Early Years Deputy Leader

Join Early Years - The Organisation for Young Children as an Early Years Deputy Leader

Location: Dungannon and Coalisland SureStart - Dungannon

Hours: 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday 09:00am to 01:00pm.

Tenure: Permanent

Salary: Point 7-11 (£27,095.56 - £28,834.48) per annum (pro rata)

Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education?

Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential?

Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.

At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.

In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including a competitive salary, 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays, a contributory pension scheme, options to purchase additional leave, and access to healthcare schemes.

The role

As an Early Years Deputy Leader, you will ensure children attending the SureStart programmes have the best start in life by providing a safe, welcoming, high quality, inclusive early education environment, working to improve the ability to learn, improve health and social development of children, ante-natal to four years of age. The post holder will support and when required lead in a variety of service delivery within the SureStart project

You will work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as 'first educators'.

As post holder you will innovatively support and extend play experiences to ensure early outcomes are achieved.

We're looking for people who at the closing date have:

Essential criteria

1.
a. A QCF Level 5 Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development (Management) or equivalent OR NVQ Level III in Child Care, Learning and Development or equivalent AND Currently undertaking a course of study that will lead to the above qualification at Point 1 or equivalent within two years from the date of appointment.

2.

Two years' experience working with young children in a group-based setting (paid/voluntary experience is acceptable - (Please note student placements cannot be considered as part of the 2-year experience criteria .

Desirable criteria

1. BA in Early Years Childhood Studies or equivalent

To find out more about the role and to apply, visit our website by clicking the Apply button below.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday, 28 September 2026.

For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.