Please see below details of a job vacancy with our Preschool
St John’s URC Preschool: Preschool Leader
About us: We are a small, friendly, local Preschool providing care and play-centred learning for 2–4-year-olds based in St John’s Church, Lynwood Grove, Orpington. Now in our 52nd year we aim to be a caring part of our local community, caring about children, carers and staff alike. After being with us for 21 successful years, our present Leader is retiring, and we are looking for new leadership. For further information on our Preschool see here.
Our ethos Our Pre-School seeks to reflect the Christian ethos of the United Reformed Church and aims to play its part in St John’s wider service to the local community. We believe that everyone, child or adult, should be treated with compassion, fairness and sensitivity. We do not seek to impose the Christian faith upon children or leaders in our Pre-School, and in order to reflect the rich diversity of our community, our children also learn about other faiths and cultures.Safeguarding requirement: St John’s URC Preschool Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.
| Position Title | Leader |
| Location | St John’s URC, Lynwood Grove, Orpington |
| Reporting to | Chair, Management Committee |
| Salary | 9,500 Pro Rata |
| Setting | Preschool |
| Effective date of JD | 07/01/2026 |
Job Purpose including main duties and responsibilities:
To manage the day to day running of the pre-school to include coordinating the provision of a caring, safe, secure and stimulating environment, meeting all Ofsted requirements, and meeting the individual needs of all children attending the Preschool.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- To plan a range of activities based on an observation and assessment cycle for children in our Preschool, and actively work with the children during Preschool sessions.
- Managing the staff team, working with the management committee to ensure policies and procedures are implemented at all times
- To ensure regular staff meetings take place, and undertake Supervision meetings where necessary.
- To oversee a successful, high-quality Preschool, ensuring that standards are met and children continue to receive the excellent quality care and education for which it is known.
- Fulfilling duties as the Safeguarding Designated Officer for the Preschool to promote the safeguarding and welfare of the children, staff and parents/carers
- To act as a Key person to a small group of children
- To attend any meetings required by Bromley Early Years, or deemed necessary by the Management Committee.
- To promote the Preschool to current parents and potential customers.
Hours of work: Monday (am), Wednesday (am&pm), Friday (am) total – 14.5 hours per week
41 weeks per year (to include 1 week before or after each term)
Pay: 9,500 Pro Rata
Reporting to: Line Manager (Chair, Management Committee), Management Committee as a whole
Closing Date: Friday 6th February
Start Date: March 2026
This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and the post holder will be required to undertake any other reasonable duties discussed and directed by the line manager. The post holder is also expected to be flexible and adaptable in their approach to fulfilling their duties.
Person specification:
| Attribute | Essential | Desirable |
| Management of people | Proven ability to lead activity planning sessions Proven ability to take key decisions independently | |
| Experience | Considerable, proven experience of working within an early year and childcare setting Experience of working with the Early Years Foundation Stage and other relevant learning programmes/strategies e.g. contributing towards individual education plans Knowledge of child development and learning processes with reference to particular barriers to learning Experience of working as part of a team Experience of working with other agencies and professionals Experience of having kept written records of children’s achievements including observations | Experience in SEN |
| Practical Skills | Ability to promote and market the service to the wider community Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with colleagues, parents, carers and children Good organisational, record keeping, planning skills Ability to work independently using own initiative. Understanding and recognition of the principles of equality and diversity Ability to manage multiple tasks, whilst ensuring children, colleagues, parents and carers are respected and listened to. Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities Ability to plan effective learning and care programmes Ability to lead the effective planning of learning | Ability to action plan and respond to local and national initiatives Ability to set ethos and vision for the Preschool and ensure all personnel adhere to it Ability to ensure the learning and care Environment is accessible for all children and parents Plan and lead the maintenance and upkeep of resources in the Preschool Knowledge and understanding of the type of external support that is available to support children’s development and how to access these services. Current First Aid Qualification |
| Communication | Ability to relate well to children and adults including other professionals/carers/parents Ability to set, demonstrate and promote good practice in line with the ethos of the Preschool both indoors and outdoors. Consistent approach with children and parents | Ability to interact with children and support their involvement in physical activities and outdoor play |
| Personal Qualities | Enthusiasm for learning and working with children Able to maintain confidentiality at all times Caring, friendly, approachable, open, inclusive, welcoming, and personable | Flexibility in working hours if necessary |
| Technology/ IT skills | Ability to effectively use ICT to support learning. | |
| Education and Training | Completion of full and relevant early years & childcare qualification at Level 3 e.g. Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young People’s Workforce, NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development Completion of Group 3 Inter-Agency Safeguarding course or the Group 3 Child Protection Refresher course within last 3 years – or willingness to train asap. (for Safeguarding Designated Officer role.) Willingness to participate in other development and training opportunities Working knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage national curriculum and other relevant learning programmes/strategies | Relevant Level 4 Management or Level 5 childcare qualification or higher Full working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation Requirement to participate in training/development as and when identified by line manager as essential for performance of the post. Understanding of principles of child development and learning processes and in particular barriers to learning Knowledge and/or experience of other forms of communicating with children, eg. Makaton |
| Equal Opportunities | Our Preschool and staff seek at all times to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations. | |
| Physical | Able to carry out the duties of the post with reasonable adjustments where necessary. | |
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.
To apply for the advertised position please send your CV to stjohnsurcpreschool@gmail.com
Applications will close on Friday 6th February 2026 but earlier if a suitable candidate is found.
