Lead Practitioner/Room Leader
Location: Smarties Nursery, Maidstone
Salary/package: £26,000 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
This role covers the hours of 08:00am to 18:00pm, 4 days a week.
This is an exciting opportunity to join The Education People (TEP) as a Baby Room Leader and shape the early learning experiences of young children within a high-quality, supportive nursery environment. Be part of a trusted organisation committed to excellence, innovation, and making a real difference in children’s lives.
Due to the nature of work being carried out, an Enhanced DBS check (provided by the Company) will be carried out, please consider this before submitting your application.
Who we are
The Education People (TEP), part of Commercial Services Group (CSG) excels in delivering essential services that significantly impact the lives of children. With a team of specialists in various educational fields, they take pride in offering expert-driven services including early years and childcare, equality and inclusion, school improvement and professional development, ensuring comprehensive support for educational institutions.
Why this role matters
The Baby Room Leader plays a key role in ensuring the highest standards of care, teaching, and learning within the nursery. They support the Nursery Manager in leading staff, promoting safeguarding, and embedding the EYFS framework. This role is vital in fostering children’s development, empowering families, and driving continuous improvement across the setting.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead the implementation and promotion of safeguarding, health, safety and well-being policies across the nursery.
- Contribute to building and maintaining a cohesive, motivated, and high-performing team culture.
- Provide quality care, teaching, and learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards.
- Support children’s learning and development through engaging, age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities.
- Ensure the delivery of a high-quality, inclusive environment that meets the individual needs of all children.
- Motivate and inspire practitioners by role modelling best practice and fostering a culture of coaching, mentoring and reflection.
- Develop strong, respectful partnerships with parents and families, promoting their involvement in children’s learning.
- Communicate effectively with children, staff and external professionals to support collaboration and continuous improvement.
What we’re looking for
- Hold a minimum Level 3 full and relevant Early Years qualification (with paediatric first aid and safeguarding training desirable).
- Demonstrate substantial post-qualification experience working with children and families within an EYFS setting.
- Show proven success in implementing the EYFS 0–5 curriculum and delivering high-quality, inclusive education.
- Exhibit strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop others.
- Communicate effectively with children, parents, colleagues, and multi-agency professionals.
- Apply excellent organisational and time management abilities in a busy childcare environment.
- Display detailed knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and equality and inclusion principles.
- Model positive, professional behaviours that reflect integrity, empathy, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
What you’ll get in return
- 25 days annual leave.
- Life assurance cover (4x salary).
- Pension scheme with up to 8% employer contribution.
- Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme.
- Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive well-being programme.
- Tailored learning and development support with real opportunities to progress.
Why CSG?
Commercial Services Group (CSG) is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £800 million in revenue and supporting 16,000 education and public sector customers worldwide. With more than 1,800 employees across the UK, France, Dubai and Bangkok, we are working towards becoming the global leader in education and public sector solutions.
We are expanding rapidly, with annual growth of around 25 percent, supported by a blend of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 33 trading businesses deliver a wide range of services including education management, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and supplies.
CSG is wholly owned by local authorities, and a significant proportion of our profits is reinvested into frontline public services. Over £77 million has already been returned, reflecting our commitment to combining commercial performance with meaningful social impact.
Inclusion & Accessibility
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.
- Department
- Education Support Services
- Role
- TEP
- Locations
- Maidstone
- Yearly salary
- £26,000
- Employment type
- Full-time
- Portfolio
- Children & Education
- Brand
- The Education People
- DBS Vetting Required?
- Enhanced Children
About Commercial Services Group
Commercial Services Group is one of the leading providers of procurement and support services to education and public sector customers globally. Serving over 15,000 customers, CSG is committed to providing an excellent customer and user experience underpinned by social value and a committed and empowered workforce.
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