We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Person in Charge to lead our busy combined Early Learning & Care and School Age Childcare service in Dundrum, Dublin.
This is a senior leadership position and an excellent opportunity for an experienced childcare professional with a strong understanding of early years and school age practice, regulatory requirements and the day-to-day operation of a Tusla-registered service.
What sets this role apart is our STEAM philosophy — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics — and our belief that great management and great childcare practice go hand in hand. The PIC at The Creative will be in ratio in the SAC room on afternoon shifts, bringing their energy and expertise directly to the children as well as to the team.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of the combined ELC and SAC service, ensuring smooth, efficient and high-quality running of both programmes.
- Lead, support and motivate the team, promoting a positive, creative and professional working environment.
- Ensure the service operates in full compliance with Tusla Early Years Inspectorate requirements, the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the SAC Registration Regulations 2018.
- Ensure high-quality implementation of Aistear and Síolta across the ELC programme and the National Quality Guidelines across the SAC programme.
- Act as Designated Liaison Person (DLP) under the Children First Act 2015, maintaining and implementing the Child Safeguarding Statement.
- Maintain and develop appropriate policies, procedures, records and documentation in line with Tusla requirements.
- Support staff with planning, observations, curriculum development and children's individual needs across both programmes.
- Ensure excellent standards of child safeguarding, health and safety, infection control and risk management.
- Liaise professionally with parents and guardians, responding to queries and concerns in line with policy.
- Oversee staff deployment, rotas and day-to-day staffing requirements across ELC and SAC sessions.
- Support recruitment, induction, supervision, mentoring and ongoing professional development of staff.
- Ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios are consistently maintained across all sessions.
- Work in ratio in the SAC room during afternoon sessions, contributing directly to the delivery of our STEAM-based after-school programme.
- Monitor quality of practice across the service and lead continuous improvement planning.
- Work closely with the Registered Provider to ensure the service meets its operational, regulatory and quality objectives.
Essential Experience & Knowledge
Previous management or significant supervisory experience within an early years or school age childcare setting is essential. The successful candidate must have considerable practical knowledge and experience in:
- Tusla Early Years Regulations and SAC Registration Regulations
- Aistear — The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
- Síolta — The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education
- National Quality Guidelines for School Age Childcare
- National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and Core Funding administration
- Access and Inclusion Model (AIM)
- Child safeguarding and Children First Act 2015 obligations including the DLP role
- Staff management, supervision and team development
- Curriculum planning and quality improvement across ELC and SAC
- Health and safety within a childcare setting
- Maintaining records, policies and compliance documentation inspection-ready at all times
The Ideal Candidate
You will be:
- An experienced and confident childcare professional with genuine leadership ability
- A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills across children, families, staff and external agencies
- Highly organised, reliable and calm under pressure in a busy combined service environment
- Passionate about high-quality care, education and STEAM-inspired learning
- Comfortable working in ratio in the SAC room — you love being around children as much as running a service
- Proactive in identifying and resolving operational and staffing issues before they escalate
- Committed to continuous improvement, reflective practice and maintaining excellent standards
- Confident taking responsibility and making decisions independently
- Energetic, creative and excited by a service that does things differently
Qualifications
- QQI Level 6 in Early Childhood Care & Education or equivalent — required
- Garda Vetting and two references required before commencement
- Children First training — required
- First Aid Responder — required
- LINC qualification (Inclusion Coordinator) — a significant advantage
- STEM or STEAM background, qualification or strong personal interest — a significant advantage
- Additional management or leadership qualification — an advantage
What We Offer
- €20.50 per hour
- Full-time, 40 hours per week guaranteed minimum
- Sick pay scheme
- Company pension contribution
- Bike to Work Scheme
- Free on-site parking
- Employee discount on childcare fees
- Uniform provided
- Paid public holidays
- Company events and staff social outings
- Paid induction and ongoing CPD including Children First and First Aid renewals
- A leadership role where your vision and expertise will directly shape the service we build together
At The Creative, we believe great childcare leadership and genuine hands-on practice are not mutually exclusive — we want both in our PIC. If you are an experienced childcare manager who is as comfortable on the floor with a group of curious eight-year-olds as you are preparing for a Tusla inspection, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to [email protected]
Closing Date: 31st August 2026
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: €20.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Uniform provided
Work Location: In person
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification (required)
Experience: Childcare management: 2 years (required)
Pay: From €20.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
