Title: Early Childhood Specialist (Regional Based) Salary: DOE Hours: 40 per week / Monday-Friday / Permanent Job Type: Fulltime Location: Field based role – The North The Role The Early Childhood Specialist is a leadership role within the Divisional Operations team in Bright Horizons UK, with responsibility for the provision of hands-on pedagogical advice and support for nursery teams in a Region. This role involves conducting regular nursery visits, as directed by the OD to ensure the provision of the highest quality care and education practices, which meet the needs of children and families. The role works closely with the Regional Director, Nursery Managers, Pedagogical Research and Development (PR&D) team, Health & Safety, Safeguarding, HR and Operation teams, to develop best practice in teaching and learning and ensure high-quality nursery environments. The Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) is directly responsible for effective monitoring of practice in nurseries and hands-on coaching, mentoring, and training of practitioners in nursery rooms, to deliver service excellence for our current and prospective customers. This includes leading change internally across and within nursery settings; ensuring successful application of policy and practice across departments and teams to deliver pedagogical innovation and excellence and Keeping Everyone Safe. In addition, this post-holder will work closely with the Pedagogical Research & Development team and Nursery Managers to implement delivery of the BH curriculum and drive improvements based on observations, nursery visits, regulatory outcomes, and audit findings in order to drive improvement across nursery teams, and secure regulatory compliance with Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes in the UK. The post-holder will be responsible for supporting the successful implementation and ongoing suitability of the Quality Improvement Framework (QIF) and all elements of Nurture Approach and Practices including the Bright Beginnings Curriculum, SEND/ASN and Thrive What We Can Offer You: Our benefits include, but are not limited to: Discounted childcare of 40% (subject to availability) Up to 36 days holiday per year, with the option to buy additional days Smart Health access, including 24/7 access to Virtual GP appointments, fitness programmes and wellbeing support Access to a wide range of discounts across high street brands, travel, utilities and days out Employee Appreciation throughout the year including our annual Awards of Excellence gala’s Happy to Talk Flexible Working Why Bright Horizons? We are driven by our HEART values (Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork). If your values align, you’d be a great fit to us. We’ve also been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006 - as well achieving Great Place for Wellbeing, Great Place for Development, and Great Place for Women. Did you know, Bright Horizons Foundation for Children charity has been established since 2005 supporting the lives of thousands of children and families in crisis, across almost 100 locations? Each Bright Horizons colleague is entitled to a paid volunteer day every year What You Will Be Doing: Providing excellent pedagogical and nursery management advice and support for nursery practitioners in the Region, with responsibility for working in collaboration with other ECSs, RDs, PR&D team, Operations, Safeguarding, HR and Health and Safety colleagues and external partners in Local Authorities and regulatory bodies, to ensure cohesion and consistency across the UK early childhood provision. Ensure high quality, evidence to inform reporting of EC quality measures. Use agreed systems and tools to drive improvement and inform monitoring processes, demonstrating the impact and showing improvements in all aspects of EC pedagogy, leading to the highest quality provision and improved inspection ratings in the region. Develop the required capability and efficiency of the regional nursery teams to enable the highest quality pedagogy, through innovative support and guidance to nursery managers and practitioners. Contribute to the development and delivery of suitable professional development activities and training delivery, and opportunities for nursery growth, to promote individual and team expertise in all aspects of EC development and learning, to secure a highly effective, motivated and innovative team. Support HR, PD and Operations teams in ensuring high quality recruitment of nursery managers and developing effective induction procedures for incoming talent in nurseries. Provide relevant guidance and advice to colleagues in nurseries around EC regulation and inspection in liaison with PR&D team to secure positive environments and first-class experiences for children, ensuring regulatory compliance and consistency. Take responsibility for own personal and professional development, accessing appropriate training and development activities including regular attendance at the Bright Horizons Knowledge Community meeting and research forums that inform pedagogy based on national and international perspectives of ‘best practice’. What We Are Looking For: Highly experienced Early Childhood specialist with proven, experience within medium/large education providers and/or Local Authorities, with experience of delivering high quality early childhood provision, and securing ‘good or better’ regulatory inspection outcomes across multi-site businesses. Demonstrable track record of driving quality improvement through the implementation of successful monitoring and impact measurements, in close partnership with operations and nursery management teams. Confident decision-maker, with the proven ability to support change and inspire innovation; a secure understanding of the complex relationship between business/commerce and pedagogical excellence within a large nursery organisation, with the ability to follow guidelines and work with others to achieve success. Experience of developing high performing nursery practitioners and leading nursery teams, with a successful track record of supporting effective regulatory compliance, quality improvement, innovation and pedagogical excellence. Significant experience (3 years minimum) within the Early Childhood arena, with secure understanding of relevant legislative frameworks, safeguarding and child-protection requirements, pedagogical and operational challenges and national and international perspectives on ‘best practice’ Ability to write clear, concise reports on pedagogy, to highlight salient points and drive improvement. Able to use IT to support all aspects of reporting and input of relevant quality monitoring data to drive quality and measure the impact of EC initiatives in nurseries. Previous experience of working as an OFSTED/Care Inspectorate inspector of EC or education settings Previous experience of working in Local Authority in an Early Childhood context, with experience of quality improvement, supporting early childhood pedagogy in settings and delivery of relevant training and development activities across a wide geographical area Previous experience of managing a nursery, with evidence of improving the quality and inspection outcomes over time, coaching and mentoring others to drive pedagogical excellence and compliance. Experience of engagement with practitioner networks, to promote a shared community of practice that extends over a geographical region and contributes effectively to quality improvement in early childhood settings. Experience of teaching and designing training in Early Childhood related subjects for practitioners at all levels. Expert knowledge and understanding of all regulatory requirements and inspection processes in the UK. Deep understanding of, and ability to disseminate the Bright Horizons Nurture Approach and Nurture Model training programme (internal candidates only). Essential Qualifications: Minimum level three qualification in Early Childhood Education (Essential) Relevant first degree in Early Childhood related subject (Desirable) Post Graduate professional qualification – Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Teacher Status or Early Years Professional Status (Desirable) Thrive Licensed Practitioner status (Desirable) Evidence of continuous professional development and awareness of current pedagogical national initiatives (Essential) - Leadership and Management accredited qualification (Desirable) Adult/Further/Higher Education teaching certificate and/or experience – Early Childhood Studies or relevant subject Excellent influencer, change-maker, and effective communicator (oral and in writing). Highly motivated and driven professional, achieving positive impact and meeting deadlines. Ability to build trust and develop cohesive teams – strong empathy, clear expectations and fair-minded. High energy and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment - calm approach and ‘can-do’ attitude. Encourages colleagues to realise their potential and empowers high performers. Able to use data and numerical detail effectively to inform strategy, measure impact and drive quality. Ability to travel within the UK; flexibility to work at home or from a regional office as required, with overnight stays as necessary. Full, clean driving licence (where regional geography requires) Bright Horizons are committed to creating inclusive environments where everyone has a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to contribute and thrive in meaningful and impactful ways. We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. If you share our passion, values, and have most of the skills listed, we encourage you to apply – as you may be just what we are looking for Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS. Some of our roles require specific qualifications by law, this will be highlighted as essential within the advert. We look forward to receiving your application If you experience any problems, please email europe.recruitmentbrighthorizons.com and we will be happy to help.