Children's Service - Preschool Room Leader
Join Our Amazing Specialist Preschool Team!
Make a Real Difference to Children with Disabilities and Complex Needs
Are you passionate about helping children who need extra support to communicate, play, learn, and thrive?
At The Hamlet, we’re looking for a caring, enthusiastic, and skilled Preschool Room Leader to lead our specialist preschool room supporting children with disabilities, developmental differences, and complex health needs.
This is far more than a typical early years role. Every day, you’ll work closely with children who may need support with communication, physical development, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and medical needs — helping them achieve milestones that truly change lives.
You’ll be part of a warm, highly supportive team where creativity, patience, specialist care, and play-based learning go hand in hand.
And above all — you must be willing to play, get messy, let your hair down, and have fun!
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead a specialist preschool room delivering high-quality EYFS learning tailored to children with a wide range of disabilities and complex needs.
- Create a warm, accessible, and stimulating environment that supports communication, sensory regulation, confidence, exploration, and independence.
- Use visual supports, sensory-based learning, intensive interaction, and communication aids to help every child engage and connect.
- Plan motivating and achievable learning experiences based on children’s interests, developmental profiles, and individual needs.
- Support children with emotional regulation through nurturing, responsive relationships and consistent routines.
- Work closely with therapists and multi-agency professionals to embed specialist strategies into everyday learning and play.
- Ensure safe access and participation for children using wheelchairs, mobility aids, communication devices, or medical equipment.
- Observe, assess, and record progress using systems including Tapestry online learning journal and Access Care planning system.
- Support and guide staff, volunteers, and students while modelling excellent inclusive early years practice.
What You’ll Need
- A Full and Relevant Ofsted-recognised Level 3 Early Years qualification.
- A genuine passion for supporting children with disabilities, additional needs, and developmental differences.
- A caring, patient, and positive approach with the ability to build strong relationships with children and families.
- Confidence working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Willingness to undertake specialist medical training including enteral feeding, epilepsy support, and manual handling.
- Flexibility, creativity, resilience, and a sense of fun!
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
- The opportunity to make a profound difference to children and families every single day.
- The joy of seeing children achieve things others may have thought impossible.
- Specialist training and ongoing support to build your confidence and expertise in disability-focused early years practice.
- A warm, close-knit team who value kindness, teamwork, inclusion, and laughter.
- A rewarding role where no two days are ever the same.
If you’re looking for meaningful work where compassion, play, and specialist support come together, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us create brighter futures — one little smile, one breakthrough, and one achievement at a time.
Safeguarding Statement
The Hamlet is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and at-risk adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will find our full Safeguarding Policy as part of our application pack to read before completing your application.
We are committed to ensuring that all aspects of recruitment reflect this. Short listed candidates will be invited to a two-part Warner and role related interview.
Role Details
Post: Preschool Room Leader
Based at: The Hamlet Children's Centre
Hours: Full Time, 36 hours per week (Monday–Friday), term-time only
Salary:
Starting annual salary (36 hours, pro-rated for part-time employees): £24,111.36
Hourly rate: £12.88
Closing date: 29th May 2026
Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy before the stated closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged.
Interviews: 3rd June 2026
Purpose and Scope of the Role
To work as part of our dedicated specialist preschool team, delivering high-quality care and engaging, play-based learning opportunities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for children with disabilities and complex health needs.
You will play a vital role in helping each child reach their full potential while supporting their communication, physical development, emotional wellbeing, sensory needs, and health requirements.
Responsibilities include:
- Delivering play-based EYFS activities for individual children and small groups under the direction of the Early Years Manager.
- Creating and maintaining a safe, caring, inclusive, and stimulating environment both indoors and outdoors.
- Ensuring all activities and practices meet Ofsted requirements at all times.
- Planning and delivering activities that promote each child’s learning, development, confidence, and wellbeing.
- Providing high-quality care for children with health needs, which may include:
- Administering medication
- Supporting with enteral feeding
- Assisting with personal care
- Carrying out other agreed health-related procedures in line with The Hamlet’s policies
- Working collaboratively with colleagues, families, therapists, and other professionals to achieve the best outcomes for every child.
Supporting our Safeguarding Commitment:
You will be required to hold a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and have supplied at least 2 satisfactory references before starting work. Any conviction or adverse report relating to care, children, at risk adults, or dishonesty would make a candidate unsuitable for this role.
To Apply:
We’d love it if you could submit your application online by downloading our application pack, completing the forms, and sending them to admin@thehamletcharity.org.uk
If you require an alternative method of applying, or documents in a different format, please give our HR Team a call on 01603 215193 or send an email to admin@thehamletcharity.org.uk
Please note that we do not accept CV's
Application Pack
