Clowns Nursery is relentlessly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Summary of the Role
We are looking for a dedicated, experienced and passionate Early Years Lead. You will be an active member of the Senior Management Team, responsible for the continuous improvement of teaching and learning by encouraging consistency of practice, and implementation of initiatives that are complimentary to and enhance the nursery's vision and ethos. You will be expected to share your time between the duties of a class teacher and the responsibilities of the Early Years Lead. Strong communication, organisational skills and initiative are key to success in this role. At Clowns, we use Birth to Five Matters to meet the requirements of the EYFS.
Role Type: Term-time (Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm).
Start Date: Autumn Term 2025.
Salary: £36,000-£50,000, dependent on qualifications and experience
Location: Cinderella Path, 153 North End Road, London, NW11 7HZ
Our Vision and Ethos
We believe learning should be purposeful, experiential, and filled with awe and wonder. Our approach fosters curiosity, discovery, and meaningful experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning. It is rooted in the latest educational and pedagogical research, ensuring a dynamic environment where children and staff can thrive.
Community is at the heart of Clowns. We are a supportive team where every staff member feels truly valued. We celebrate staff passions and cultural capital; if you love yoga, why not start a yoga club?
The Head knows every child and staff member personally and leads with an open-door policy, believing in collaboration over hierarchy, and guiding the nursery with genuine care and dedication. The Head has high expectations, ensuring a safe, inspiring, and challenging environment for children to reach their full potential.
If you are looking for a teacher-led, reputable independent nursery which champions professional development, educational excellence, and fun, we would love to hear from you.
Staff Wellbeing
We believe wellbeing starts with us. That’s why we offer staff members the opportunity to take part in a 10-week, evidence-based Wellbeing and Resilience Programme, led by our dedicated Cognitive Development and Wellbeing Lead. By investing in our own wellbeing, we not only become better role models of emotional regulation for the children but also create a positive, supportive environment where children and staff can thrive.
Growth Mindset
The Growth Mindset Theory is at the heart of our practice, with the aim of fostering resilience, confidence, and a “have-a-go” attitude. These lifelong skills shape how children approach challenges, setbacks, and learning opportunities as they navigate the world around them. The ideal candidates will share our passion for this approach and embrace a Growth Mindset in their own practice.
What We Are Looking For
* an outstanding, creative, energetic classroom practitioner with a sense of humour and high expectations of themselves and others.
* an excellent communicator with strong subject knowledge who enjoys leading whole nursery meetings and sharing information with the staffing team.
* an experienced EYFS Lead with a proven track record of writing and implementing action plans and reports, analysing data to inform teaching and learning, observing staff, and conducting observations.
* a dynamic and inspirational candidate with a flair for creativity and an eye for detail in designing engaging learning environments.
* passion for the latest educational research and its impact on current practice and supporting teachers and practitioners to develop their own practice.
* a positive role model who is keen to be an active member of the nursery community, continually developing themselves professionally and contributing to the values and ethos of our nursery.
* an individual who thinks on their feet, uses their initiative and supports their team to make the most of educational opportunities for all children.
* teaching engaging and effective lessons that motivate, inspire and develop knowledge and lifelong learning skills .
* Evidence of successfully using a range of management strategies to bring about change at a whole nursery level.
What we offer
* Happy, enthusiastic, and articulate children with a love of learning and high standards of behaviour.
* Longstanding and experienced Head and Senior Management Team.
* Highly qualified staff with rooms led by qualified teachers or experienced Team Leaders.
* High staff: child ratios.
* Dedicated leadership time.
* The chance to join a forward-thinking team, dedicated to continuous professional development.
* A bright and airy purpose-built nursery with specialist extracurricular teaching staff.
* A bespoke curriculum created to engage, support and challenge our children.
* A beautiful location, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, Golders Hill Park and Sandy Wood, our Forest School site.
Essential Requirements for the Role
Candidates must:
* Have Right to Work in the UK as we do not offer sponsorship.
* Have a relevant degree (e.g. QTS in Primary Education), Early Years Teacher Status or a full and relevant Level 5 Qualification.
* Have experience leading and working within Early Years.
* Have a sound knowledge, understanding of, and comply with the EYFS.
* Have an awareness and growing understanding of Ofsted requirements, particularly Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
* Have a registered DBS certificate on the update service or adequate documents to make an application.
* Be committed to equality and diversity.
How to Apply
Download our application form and visit our website. Please note that we do not accept CV's as a form of application, although you are welcome to include a copy of your CV in addition to the completed application form. C ompleted applications to be emailed directly to the Operations Manager, Miss Dudzai Pswarayi, at dudzai@clownsnursery.co.uk .
Applicants must be willing to complete an application for and Enhanced DBS certificate and provide us with two reference contacts. The closing date for applications is Sunday 9th March 2025.
We welcome candidates to contact the Operations Manager and arrange to visit the nursery and meet the Head and Deputy Head prior to the deadline date for applications.
Interviews will be held on the 24th, 25th and 26th March 2025.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to spend a day in the setting to meet the children and staff. Applicants will be asked to complete written and practical tasks, including planning and teaching a lesson, details of which will be sent out in the shortlist confirmation email.