An Cosán is currently seeking an enthusiastic EARLY YEARS EDUCATION
LEAD for our Early Years’ services in Cabra, Whitehall and Tallaght.
This role plays a critical part in the provision of high-quality Early
Childhood Education and Care for our communities.
The role requires an experienced and passionate early childhood
professional with a commitment to ensuring the best quality care and
education to provision of children and families.
They will collaborate with their colleagues and other teams within the
organisation to ensure outcomes and objectives for development of the
service are realised.
The Early Years Education Lead will operate within the ethos, values,
policies and procedures of An Cosán, particularly in relation to
Equal Opportunities.
JOB TITLE: EARLY YEARS EDUCATION LEAD
QUALIFICATION: BA (minimum) in Early Years Education and Care
EXPERIENCE: At least seven years’ experience in the early years’
sector, with a minimum of five years’ management experience in the
Early Years sector.
REPORTS TO: Deputy CEO
DIRECT REPORTS: Early Years Centre Managers
CONTRACT: FT or * hours per week, permanent
SCHEDULE: Monday to Friday (no weekends)
PROBATION: 9 months
LOCATIONS: Tallaght, Whitehall & Cabra
BENEFITS: Additional leave; free on-site parking.
AN COSÁN
An Cosán (Irish for “The Path”) is Ireland’s largest community
education organisation. The mission of An Cosán is to bring about
social equality and an end to poverty through the provision of early
years’ supports, community-based adult education, wrap around family
supports and counselling services, and to bring about social equality.
An Cosán is at the forefront nationally in the provision of high
quality and inclusive early childhood education and care. The Early
Years team in An Cosán has grown significantly to provide seven
services in total across Dublin city. There are three services in
Tallaght, three in Cabra, and one in Whitehall. Services are
consistently recognised by external evaluation for their achievement
of quality standards and the use of Highscope curriculum.
THE ROLE
The Early Years Education Lead is the primary designated person in
overseeing the early years education and care services and leads the
day-to-day management of these services.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
The Early Years Education Lead will be responsible for the overall
management of our high-quality early years’ services. The post
holder will ensure all good practice standards are met in the delivery
of the early education and care programme. The practice in the
services should be regularly reviewed and evaluated to ensure
standards are continuously developed and maintained. The Early Years
Education Lead will also be responsible for the efficient financial
management and operations of the services.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Support, mentor, and liaise with seven Early Years Managers to
oversee the ongoing successful management of the early year's
services.
* Ensure all services are effective in supporting children to meet
key outcomes and operate at full capacity while providing access for
priority groups.
* Oversee and support Early Years Managers with the development of
the curriculum for each service, ensuring that the activities and
programmes are linked to Highscope, Aistear, the National Curriculum
and Síolta, the National Quality Framework.
* Ensure that all elements of the services are delivered in
compliance with the Childcare Act * (Early
Years Services) Regulations *, and the National
Standards for Preschool Services and any other legal or best practice
standards.
* Ensure accurate and up-to-date records are kept for all aspects of
the service necessary to the running of the full day service in
accordance with the Child Care Act * (Early
Years Services) Regulations *, the Child Care
Act *, the Department of Children, Equality,
Disability, Integration and Youth, Children First: National Guidance
for the Protection and Welfare of Children and the Department of
Health and Children ‘Our Duty to Care’.
* Oversee the development of quality improvement strategies within
the services to enhance the quality of experiences for all children,
families, and staff.
STAFF MANAGEMENT
* Recruitment and induction of Early Years Managers when necessary.
* Oversee staffing requirements as set out in the Childcare Act
* (Early Years Services) Regulations, **Apply
on the website**.
* Act as a positive role model and provide leadership to Early Years
Managers in relation to all elements of practice so that they can
effectively fulfil their roles within the services.
* Ensure that quality standards are maintained in relation to the
professionalism of staff as set out in the relevant standards.
* Support Early Years Managers in the recruitment of staff, staff
induction and orientation, staff training and development, staff
support and supervision.
* Ensure all HR policies and procedures are actively managed.
* Identify training needs and source training opportunities. Provide
regular professional supervision for Early Years Managers through
regular meetings.
* Ensure Early Years Managers keep staff up to date with all
mandatory training as appropriate to the position (First Aid, Fire
Safety, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling, Child Protection and HACCP).
CHILD PROTECTION
* To act as Designated Child Protection Liaison Person in the
service in line with Children First: National Guidance for the
Protection and Welfare of Children.
* Ensure all Early Years Managers and staff understand their roles
and responsibilities in relation to child protection concerns in the
service and that they act appropriately if they have a child
protection concern and understand the child protection policy and
procedures.
* Review and update policies as necessary.
FINANCIAL
* Collaborate with the Finance and Communications teams to achieve
full capacity at each early years' service including the use of
creative engagement solutions to maintain financial breakeven.
* Have a sound knowledge and understanding of various funding
schemes.
* Ensure all Early Year Managers are delivering services in line
with requirements under our contracts to DCEDIY/Pobal.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
* Ensure an effective communication system with parents/guardians is
developed and maintained.
* Oversee the organisation of parent information evenings/events.
* Oversee the management of seasonal and family/social events.
HEALTH & SAFETY
* Ensure that the service meets all its obligations as stipulated in
the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Act *.
* Ensure a high standard of cleanliness and that health and safety
is maintained in line with relevant legislation in each centre.
* Ensure each centre is in excellent condition and always in
compliance with the Childcare Act (Early Years Services) Regulations
*, the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act
*, and in line with all Policies and Procedures
of the service.
* Ensure Fire Safety procedures for all centres are in place as set
out by Fire Safety Act * and Childcare Act
* (Early Years Services) **Apply on the
website**.
* Ensure all accident and incident forms are appropriately completed
and maintained by Early Years Managers.
* Ensure regular risk assessments and health and safety audits –
external and internal - are put in place by each Early Years Manager.
MEETING AND REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
* Meet with the Deputy CEO on a weekly basis.
* Prepare monthly board reports.
* Attend An Cosán’s Early Years Working Group monthly meetings.
* Attend full staff meetings in An Cosán.
* Ensure all services are prepared for Child and Family Agency Early
Years Inspection, Pobal inspections and any other relevant agencies
inspections at all times.
* Ensure that all policies and procedures are implemented and
updated as required.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
* Liaise with Policy and Communications Manager on all policy issues
and new developments within the Early Years sector.
OTHER RELATED DUTIES
* To take on other responsibilities as reasonably requested by An
Cosán.
OTHER DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE
* Knowledge or qualification in HighScope curriculum
APPLICATION PROCESS & DEADLINE
To apply for this role, please send:
* a comprehensive, up-to-date CV;
* and Cover Letter (max two pages) outlining your motivation for
applying for this job, your skills, knowledge and experience under the
competencies required for this role, and your salary expectation.
The candidate should include the name and contact details of two
referees who will be in a position to provide professional references
for the candidate. One of the referee’s should be the candidate’s
current or most recent employer. Referees will not be contacted
without the candidate’s expressed permission.
Completed applications for this role should be sent by email to Anne
Genockey, Deputy CEO at a *.
All documents must be submitted in Word or PDF format. For security
reasons, files sent by email as links to documents in shared
cloud-based servers will not be accepted.
Closing Date for Applications: 5PM MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER **APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE**
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
