Third in Charge & SENDCo

Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Little Adventures Nursery, Weston-Super-Mare
Rate: £15.05 per hour
Reports to: Nursery Manager / Deputy Nursery Manager

Role Purpose

The Third in Charge & SENDCo plays a key leadership role within the nursery, supporting the Nursery Manager and Deputy Nursery Manager in the day-to-day running of the setting while taking responsibility for leading and coordinating Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.

The role combines strong early years practice with leadership, safeguarding, inclusion and SEND responsibilities. The post holder will help ensure that every child receives high-quality care, learning and development opportunities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with particular focus on identifying and supporting children who may have additional needs.

The Third in Charge & SENDCo will act as a positive role model for the team, supporting practitioners to deliver consistently high standards of care and education and helping to create an inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Day-to-Day Management

• Support the Nursery Manager and Deputy Nursery Manager with the effective day-to-day operation of the nursery.

• Take responsibility for the nursery in the absence of the Nursery Manager and Deputy Nursery Manager, as delegated.

• Provide visible, confident and supportive leadership to practitioners across the nursery.

• Support the organisation of staffing, deployment and daily routines to ensure children's needs are consistently met.

• Support the implementation and monitoring of nursery policies, procedures and quality standards.

• Act as a positive role model, demonstrating professionalism, reliability, accountability and a commitment to the nursery's ARCH values.

• Support colleagues through coaching, guidance and constructive feedback.

• Contribute to staff meetings, supervision, training and professional development.

• Support the Nursery Manager with identifying and addressing areas for improvement.

• Help maintain a positive, collaborative and inclusive team culture.

Childcare, Learning & Development

• Provide high-quality care, learning and play experiences for children aged 0–5.

• Support practitioners to plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate experiences in line with the EYFS.

• Ensure learning environments are safe, stimulating, inclusive and responsive to children's individual needs.

• Observe, assess and monitor children's development, contributing to appropriate next steps and planning.

• Support effective transitions, including settling-in, room moves and transitions to school.

• Promote children's independence, confidence, wellbeing and emotional development.

• Ensure children's individual interests, strengths and needs are reflected within their learning experiences.

SENDCo Responsibilities

• Take the lead responsibility for SEND provision within the nursery.

• Act as the main point of contact for SEND-related matters for practitioners, families and relevant professionals.

• Support the early identification of children who may have additional needs.

• Ensure the nursery follows the graduated approach of Assess, Plan, Do and Review.

• Work closely with practitioners to develop appropriate SEND Support Plans and targeted strategies.

• Support the implementation of reasonable adjustments and adaptations to activities, environments and teaching approaches.

• Monitor children's progress and evaluate the effectiveness of SEND support.

• Work collaboratively with parents and carers to understand children's individual needs and agree appropriate support.

• Support families through SEND-related processes and provide clear, sensitive and professional communication.

• Liaise with external professionals and agencies where appropriate, including Local Authority Inclusion Teams, Health Visitors, Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Portage and other specialists.

• Support applications and processes relating to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), where appropriate.

• Ensure relevant SEND records, plans and documentation are maintained accurately and confidentially.

• Support smooth transitions for children with additional needs, including transition to school.

• Keep up to date with changes to SEND legislation, guidance and best practice.

• Promote a culture where children with SEND are fully included in all aspects of nursery life.

Inclusion, Equality & Diversity

• Champion inclusive practice across the nursery.

• Promote an environment where every child and family feels respected, welcomed and valued.

• Ensure activities, resources and learning environments reflect diversity and challenge stereotypes.

• Support practitioners to recognise and challenge discrimination, bias and barriers to participation.

• Promote anti-discriminatory practice throughout the nursery.

• Work with the wider team to ensure children with additional needs can participate fully in nursery experiences.

Safeguarding, Health & Safety

• Maintain a strong commitment to safeguarding and child protection at all times.

• Follow all safeguarding, child protection, health and safety and welfare procedures.

• Support the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with safeguarding responsibilities as required.

• Act promptly on any concerns regarding a child's safety, welfare or wellbeing and follow the nursery's safeguarding procedures.

• Support practitioners to understand and follow safeguarding procedures.

• Maintain confidentiality and ensure records are accurate and handled appropriately.

• Support children with personal care routines, hygiene, meals and rest in line with nursery policies.

• Promote a safe environment for children, families and colleagues.

Partnership with Parents, Carers & Professionals

• Build strong, respectful and trusting relationships with parents and carers.

• Communicate confidently and sensitively with families regarding children's development, wellbeing and additional needs.

• Support parents and carers to understand the SEND process and how they can contribute to their child's development.

• Work collaboratively with external professionals to ensure children receive appropriate and coordinated support.

• Maintain professional relationships with schools and other settings to support effective transitions.

• Ensure information is shared appropriately and in accordance with confidentiality and GDPR requirements.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to monitoring and improving the quality of education, care and inclusion within the nursery.

• Support internal audits, observations and quality improvement activities.

• Monitor the effectiveness of SEND provision and identify areas for improvement.

• Contribute to action plans and ensure agreed improvements are implemented.

• Support the nursery in preparing for Ofsted inspections and other quality assurance processes.

• Share good practice with colleagues and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

Person Specification

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in Childcare, Early Years or equivalent.

• Experience working within an early years or nursery setting.

• Experience supporting children with SEND or additional needs.

• Good understanding of the EYFS.

• Understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and graduated approach.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.

• Ability to work confidently as part of a leadership team.

• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise effectively.

• A caring, positive, professional and inclusive approach.

• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

• Enhanced DBS check or willingness to undertake one.

Desirable

• Previous experience as a SENDCo, Deputy SENDCo or in a similar inclusion-focused role.

• SENDCo qualification or relevant SEND training.

• Level 4/5 qualification in Early Years, Education or SEND, or willingness to work towards one.

• Designated Safeguarding Lead training.

• Paediatric First Aid.

• Experience working with external professionals and Local Authority services.

• Experience supporting EHCP applications or assessments.

• Experience coaching or mentoring early years practitioners.

• Experience in a supervisory or leadership position.

Skills & Competencies

• Confident Leadership: Able to lead by example and provide clear, supportive direction to colleagues.

• Inclusive Practice: Passionate about ensuring every child can participate, learn and thrive.

• Communication: Able to communicate clearly, professionally and sensitively with children, families, colleagues and external professionals.

• Emotional Intelligence: Able to remain calm, empathetic and professional when dealing with challenging or sensitive situations.

• Organisation: Able to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards.

• Teamwork: Collaborative and committed to developing positive working relationships.

• Safeguarding: Strong commitment to protecting children's safety and wellbeing.

• Professional Development: Willingness to learn, develop and keep knowledge and practice up to date.

Why Work for Us

Our culture is built around our ARCH values: Accountability, Reliability, Caring and Honesty. We believe in recognising success, supporting wellbeing and creating opportunities for everyone to reach their full potential.

We're proud to be a Sunday Times Best Place to Work and a Great Place to Work® certified organisation, reflecting our commitment to creating an engaging, supportive and inclusive workplace.

What We Offer

• £15.05 per hour

• Generous annual leave entitlement

• Continuous professional development and fully funded training

• Leadership and SEND development opportunities

• Excellent career progression opportunities across our growing group

• Employee recognition and reward schemes

• Wellbeing support and employee benefits platform

• Discounted childcare (where applicable)

• Team events and celebrations

• An inclusive, supportive and values-driven culture

Grow Your Career With Us

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Early Years Practitioner who is ready to take the next step into leadership while developing their specialist SEND expertise.

Whether you are an experienced SENDCo looking for a leadership opportunity or a strong Level 3 practitioner ready to develop into a Third in Charge & SENDCo role, we will invest in your development and provide the training, support and opportunities needed to progress.

At Little Adventures Nursery, we believe that great leaders are developed from within. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills, develop your SEND expertise and make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families.