Manager of Childcare

A.Y.E. Girvan is seeking a dynamic and experienced Manager of Childcare to lead our organisation through the Care Inspectorate accreditation process for our after-school club and, in the long term, expand our provision to include early years services., To be responsible for the line management of a group of the Senior Childcare Managers (After-School and Early Years) in the charity's directly managed childcare provision. To provide leadership, direction and support to said personnel to ensure that all childcare provision is operating with full consideration of the UNCRC, within the law, is financially sustainable and; exceeds the requirements of the Care Inspectorate by providing high quality childcare at all times. To ensure there exists a culture of innovation and creativity within A.Y.E. Girvan's provision to ensure all children and families benefit from a uniquely tailored service., 1. To lead A.Y.E. Girvan through the Care Inspectorate accreditation process for our after-school club and, in the long term, expand the provision to include an early years service.
2. To engage in partnership working with South-Ayrshire Council, local schools, and local third sector organisations.
3. To provide leadership, direction and support to Senior Childcare Managers to ensure all designated settings within area of remit are financially sustainable, are operating in line with legal requirements and meeting A.Y.E. Girvan's standards.
4. To provide regular human resources, finance and quality improvement updates/feedback on nursery performance to the Board of Trustees.
5. To proactively manage all Setting Managers performance, carrying out induction, regular accountability meetings, supervisions, probation reviews and annual performance reviews, and setting clear work and development objectives.
6. To inspire all childcare setting managers/teams to establish and maintain effective learning through a culture of creativity and innovation within each setting.
7. To be the appointed Safeguarding Lead and ensure all complaints and safeguarding issues are dealt with in accordance with A.Y.E. Girvan's policies and procedures, to carry out investigations and be involved in disciplinary and grievance issues and or safeguarding investigations as necessary.
8. To ensure HR and people management activities (e.g. recruitment, contracts, payroll reporting, annual leave, sickness absence, grievances, disciplinaries and leavers) are carried out in accordance with A.Y.E. Girvan's policy and practice within designated settings.
9. To chair the interview panel for all senior staff within designated childcare settings and deliver a comprehensive six-month induction and probation programme for new setting managers.
10. To address performance management issues promptly and effectively, and to support managers in promptly addressing performance issues within their staff teams.
11. To ensure that Senior Childcare Managers and their staff are fully aware of health & safety procedures and infection control and; carry out regular risk assessments, equipment checks and fire drills.
12. To carry out regular premises checks to ensure the physical environment of the settings are maintained to a high standard and comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and adhere to food safety and COSHH regulations.
13. To support managers with setting annual budgets and to monitor the performance of each setting against budget, ensuring prompt action is taken where performance is below target.
14. To ensure managers utilise places to their maximum potential.

1. BA Childhood Practice and SSSC registered.
2. Proven experience of empowering and supporting quality improvement in settings to secure and maintain at least a good or outstanding Care Inspectorate inspection outcome.
3. Recent experience of effective management in an early years setting in the locality of South Ayrshire.
4. Proven ability to work with key stakeholders including local authorities and volunteers to coordinate and drive quality improvement.
5. Experience of effective budget setting, monitoring and action planning.
6. Working experience of forest nursery practices.
7. Proven experience of effective management of staff, setting targets, performance management including conduct and capability issues and dealing with complex issues.
8. Ability to plan and organise own work/workload.
9. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Care Inspectorate registration requirements, the Early Years Foundation Stage and relevant quality assurance and improvement models and statutory requirements including health and safety and safeguarding children.
10. Ability to influence and communicate to a high standard in person and in writing, with volunteers, staff, early years settings and external bodies and organisations.
11. Understanding of and commitment to, inclusion, diversity and equality.
12. Able to travel to childcare settings within the defined geographical area promptly at short notice and to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings. Occasionally to travel to another area to support a childcare setting/manager.