Team Leader - Sure Start Whitley
| Posting date: | 27 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,699 to £39,152 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 15 March 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | DOC0050 |
Summary
12 months fixed term
Are you an experienced Early Years practitioner ready to step into a leadership role where you can truly make an impact?
Sure Start Whitley Nursery is looking for an inspiring, organised, and child‑centred Early Years Team Leader to lead high‑quality practice and support our dedicated team.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about early education, thrives in a fast‑paced environment, and is committed to delivering the very best outcomes for children aged 0–5.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
As an Early Years Team Leader, you will play a key role in shaping the day‑to‑day practice within your room and ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. You will:
Lead and supervise a team of Early Years Educators, modelling excellent practice.
Ensure the EYFS statutory requirements are met and embedded across your room.
Maintain high standards of safeguarding, acting as a Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Provide “in the moment” teaching and create enriching learning opportunities.
Oversee observations, assessments, and progression for all children in the room.
Coordinate the key person system and act as a key person for your group.
Monitor and support children with additional needs, working closely with the SENCo.
Communicate effectively with parents/carers, sharing progress and building strong partnerships.
Manage daily routines, staffing ratios, room organisation, and transitions.
Support the Nursery Manager and Deputy, including stepping up in their absence.
Assist with events, parent meetings, open days, and staff training.
Complete audits and quality monitoring to drive continuous improvement.
About you
We are looking for someone who is confident, proactive, and committed to delivering exceptional early years care.
You will bring:
A Level 3 Childcare/Early Years qualification.
Strong experience in early years practice and working with families.
A caring, approachable, and positive attitude.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to lead, motivate, coach, and support staff.
Understanding of children’s developmental needs from 2 months to 5 years.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.
Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and high‑quality provision.
Reliability, flexibility, and confidence in decision‑making.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading
Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively
Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential
Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Sunday 15th March 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Are you an experienced Early Years practitioner ready to step into a leadership role where you can truly make an impact?
Sure Start Whitley Nursery is looking for an inspiring, organised, and child‑centred Early Years Team Leader to lead high‑quality practice and support our dedicated team.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about early education, thrives in a fast‑paced environment, and is committed to delivering the very best outcomes for children aged 0–5.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
As an Early Years Team Leader, you will play a key role in shaping the day‑to‑day practice within your room and ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. You will:
Lead and supervise a team of Early Years Educators, modelling excellent practice.
Ensure the EYFS statutory requirements are met and embedded across your room.
Maintain high standards of safeguarding, acting as a Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Provide “in the moment” teaching and create enriching learning opportunities.
Oversee observations, assessments, and progression for all children in the room.
Coordinate the key person system and act as a key person for your group.
Monitor and support children with additional needs, working closely with the SENCo.
Communicate effectively with parents/carers, sharing progress and building strong partnerships.
Manage daily routines, staffing ratios, room organisation, and transitions.
Support the Nursery Manager and Deputy, including stepping up in their absence.
Assist with events, parent meetings, open days, and staff training.
Complete audits and quality monitoring to drive continuous improvement.
About you
We are looking for someone who is confident, proactive, and committed to delivering exceptional early years care.
You will bring:
A Level 3 Childcare/Early Years qualification.
Strong experience in early years practice and working with families.
A caring, approachable, and positive attitude.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to lead, motivate, coach, and support staff.
Understanding of children’s developmental needs from 2 months to 5 years.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.
Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and high‑quality provision.
Reliability, flexibility, and confidence in decision‑making.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading
Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively
Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential
Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Sunday 15th March 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.