Early Years Manager

Willow Den Scotland is a fully outdoor nature-based early learning and childcare (ELC) organisation. Our nurseries are designed for children aged 3 years to school age located in a range of locations across Scotland. Willow Den will measure its achievements through its sustainable profit for purpose model, and its social impact.

Willow Den was founded in 2020 by Inspiring Scotland to increase the availability and accessibility of outdoor early learning across Scotland, enabling more children to thrive outdoors. Inspiring Scotland has been supporting the development of outdoor play through its various funds since 2008, establishing Willow Den as a trading arm further demonstrates its commitment in this area.

Willow Den Scotland’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Scotland through access to fully outdoor Early Learning and Childcare.

Role Description

We are looking for an experienced, high performing Early Years Manager who would love to take on the challenge of developing our Early Years setting based within the grounds of the Spartans Community Foundation in North Edinburgh.

The role is ideally suited to an individual who thrives on a new challenge, loves the outdoors and is confident in delivering high-quality outdoor ELC.

Supported by a central management, financial, marketing and administrative team the right candidate will take responsibility for the daily operation of the setting, leading on curriculum planning, compliance, risk assessments and staff management.

Priorities

Our organisation has identified 5 headline priorities:

• To enable children in Scotland to play, learn and thrive outdoors
• To generate profit for purpose
• To work collaboratively with existing outdoor ELC providers nationally and locally
• Develop our outdoor model to become a mainstream choice for parents
• Expand and effectively monitor, measure, and communicate our social impact.

The Willow Den team will have a range of different backgrounds and experiences; however, all will be united in their support of outdoor Early Learning and Childcare, and seeing it grow in scale and impact.

Benefits

We are offering a competitive package including 37 days annual leave, a 7% employer pension contribution, 3 paid inset days per year, discounted childcare and all the support and encouragement you need to succeed and develop your own career.

The role is 40 hours per week, job share and part-time applications will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Direct responsibility for the daily operations of the nursery setting, including our team and children
• Work jointly with the Senior Management Team on recruitment
• Lead on curriculum planning for learning incorporating all relevant documents (RtA, GIRFEC, Planning tools)
• Plan and manage resources and equipment
• Support the ELC team in developing clear communication with parents and families
• Lead on planning for improvement using HGIOELC/Care Inspectorate Quality Framework
• Write regular management reports, with finance and quality improvement and performance updates.
• Proactively manage staff, carrying out induction training, staff meetings/reviews setting clear work goals and objectives
• Lead on compliance in line with local and national regulatory and legislative requirements: SSSC, Care Inspectorate, Local authority
• Oversee risk assessments
• Work collaboratively with the marketing team to develop promotional material

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Problem-solving and logical approach

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Qualified to or working towards SCQF level 9 (BA Childhood Practice/PDA)
• Full, clean PVG membership
• Must be able to register with SSSC as Manager/Lead Practitioner
• Experience leading/managing high-quality ELC settings
• Excellent knowledge of Curriculum for Excellence & Realising the Ambition
• Competent at self-evaluation for improvement using HGIOELC and/or Quality Framework ELC (Care Inspectorate)
• Experience writing and implementing policies and procedures
• Good understanding of the National Standard requirements
• Experience managing Care Inspectorate expectations
• Experience of Care Inspectorate inspections
• Experience with Health and Safety procedures and Risk Management
• Competent with Microsoft word, online communication, social media and relevant children’s learning journals

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of outdoor play/learning e.g. CPD formal certifications
• Experienced in leading/managing and indoor/outdoor or fully outdoor ELC
• Experience managing budgets
• Training/CPD in outdoor skills/knowledge
• Knowledge of reflective planning/planning in the moment

Personal Qualities

• Approachable and friendly, ‘ a people person’
• Strong management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Passion for leading outdoor learning
• Collaboration and team working comes naturally
• Can train/coach/support staff team

Diversity and Inclusion

Willow Den Scotland is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from individuals from all backgrounds. We actively challenge inequality and embrace diversity. We recruit people who are united in their support of outdoor Early Learning and Childcare and who take an active role in the growth and impact the outdoors has on children in Scotland.

Terms of Engagement

• Reporting to the Operations Manager of Willow Den Scotland
• Hours of work: Full Time 40 hours per week (Part Time/Job Share/Flexible Working options are available)
• Salary Scale: £35,000 – £37,000 per annum, based on skills and experience
• Contract Basis: Permanent
• Annual leave: 29 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays
• Employer pension contribution 7%
• Discounted Childcare
• Location: North Edinburgh

How to Apply

Please email a completed Application Form to the HR team at jobs@willowden.scot by 12 noon Friday 26th January 2024.

For more information or if you have any questions about the role or to speak to us of any reasonable adjustments you require please contact Kathie at jobs@willowden.scot