Job Title: Early Childhood Specialist
Contract Type: Full Time / 40 Hours per week / Field based
Salary: From £45k per annum plus £4k car allowance (If required) plus bonuses
*Travel is required to our nurseries around Richmond Heathrow Hounslow C+L4
Closing Date: 30th October 2026- Please apply with an up to date CV to be considered for this opportunity
Purpose of the Role
- Support nurseries across the region to deliver outstanding early years education and care.
- Provide hands-on coaching, mentoring, and quality support to nursery teams.
- Drive continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and strong inspection outcomes.
- Lead the implementation of the Bright Horizons Curriculum, QIF, SEND/ASN, and Nurture approaches to help every child thrive.
What We Can Offer You:
- Flexible working and generous holiday entitlement
- Discounted childcare
- Discounts on shopping, groceries, holidays, and entertainment
- Wellbeing support and employee assistance resources
Why Bright Horizons?
At Bright Horizons, we support over 10,000 children and families across the UK, with 98% of our nurseries rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. We're a purpose-driven organisation committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for children while creating a workplace that champions flexibility, wellbeing, and work-life balance. Join us and be part of a team making a positive difference every day.
Key Accountabilities
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and quality support to nursery managers and teams across the region.
- Drive continuous improvement in early years education, quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead the implementation of the Bright Beginnings Curriculum, QIF, SEND/ASN, Thrive, and Nurture approaches.
- Support nurseries in achieving and maintaining Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes.
- Champion safeguarding, child wellbeing, and a Children First approach across all settings.
- Deliver training, guidance, and best practice to develop high-performing nursery teams.
- Partner with Operations, HR, and central teams to support recruitment, succession planning, and talent development.
- Monitor quality standards, analyse performance data, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Essential / Qualifications Desired Experience
- Significant Early Years leadership experience within multi-site nurseries, education providers, or Local Authorities (Essential)
- Proven track record of driving quality improvement and achieving Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes (Essential)
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing nursery teams (Essential)
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, inspection frameworks, and early years best practice (Essential)
- Ability to analyse data, produce reports, and use quality measures to drive improvement (Essential)
- Level 3 Early Years qualification and ongoing professional development (Essential)
- Experience as a Nursery Manager, Local Authority Advisor, or Early Years Quality Specialist (Desirable)
- Experience as an Ofsted/Care Inspectorate Inspector (Desirable)
- Experience designing and delivering Early Years training programmes (Desirable)
- Expert knowledge of UK inspection and regulatory frameworks (Desirable)
- Early Years degree, QTS/EYTS/EYPS, Leadership qualification, or Thrive Practitioner status (Desirable)
- Full UK Driving Licence (Desirable)
Personal Attributes
- Strong communicator with the ability to influence and drive change
- Motivated, proactive, and results-focused
- Builds positive relationships and develops high-performing teams
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment with a positive, can-do attitude
- Uses data and insights to support decision-making and quality improvement
- Flexible and willing to travel across the UK when required
Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.
Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years. Apply today!
We look forward to receiving your application.
#INDECS
Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.
Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years. Apply today!
We look forward to receiving your application!
