Lead Practitioner
| Posting date: | 06 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29,938 to £34,205 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 September 2025 |
| Location: | Newport, Isle Of Wight |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | YMCA Fairthorne Group |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Our Benefits
100% discount on childcare
Joining Bonus! Total of £500
Early Years Financial Incentive Scheme, we can now offer a £1000 payment to eligible new or returning staff, funded by the Department for Education
Refer a Friend Scheme
Health Cash plan - Including Medical/Dental/Online retail discounts
Blue Light Card eligibility
25 days holiday + Bank Holidays FTE, increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days
Option to purchase additional leave (up to 10 days per annum)
Celebration Leave
Employer pension
Flexible working
Career development
Enhanced Maternity
Day camps discounts: 1 week free and 1 week at 50% per child per annum
Campsite and activities discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor: campsite, river hire, activities, day camps
30% discount on food in Cafes: Fairthorne, Eastleigh and Andover
Wellbeing assistance programme
Cycle to work scheme
Good quality resources and a modern environment
A welcoming, caring and supportive culture
Job Purpose
The Lead Practitioner is a key member of our nursery leadership team, with a prime focus on supporting children across the setting who have any form of additional need or vulnerability.
The job holder will be expected to observe children and, alongside keypersons, identify children in need of additional support, develop individual education plans, make onward referrals, and support and coach nursery teams to embed high standards of care to meet identified needs.
As part of the leadership team, the Lead Practitioner will also contribute towards the wider nursery improvement plan, coach and develop staff and on occasions deputise in the absence of the Nursery Manager. This post is primarily supernumerary with an expectation that the majority of time will be spent working directly with staff and children, in rooms and the garden.
Person Specification & Key Competencies
Qualifications and Experience:
Level 5 childcare qualification or Level 3, relevant experience and willingness to train.
Experience of implementing improvements in an early years setting, including demonstrating best practice, coaching staff, setting objectives, and keeping records.
Experience and understanding of child development, behaviour management, SENCO and identified groups of children.
Good knowledge of matters relating to health and safety.
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding good practice.
Paediatric First Aid qualification or willingness to train.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (level 3 or above) or willingness to train.
Personal Attributes
A genuine enthusiasm for early years with a passion for raising the quality and standards of the provision for children.
Ability to motivate, inspire and lead others.
A desire to develop others and self.
The ability to communicate and engage with a wide range of people, including children, parents, outside agencies, nursery staff and management.
A genuine enthusiasm for the work of the charity.
An innovative and flexible approach to work.
Successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.
We are an equal opportunities charity with commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.
Please apply now for this rewarding position and be part of an amazing charity who continue to support and achieve wonderful things within the community.