If you’re exploring options within childcare, you may feel overwhelmed about which path is best for you. From Nursery Room Leaders to Early Years Practitioners and Nursery Assistants, there’s a vast range of options you can pursue when starting your career in childcare.
This blog explores what a Nursery Room Leader is to help you decide if it’s the right career for you.
What is a Nursery Room Leader?
In a nutshell, a Nursery Room Leader is a key part of the management team inside a nursery. They are responsible for the general day-to-day running of a nursery group, ensuring that they are creating a stimulating, positive environment for young children.
As well as ensuring that the nursery children are happy and constantly learning in their environment, a room leader must also be able to establish good relationships with parents and carers.
As this position is a leadership role, Nursery Room Leaders often spend time supervising and mentoring staff members through training and helping to schedule their day-to-day duties.
What are the main responsibilities of a Room Leader in a nursery?
There are a number of main responsibilities for a Nursery Room Leader. Here at All About Children, our leaders:
- Promote high-quality childcare with fun learning activities and games
- Communicate effectively with parents and carers about their child’s development and progress
- Communicate with the authorities if/when needed
- Ensure a high standard of inclusivity to ensure children with complex or additional needs are able to flourish and feel included
- Make sure that children are kept safe and healthy
Depending on the nursery setting, there may be other responsibilities involved. At All About Children, our Nursery Room Leaders get the chance to assume deputy responsibilities when needed, as well as help to maintain the nutritional needs of children.
What qualifications do you need to become a Nursery Room Leader?
To become a Nursery Room Leader, detailed knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum are needed. These are standards, set by Ofsted, that ensure a child is learning through:
- Communication
- Physical development
- Personal, emotional and social development
- Maths
- A general understanding of the world
- Expressive arts/creatives
As well as this, you will usually be required to have a relevant level 3 or above qualification in early years childcare.
Some nurseries may require a 2:1 degree or an equivalent qualification in teaching. However, at All About Children, we require a level 3 (or above) and previous experience implementing the EYFS curriculum.
What are the skills needed to be a Nursery Room Leader?
There are a number of skills often required to be a Nursery Room Leader. These include:
- Good communication skills
- Excellent leadership qualities
- Patient, calm and good in higher-pressure situations
- A good problem solver
- Caring and creative
Nursery Room Leaders are key members of our team. Like all of our Early Years staff, we’re proud that they’re able to play a key role in the development and growth of young children.
Get in touch
If you’re looking for Nursery Room Leader job vacancies, or you want to have a look at our other career routes in childcare, check out the latest vacancies in our nurseries or contact us with your CV to find out more.