

You will work for 37.5 hours each week on Mondays – Fridays throughout the year on a rota to make sure we maintain our staffing ratios during the nursery opening hours. 

Your starting salary is likely to be between £23,400 and £24,375 per annum (depending on your skills and experience as a Deputy Room Leader) and we review salaries every April.

All our appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of 6-month probationary period. 

You will have 28 days’ paid holiday each year (including bank holidays) and a further 5 days as paid time off when the nursery is closed in August (one day) and at Christmas (4 days). Giving a total of 33 days’ paid time off each year. We should let you know that holiday (usually 4 days) must be taken during the week each year when the nursery is closed in August, and we will let you know the dates well in advance each year. 

You will be entitled to join our defined contribution pension scheme for support staff (the employer contribution rate is an attractive 10% of your gross pay), and you will receive three times your salary as death in service life cover. You will also join Smart Health, a wellbeing scheme for staff offering 24/7 online GP and mental health support.  

You will be able to use the School’s swimming pool and fitness gym free of charge and you will have a free freshly prepared lunch each day in School (when the school is in session). We also have (limited) free parking available for staff. After 3 years’ service you will be entitled to generous remission (from school fees). 

We have a review and development scheme for staff, to assist in your professional development, and we have a fantastic track record of supporting our nursery staff in training and development activities and gaining further qualifications. 

CLOSING DATE AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.

We would encourage you to visit the nursery’s website https://www.lodgedaynursery.co.uk/news/ and to read the full job description for this role (which you will find on our website: www.ipswich.school/vacancies). Please apply using the application form provided – we are unable to accept CVs in place of a fully completed application form for a role in our nursery team.

Completed application forms should be returned by noon on 3 January 2025 to: Jem Cranfield, Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG. Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential. You can also email your application to hr@ipswich.school if you prefer.

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date and interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 6 January 2025.

PLEASE NOTE 

• Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request.