Join our award-winning outdoor nursery in a brand-new senior role that puts learning quality and school readiness at the heart of our nursery.
At Muddy Boots, we're proud to be an award-winning nursery, recognised for delivering exceptional early years education through meaningful outdoor learning.
Everything we do is guided by our core values - Heart, Excellence, Growth, Teamwork and Responsibility - and they shape how we care for children, support families and look after each other as a team.
We've created this role because just one things matter deeply to us is that every child in our nursery is moving forward in their learning with the right support at the right time - and arrives at school genuinely ready to thrive
About the role
The Learning Lead time sits during the nursery day (when rooms are at full flow), and your Pioneers time concentrates around the before- and after-school peaks. During school holidays - when Pioneers pauses - you step fully into the Learning Lead role, giving you protected blocks for cohort analysis, planning the term ahead, building resources, and shaping the school readiness work that sets our pre-schoolers up for the leap into reception.
Nursery Learning Lead responsibilities:
- Hold deep, working knowledge of the EYFS framework and the seven areas of learning, and use that to support consistent, high-quality practice across every room
- Move week-to-week between rooms, observing practice, supporting children, and getting alongside the educator team
- Work with Room Leaders and Deputy Managers to look at cohorts — understanding where groups of children are, where they're heading, and what's getting in the way
- Identify gaps and delays in learning at both individual and cohort level
- Lead our school readiness work — tracking pre-school cohorts against the markers that matter (communication and language, self-regulation, independence, listening and attention, early literacy and number), designing targeted interventions, and supporting children, families, and feeder schools through the transition to reception
- Build relationships with our main feeder primary schools to enable smooth handovers and shared expectations
- Create and lead targeted actions to close learning gaps - through modelling practice, sourcing high-impact resources, coaching the team, or reshaping continuous provision
- Build and embed a clear tracking approach so progress and impact can be measured over time (we'll design this together - your input on the right system is part of the role)
- Communicate with parents through our family app - sharing what each room is working on, the term's focus, and how families can support learning at home, including practical school readiness ideas for the pre-school year
- Use school holiday weeks for deep planning, curriculum design, parent workshop preparation, and shaping the year ahead
- Contribute to room-level quality improvement planning and inform CPD priorities
We're looking for someone who:
- Holds a Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent), with strong working knowledge of the EYFS framework and the seven areas of learning
- Has substantial early years experience, ideally including time in a Room Leader or more senior position
- Brings either direct experience of school readiness and transition work, or a clear interest in developing it as a core part of the role
- Meets deadlines reliably and uses time well
- Communicates clearly and warmly with parents, in writing and in person
- Is a reflective practitioner with a genuine interest in pedagogy and quality of education
- Shares our values and commitment to high-quality childcare
Desirable (or willing to obtain):
- Level 3 qualification
- Designated Safeguarding Lead training
- Experience using observation and assessment software
What matters most is that you've got the early years foundation, the leadership instinct, and the appetite to grow into this role.
Safeguarding
Muddy Boots is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and right-to-work verification in line with our safer recruitment practices.
About the Location
https://www.muddybootsnursery.co.uk/muddy-boots-stamford-bridge
Set on the outskirts of the village of Stamford Bridge, surrounded by beautiful Yorkshire countryside reflecting our hands-on, nature-led approach to early years care.
As this is a more rural setting, your own transport is highly recommended unless you already live locally. Our Stamford Bridge site also includes our Pioneers club, for out of school and holiday club provision for Muddy Boots and local families.
