EARLY YEARS LEAD EDUCATOR – JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job title: Early Years Lead Educator 

Location: Inishowen Montessori Playschools Ltd

8-17 Gaelic Park

Carndonagh

Co Donegal

Accountable to: Service Directors & Management

Essential Qualification: Minimum QQI 7 Early Childhood Education or Equivalent

Essential Experience: Minimum of 3 years experience in a leading childcare role

Rate of Pay: €17.50 p/h

Hours of Work: 40-45 hours per week

A Lead Educator (Room Leader) means a worker who is wholly or mainly in direct contact with Children and who is involved in the education and/or care of children.  In addition, an appointed Lead Educator/Room Leader will have responsibility for the education and/or care for a group of children, leading the practice with that group of children.

ERO Definition (September 2022) 

MAIN JOB PURPOSE 

To be the lead educator in the room and to take responsibility for ensuring high quality and best practice standards are maintained in the designated room and in the service, generally. This a key supervisory position of accountability.  This role involves close co-operation with the Manager and the Early Years Educators in relation to the overall delivery of service provided by the Service. The post-holder should also understand the links between the service and the various activities provided by the service as part of the overall service management.

Overall Duties

• To report to the Manager 

• To act as a positive role model and lead the staff team in the room in the delivery of a programme of the highest standard and in accordance with Aistear and Síolta both indoors and outdoors.

• To, guide, observe, stimulate and supervise children in a safe and caring environment as part of the team. 

• To act, if required as a key worker to specified children

• Ensure the safety, security and well-being of all children in your care.

• To adhere to the Child Care 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, the Child Care Act 1991, and all other relevant legislation and Regulations.

• To adhere to good practice guidelines in relation to Aistear, Síolta, and policy documents 

• Ensure the safety, security and well-being of all children in your care.

• To ensure all quality and safety standards are maintained in the Service always with specific responsibility for your designated room.

• To be knowledgeable of all policies and procedures and to follow them accordingly.

Staff 

• Provide direction and support to the other practitioners in your room.

• To ensure the staff: child ratios are compliant with the most current Early Years Regulations always.

• To monitor and supervise the practice of practitioners in the room. 

• Give constructive formal and informal feedback to staff regularly based on your observations in the room (one to one meetings, room meetings) 

• To report any issues in relation of staff members to the Manager 

• To manage room rosters in conjunction with the Service Manager, as may be required.  

• To be responsible for supporting students in your room under the direction of the Service Manager. 

• To encourage staff and support the Service Manager to maintain a good working atmosphere in the service.

Member of Staff Team Responsibilities

• To be a member of the team engaging with the other team members and fostering good relations 

• To ensure that you respect the rights of the children in the care of the service. 

• To present a professional appearance and adhere to the dress code.

Management/Administration

• To be the contact point for all information related to your room. 

• To ensure Room Registers are completed, up-to-date and amended when a change occurs. 

• To be fully versed in all issues relating to the room (children, staff, parents) 

• To be the main decision maker in the room and take appropriate actions and to communicate to the practitioners and Service Manager in line with your responsibility as Room Leader.

• To be responsible for the completion of all paperwork in the designated room 

• To do a daily check that the room team have completed all records appropriately and to sign-off on observations, accident/incident report forms, information forms for parents etc.

• To maintain up to date necessary records in compliance with the most recent Regulations, role book, accident report book, when necessary.

• To monitor staff attendance in your room and ensure weekly attendance sheet is filled in 

• Ensure that observations are linked to the Aistear themes and back into the individual development plan for each child. 

• To ensure the implementation of policies in accordance with the policies of the Service and in accordance with the Preschool Regulations.

• To ensure that students are supported and directed within the room as agreed with the Service Manager

• To ensure that all new staff are inducted as directed by the Service Manager

Health and Safety 

• To be responsible for the health, safety and well-being of the children 

• To carry out a scheduled risk assessment of the designated room and outdoor area as may be required.

• To bring any possible hazards or risks to the attention of the Service Manager 

• To refrain from engaging in any activity that poses a risk to you, other members of staff or children.

• To have a good thorough knowledge of fire and safety procedures within the service

• To ensure the room team maintain a safe, clean and healthy environment.  

• To keep your work space clean and hygienic 

• To participate in cleaning duties as required 

• To use equipment/machines according to Management instructions 

• To maintain a safe and clean outside environment 

• To maintain a good appearance with attention to uniform, hair, make-up and jewellery in accordance with the terms and conditions as outlined in the Contract of Employment and/or Policies and Procedures

Curriculum/Activities 

• To design and implement a stimulating programme underpinned by the Aistear curriculum and in accordance with Síolta 

• To plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities for children regarding their age and stage of development. 

• To ensure that opportunities are provided for children to learn in a holistic way at group and individual levels.

• To ensure that the programme is inclusive and supports equality and diversity.

• To introduce children to the play equipment based on their individual needs. 

• To provide opportunities for self-directed play 

• To ensure that observations are carried out by all team members in the room recorded and linked to Aistear themes. 

• To ensure that observations are used to create individual children’s development plans. 

• To ensure that all members of the team are linking Aistear themes to the curriculum, art displays and other areas as appropriate.

Care of Children 

• To ensure the protection of children in accordance with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. 

• To be attentive to the children in your care

• To deal with issues as they arise in relation to the wellbeing of children.

• To report to the Service Manager and to ensure that the staff team are encouraged to report any child protection concerns.

• To communicate to children at their level

• To provide personal care if necessary (nose cleaning, toileting, washing) 

Parents

• To promote the service by giving a good professional image to parents and visitors.

• To liaise with parents to keep them informed of children’s progress and wellbeing.

• To ensure staff members in your room greet and meet parents in an appropriate manner. 

• To ensure that all parents receive formal and informal feedback regularly by all staff members. 

• To ensure feedback is given to parents in a constructive and encouraging manner.

• To prepare for and attend parent meetings out of hours, if necessary  

Training and Meetings 

• To undertake first aid training, fire safety and manual handling, Child protection courses, as required 

• Undertake training if requested by the Service Manager and/or the service.

• To attend and participate at meetings as required.

• To encourage other staff members to participate in training or staff meetings. 

Flexibility 

• To be flexible in relation to undertaking the tasks of the Early Years Lead Educator position.

Communication 

• To communicate with all relevant personnel, frequently, in a straightforward, accurate and professional manner and not to engage in unnecessary social conversations when working and supervising children. 

• To communicate frequently with the team members and parents as appropriate

Confidentiality

• The person appointed to this job shall not during the period of employment or at any time after the termination of employment disclose any confidential information in respect of the employer or information relating to the work, children, parents or staff participating or working in the service.

Other Duties 

• To take on other responsibilities as reasonably requested by the Service Manager and/or as may be required by the Centre Management.  

This job description may be reviewed, updated and/or amended from time to time in line with the needs of the Service and as required by the Manager.