Early Years Team Manager

Overview

As Early Years Team Manager, you will lead the council’s Early Years Advisory and Inclusion Teams to drive quality, inclusion, compliance and SEND support across the borough. You’ll shape and implement the Best Start in Life vision, ensuring high-quality support for providers and reduced inequalities for vulnerable children. You will work with cross-sector partners to meet statutory duties and expand high-quality early learning places. This is a mission-driven role for a proactive, customer-focused professional who communicates effectively and uses sound judgement to improve outcomes.

Pay / Benefits

• Generous annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests and flu vaccines
• Onsite gym
• Salary sacrifice schemes

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to the Early Years Advisory Team and Early Years Inclusion Team, focusing on quality improvement, inclusion, compliance and sufficiency
• Develop and implement strategy by understanding the needs of children and families
• Establish and monitor systems to drive improvement and ensure efficient use of resources
• Lead on ensuring sufficient high-quality early learning and childcare places for eligible children across Wokingham
• Collaborate with the council, partners, voluntary and private sectors to align with shared ambitions
• Lead the vision for Early Years within the Best Start in Life Strategy and programme, ensuring high-quality support and compliance across providers

Key requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)
• In-depth knowledge of EYFS, SEND Code of Practice (2015), and relevant legislation affecting local authorities and providers
• Proven track record of improving the quality of early years provision and outcomes for children including those with SEND across multiple sites
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders (providers, schools, health partners, Ofsted)

• customer-focused
• strong communication skills
• sound judgement
• in-depth knowledge of EYFS
• SEND Code of Practice (2015)
• relevant local authority and provider legislation

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