Early Years Room Leader

Houghton Conquest Lower School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3LL

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible.

• Closing date

  4 May 2026 at 6pm

• Date listed

  20 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £25,504.00 Annually (Actual)

Early Years Room Leader job summary

Salary: SCP 14 - £25504 Actual Salary - 35hrs a week Term Time Only, plus 5 INSET Days.

About this Role

We are seeking a committed and passionate Early Years professional to be our Room Leader to support the delivery of high-quality, inclusive care, play and learning opportunities for children aged 2-4 years. You will play a key role in creating a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment where every child is supported to thrive and reach their full potential, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Houghton Conquest Preschool is a school run, maintained setting and our preschool provides a ‘home from home’ feel in an enhanced and stimulating environment for staff and children. The Senior Leadership Team support, advise and guide the Room Leader to fully support its operation and strategic development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a staff team to create a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment.
• Plan, deliver and monitor engaging learning experiences both indoors and outdoors.
• Act as a key person, ensuring children’s individual needs and interests are met.
• Observe, assess and track children’s progress across the cohort.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessments are carried out at all times.
• Build strong partnerships with parents/carers, sharing children’s progress and supporting learning at home.
• Support children with additional needs and work closely with external agencies where required.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure policies and procedures are fully implemented.
• Attend staff meetings, training and supervisions, taking a lead role when needed.

We're looking for:

• A passionate Early Years practitioner with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to inclusion, professional development and high-quality practice.

How to Apply

If you have a passion for this role and want to make a real difference in a community-focused setting, we would love to hear from you! Visits to the preschool are warmly encouraged. Please contact the school office on 01234 740202 or email hconquest@hcschool.org.uk to arrange a tour.

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities

Houghton Conquest Lower School and Preschool is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. The school and preschool operates a ‘safer recruitment process’. In line with DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education, an online search will be completed for all shortlisted applicants prior to interview.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

At Houghton Conquest Lower School, we believe that a caring school promotes the welfare, health, safety and guidance of every child. We recognise our statutory duty and pastoral duty to ensure the safety and well-being of our pupils.

“The school’s safeguarding arrangements are well organised, securely maintained and fit for purpose.” Ofsted 2019

“The pupils I spoke to informally around the school told me that they feel safe and happy at the school.” Ofsted 2019

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Houghton Conquest Lower School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, ages 2 to 9
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 142 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 9
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Houghton Conquest Lower School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/houghton-conquest-lower-school

Houghton Conquest Lower School has been at the centre of its village community for over 100 years and we continue to strive to be the best place for every child to start their learning journey. Our motto ‘Growing Together’ promotes our ethos of learning not just academically but for all children to achieve their full potential in a caring yet challenging environment. We offer support and encouragement through all aspects of school life. We want to develop confident, honest and responsible young people, capable of making a positive contribution to their community. We help pupils to understand their role by leading by example and because of our values-led foundation to our school.

Please come and visit us as this will more vibrantly convey the energy and enthusiasm of the staff and pupils. Members of staff work together with professionalism and commitment. We make every effort to work in partnership with our pupils’ parents encouraging good communication and shared understanding.

We are justly proud of our school and its heritage and we welcome you to be part of its continued success.

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