StartBright is a registered charity that provides excellent childcare, early learning and school age childcare services to over 450 children in seven different locations every day. Children in our service come from a variety of backgrounds. We particularly support children coming from communities experiencing disadvantage, children with additional educational needs and children from families with multiple disadvantages. We employ over 80 staff and our services are delivered in a safe, supportive and creative environment.
The Role:
The role of the Centre Manager is to lead, manage, train, support the team to deliver high quality, inclusive early childhood care and education for children and families.
The centre manager will take responsibility for running the centre and liaising with StartBright CEO, Quality Mentor, Finance and Operations Managers in ensuring high quality and best practice standards are maintained at the service in accordance with national best practice, legislation and regulation.
We are seeking an experienced, well organised, ambitious, enthusiastic, results focused team player to join our centre management team. The successful candidate will have prior experience in a similar role and demonstrate a high level of attention to detail, adaptability and the ability to multi-task diverse responsibilities. The candidate will be self-motivated and have the ability to work both as part of a team and on their own initiative.
The work will be guided by the principles and standards of Síolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework & Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016:
Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017:
Early Childhood Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF):
The Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Charter Guideline for Early Childhood Care and Education:
Tusla Early Years Quality and Regulatory Framework
First 5 - A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028
Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School Aged Care 2022-2028
Code of Professional Responsibility and Code of Ethics for Early Years: Department of Children and Youth Affairs etc.
Location: StartBright Bawnogue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
Hours: 35 hrs per week (excluding breaks). Flexibility is required.
Centre operates from 7.30am – 6pm.
Report to: Chief Executive Officer, The Board of Management
Key responsibilities: Quality of service delivery
- To provide leadership, direction and support team to ensure all designated settings within area of remit are fully compliant, financially sustainable, are operating in line with legal requirements and meeting the Early Years Regulations and National Quality Standards.
- Support the team to develop and actively implement quality pedagogy inclusive of a range of policies and practices, in alignment with Síolta and Aistear and the Early Childhood Quality, Regulatory Framework (QRF), LINC and the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Charter Guideline for Early Childhood Care and Education
- To manage the Early Years Hive service provider portal for programmes funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
- Support, encourage and lead the team through change and development at StartBright and sector level
- Engage in delivery of evidence based/ informed practice and research national and international models of quality practices, philosophy and pedagogy.
- Engage in Community of Practices with other StartBright centre managers for knowledge and information sharing, build culture and support new quality developments within centres.
- Develop QIPP and quality goals with educational leaders, educators and Quality Mentor to enhance quality of pedagogy.
- Develop and ensure that logic models are relevant, current, regularly reviewed and updated and to meet the evolving situation of the early education setting in partnership with the Quality Mentor, Educational Leader, LINC, Family Facilitator/PCF and Chief Executive Officer.
- Support educators in best practice in relation to governance and advising on how to build effective partnerships with parents and the wider community.
- Support Educational leaders to induct new educators into the StartBright way and delivering training both at centre level and one to one to assist with upskilling and quality improvement.
- Support and assist Operations Manager and/or CEO with the recruitment process of educators.
- To ensure HR and people management activities are carried out in accordance with StartBright ELC policy and practice within designated settings.
- Address performance management issues promptly and effectively in line with company policy.
- To manage compliance with Mandatory training, DES, HSE, Pobal and identify areas of further CPD personally and for the team.
- Supporting and advocating for student placements by liaising with colleges.
- Liaising with ABC development projects, family resource centres, Better Start, SDCCC, Barnardo’s, focus groups and other relevant stakeholders and organisations.
- Actively seek engagement with research and new initiatives supported by evidence based and evidence informed practice and evaluation.
- Engage in impact measurement in line with strategy and best outcomes for children and families.
- Work co-operatively with other support services within the education sector, the Child & Family Agency - Tusla, the Department of Education and Skills, the local City and County Childcare Committee, Voluntary Childcare Organisations and the community and voluntary sector as relevant to the role.
- Support Pobal, Tusla and Department of Education inspection process.
- Supporting development and review of service policy and procedures.
- To build culture and employee engagement and help make StartBright a ‘Great Place to Work’.
Key administrative responsibilities:
- Complete and maintain records and reports pertaining to the role.
- Ensure all administration back-up and support on progress is kept updated by maintaining all relevant systems.
- Provide periodic progress updates to the Operations Manager, Quality Mentor and Chief Executive Officer
- Review, develop and maintain efficient and effective administrative and information systems.
- Participate in and assist in the organisation of special events, visits and any other activities required.
- Participate in external evaluation of the service.
- Ensure impact measurement and research engagement it maintained and developed upon.
Continuous Improvement
- Participating in training relevant to the post and bringing evidence based best practice and concepts to the attention of the senior management team and centre team.
- Research, develop and implement best practices and standards to ensure quality Early Childhood Education & Care
- Discussing continuous improvements and quality of service at the monthly management meetings and implementing appropriate changes as agreed with the senior management team.
- Discussing continuous improvements and quality of service at the quarterly manager meetings and facilitating/implementing appropriate changes at centre level.
- Ensuring continuous professional develop across the organisation is both relevant to day to day but also capturing strategic vision and implementation.
Other
- Any other duties within the general requirements of the role that may be assigned as appropriate
Essential Experience Requirements:
- A Minimum third level qualification at Level 8 (or equivalent) on the National Framework of Qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care / or an equivalent professional qualification in a related profession
- A Minimum of 3 years experience of working in a similar leadership and management role
- Knowledge of and experience in best practice for service delivery to children and families
- Knowledge of the Early Child Care and Education Sector and understanding of challenges facing the Sector
- Experience of managing/ leading a team alongside initiatives, projects and strategy
- Be able to demonstrate substantial, in-depth understanding of inclusive early childhood care and education - Aistear/ Síolta and the Early Childhood Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF) alongside additional national and international philosophy and influence
- Knowledge of working in under resourced social and economic areas and an understanding and experience of social inclusion and additional need issues
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams and experience of inter-agency working with children and families
- Experience of managing a team of staff to deliver high quality services
- Experience of managing training needs and professional development of staff
Desirable Criteria:
- International educational perspective, knowledge and experience
- Relevant experience in a wider management role
- Experience of working in the community/voluntary sector
Person Specification:
- An interest in providing better outcomes for children and families
- Good humoured; self-motivated; calm under pressure; ability to work with others co-operatively; good time management; practical.
- Strong leadership qualities with vision and initiative – self starter with ability to work without supervision
- Experience of working within a team and have the ability to build and maintain relationships
- An interest in further learning and training
- Energy, drive, ambition to succeed
Note
- The successful candidate will be required to complete the relevant Garda Vetting procedures
How to apply
Interested candidates should visit www.startbright.ie for more information on the services we provide and send a current CV and Cover Letter specifically stating the position applied for to: The Manager via email to [email protected]
Or alternatively;
via post to: The Manager, StartBright ELC Head Office, 1st Floor, ACE Enterprise Park, Bawnogue, Clondalkin, D22
Please note short-listing may apply.
StartBright Early Learning Centres Company Ltd by Guarantee is an equal opportunities employer.
