Executive Head of Early Education and Childcare

BS3 Community Development are seeking to appoint an Executive Head of Early Education & Childcare.

This is a senior management position, with responsibility for the leadership, management, performance, sustainability, compliance and strategic development of the organisation’s Early Education & Childcare services.  These services currently include full day nursery provision for 108 children (delivered across two sites), term-time nursery class provision for 30 children, out-of-school services for 50 children, plus selected projects and drop-in groups.

The successful candidate will need to be an experienced leader, with expertise in the field of early education and childcare and a recognised graduate level qualification. They will also need to have good commercial understanding, with experience of managing budgets and resources to deliver high quality and efficient services; experience of working in and/ or a good appreciation of working in the charitable sector would be useful.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Development

The Executive Head is responsible for taking a lead strategic role in organisational and service development, through:

• Developing and reinforcing the pedagogical approach of Early Education & Childcare (EE&C) provision and championing continuing professional development, research and continuous improvement of practice. 

• Leading the development of effective business models, to ensure the structure of EE&C services continually responds appropriately to both opportunities and threats.

• Developing and responsible for the annual budget for EE&C services.

• Maintaining and developing BS3 Community’s strong reputation for quality of EE&C services, sharing best practice and networking to build productive relationships with key local and national professionals and organisations.

• Adopting an innovative, reflective and open-minded approach to leadership with the objective of maximising the potential of existing resources, infrastructure and personnel.

• Actively identifying, and reviewing, opportunities which could support the continued development of the quality, scale, sustainability, research into and reputation of the Early Education & Childcare services.

• Leading a strategic approach to continuous monitoring and self-evaluation of the organisation’s work with children and families, so that policy and practice can be systematically reviewed and improved and a body of evidence is created to demonstrate positive impact.

• Effectively utilising data, research, evaluations and guidance to plan for development and improve outcomes for children and families.

• Developing, fostering and sustaining a positive and inclusive culture, which encourages learning, creativity, collaboration, partnership, wellbeing and a sense of community.

• Work as part of the Senior Management Team (SMT) to; develop and manage the charity, identify community needs and opportunities and determine and achieve priorities, targets and strategies, particularly as agreed through the organisational Business Plan. 

Compliance & Operations

The Executive Head is accountable for ensuring:

• Compliance with statutory requirements and agreed codes of practice at all times; including the EYFS statutory requirements and the FEEE code of practice.

• Robust safeguarding systems in place in accordance with local and national policies including promoting a safe culture for raising concerns including whistle blowing.

• Appropriate systems, policies, structures and frameworks are in place, and implemented, for the efficient, high quality and consistent operation of all services across their relevant sites.

Other Key Responsibilities

1. Represent BS3 Community, plus work with others to communicate with the public, partners, media, service users, families, community members and other stakeholders about the initiatives and projects that BS3 Community is involved in within your community development function as well as any services/ activities provided.
2. To act as a member of the SMT, contributing to the strategic development, the annual review of the BS3 Community business plan and associated budget, and operational management of BS3 Community activities as required.
3. Contribute ideas and actively participate to ensure an effective and positive working environment and strong, community-owned, sustainable organisation.
4. Where appropriate, to be a key holder and responsible person for BS3 Community buildings.
5. Act as an Ambassador for BS3 Community and conduct yourself, plus undertake all work, to a high professional, ethical and moral standard.
6. Work within BS3 Community policies and procedures and uphold its ethos and core values.
7. Some evenings and occasional weekend work are expected.
8. To carry out any other activity that may be reasonably requested by the CEO or trustees.

Notes:

1. As a Senior Manager within BS3 Community you are expected to be flexible in your work in order to fulfil the needs of the charity and achieve agreed goals.
2. This job description is not exhaustive and will be reviewed, in consultation with the post holder, from time-to-time and amended in the light of the changing needs of the charity.
3. BS3 Community operates a system of regular performance reviews, which includes an Annual Performance Evaluation where the Job Description, progress against objectives and targets and overall performance in the post.