Assistant Manager / Room Leader (Pre-School & Toddler Room)

Are you passionate about early childhood education-and ready to step up as a trusted deputy to the Nursery Manager? AtLittle Angels Childcare Group, we're looking for an experienced Assistant Manager / Room Leaderto champion quality, nurture our team, and create magical, child-led learning experiences across our Toddler (24-35 months) and Pre-School (36-60 months) cohorts. Our pedagogy-Little Angels DNA-is rooted inCommunication, Learning, Excellence, Caring and Flexibility, empowering children and colleagues alike in a home-from-home environment.

About Southmoor Little Angels
Our Southmoor site is a welcoming, community-rooted nursery at Laurel Drive, OX13 5DJ, designed around mixed-age provision with clear groupings for 6 months- 4 year olds, with a mixture of Full Day provision and term time pre-school room. We run flexible sessions and funded options tailored to families' needs, while keeping learning purposeful, nurturing, and values-led through the Little Angels DNA.

• Requirements:
• Level 3 Early Years qualification (Level 4/5 desirable)
• 36 hours per week / 4 or 5 day week
• Shift pattern between the hours of 7:30am - 6:30pm
• Proven experience as a Room Leader (Pre-School/Toddler) with team coaching/mentoring responsibilities
• Strong working knowledge ofEYFS,Ofsted expectations, safeguarding and health & safety; ready to uphold our open safeguarding culture in practice.
• Confident communicator who thrives in a values-led, family-oriented setting
• A belief that every child deserves the very best start in life

• Lead the nursery in the Manager's absence, ensuring smooth daily operations across Toddler and Pre-School rooms, deployment/rota, and briefings.
• Create playful, language-rich, sensory experiences that build confidence, independence, and curiosity.
• Drive school-readiness with child-led provocations that challenge thinking, problem-solving, and self-expression; model self-serving/independence during routines.
• Coach, mentor and model outstanding practice for practitioners and apprentices, aligning curriculum impact to theLittle Angels DNA.
• Champion a transparent, open safeguarding culture and ensure policies are lived in practice; maintain up-to-date training and effective supervisions.
• Lead inclusive practice using theGraduated Approach (Assess-Plan-Do-Review); partner with our Wellbeing and Inclusion Lead, families and external agencies to ensure every child thrives. Experience withsigning/Makaton is a plus.
• Build warm, proactive relationships with families; contribute to parent councils, surveys, and community links to keep feedback visible and drive continuous improvement.
• UseBlossom/Ovivio confidently for attendance, groups, and sessions; support accurate records and smooth daily operations.

• Competitive salary
• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Yearly award ceremonies
• 30% discount on childcare
• 4.5 weeks' holiday, plus all Bank Holidays off. A generous childcare discount and 24/7 access to a Bupa helpline for confidential advice and support-reflecting our family-focused culture.