Is this the job for you?

Are you passionate about giving children the very best start in life?

Are you an experienced Early Years professional ready to lead, motivate, and develop a team to deliver outstanding practice?

Do you thrive in a creative, dynamic environment where imagination, play, and learning go hand in hand?

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference every single day while developing others around you?

If the answer is yes, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re looking for a caring, enthusiastic, and motivated Early Years Room Leader who holds a full and relevant Level 3 (or above) Childcare qualification plus a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in Early Years  to join our amazing team.

About Us

At Lancaster University Pre-School Centre, we care for around 200 children aged 3 months to 5 years, providing a nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment where children can learn, explore, and grow.

We’re open for 50 weeks of the year (closed at Easter, Christmas, and on Bank Holidays), and we’re looking to appoint into a Full time 36.5 hours per week vacancy.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Room Leader and key member of our dedicated and friendly team, you will take a leadership and supervisory role in ensuring high-quality care and education within your designated room

You will :

• Lead and manage the day-to-day organisation and operation of one of our rooms, ensuring high standards of care, learning, and safeguarding are consistently achieved.

• Provide line management, supervision, coaching, and mentoring to Early Years Practitioners, students, and apprentices, supporting their professional development and performance.

• Act as a role model for best practice, supporting staff to deliver high-quality teaching, learning, and interactions in line with EYFS requirements and centre policies.

• Take responsibility for planning, implementing, and evaluating a high-quality curriculum that meets the individual needs of all children.

• Monitor children’s progress, ensuring accurate observations and  assessments , ensuring accuracy, consistency, and progression in children’s development.

• Lead on maintaining a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment, ensuring safeguarding, health and safety, and welfare standards are embedded in daily practice.

• Work collaboratively within the senior team to support the continuous improvement of practice, contribute to self-evaluation processes, and implement development plans.

• Build and maintain strong, professional partnerships with families, acting as a senior point of contact for your room and supporting positive outcomes for children.

• Support the operational running of the centre, including contributing to staff deployment, ratio management, and daily room organisation.

Every day will bring opportunities to lead by example, inspire your team, and support children to thrive.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

✔ Qualified with a full and relevant Level 3 (or above) childcare qualification: check your qualification here: https://www.gov.uk/check-early-years-qualification

✔ A minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in working within an Early Years setting, with demonstrable experience supporting or supervising staff.

✔ Confident in leading practice, making professional judgments, and supporting quality improvement.

✔ Knowledgeable about the Early Years statutory framework,  safeguarding responsibilities, and inclusive practice.

✔ An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and customer service skills.

✔ Organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities within a busy childcare environment.

✔ Committed to continuous professional development for both themselves and their team.

✔ A positive, flexible team player who leads by example.

Why work with us?

• We’re proud of our exceptional team and the positive difference we make every day.

• Fantastic facilities – see for yourself: https://youtu.be/81Aw-nL95qo

• Beautiful campus location – set in green parkland with shops, cafes, a sports centre, and even a post office on-site.

• Supportive community – from staff networks to clubs and groups, there are endless ways to connect.

• Healthy work-life balance – Lancaster University is committed to supporting staff wellbeing.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our dedicated team and help shape the future for the next generation.

Closing Date: 31 Aug 2026

Department: Support - Other

Salary: £26,707 to £30,378 (Full time, indefinite)

Are you passionate about working in Early Years  and providing quality early years education for the next generation? Do you want to do a job that makes a real difference? Do you want to grow your career and thrive in a dynamic creative work environment where imagination and energy are at the forefront of everything we do?

 We are seeking applicants for Early Years Practitioners roles. Full Time (36.5 hours ) and Part-Time hours available for candidates who already hold a Level 3 , full and relevant Childcare qualification. 

We want great people to work with our children and their families.

 What you’ll be doing

The Pre-School Centre is open approximately 50 weeks of the year with closures at Easter, Christmas, and all Bank Holidays.

 As an Early Years Practitioner or Support Assistant at Lancaster University, you’ll be an essential part of a fun and dynamic team that fosters a stimulating and safe environment for children to explore, learn, and grow. You'll engage with children through a wide range of valuable learning activities, turning everyday moments into learning adventures. 

 About you

To be a great fit for our Pre School team you will need:

• great customer service skills
• to be reliable and hard-working
• a willingness to learn new job-based skills
• a team-orientated and flexible approach.

 Why work with us

Our Pre-School Centre is awarded Outstanding by Ofsted. Our exceptional teamwork makes real positive change for our children, staff and the environment. We want you to be part of that team! Take a look at the facilities here: https://youtu.be/81Aw-nL95qo 

 Lancaster University’s main Bailrigg campus is a lovely place to work, combining a busy urban atmosphere while surrounded by green parkland and beautiful seasonal landscaping. We have lots of facilities on-site such as: a sports centre, shops, cafes, a multi-faith centre, a post office, and a fantastic library. There are numerous clubs, groups, and networks you can join to make friends with like-minded people. Lancaster University provides an environment that strongly supports the needs of each employee, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

 We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including: 

• competitive salary with annual reviews 
• generous employer pension scheme
• 39 days off a year which includes University closure days at Easter and Christmas and bank holidays 
• a family-friendly approach to those with parental or caring responsibilities
• additional flexible benefits to suit your needs and interests, some with tax-savings.

Find out about more of our employee benefits on our website - https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/jobs 

Want to find out more about joining our award-winning  Pre-School team and have an informal chat about the role? Please contact the Pre-School Centre  pscentre@lancaster.ac.uk 

 Find out what it's like to work at Lancaster University, including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family-friendly workplace. 

The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. 

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability, or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity. 

Closing Date: 31 Aug 2026

Department: Support - Other

Salary: £26,093 Part time, Indefinite

Are you an organised and customer-focused administrator who enjoys supporting people and making a difference? Do you thrive in a busy environment where no two days are the same? 

The post is a maternity leave for 9 months in the first instance, start date 28/09/26 and end date 25/06/27.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and professional Administrative Assistant to join our Pre-School Centre team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the day-to-day operation of our highly regarded service, providing reception, administrative and business support to families, staff, students and visitors.

What you'll be doing

The Pre-School Centre is open approximately 50 weeks of the year with closures at Easter, Christmas and all Bank Holidays.

As an Administrative Assistant, you will be the first point of contact for parents, carers, visitors, University staff and students. You will provide a welcoming and professional reception service while supporting the efficient running of the Centre through a range of administrative, financial and customer service duties.

Your responsibilities will include:

• providing a friendly and professional reception service
• responding to enquiries by telephone, email and in person
• supporting bookings, waiting lists and attendance records
• maintaining accurate electronic and paper records
• preparing correspondence, newsletters and parent communications
• assisting with routine financial administration and invoicing processes
• supporting meetings, events, inspections and open days
• maintaining confidential records and ensuring compliance with safeguarding and data protection requirements
• producing routine reports, spreadsheets and administrative information
• working collaboratively with colleagues across the Centre and wider University.

About you

To be a great fit for our Pre-School team, you will have:

• excellent customer service and communication skills
• experience in an administrative or reception role
• strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel
• experience maintaining electronic records and databases
• the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy environment
• a flexible and team-focused approach
• a commitment to personal development and learning.

Experience of working in an education, childcare or early years environment would be advantageous, as would knowledge of safeguarding practices.

Why work with us?

Our Pre-School Centre is rated Good by Ofsted, and our dedicated team makes a real difference to children and families every day. We are proud of our supportive and inclusive working environment and would love you to be part of it.

Take a look at our facilities here: https://youtu.be/81Aw-nL95qo

Lancaster University’s main Bailrigg campus is a wonderful place to work, combining a vibrant community atmosphere with beautiful green surroundings. There are many facilities on campus including:

• a sports centre
• shops and cafés
• a post office
• a multi-faith centre
• an excellent library
• social groups, clubs and staff networks.

Lancaster University provides an environment that strongly supports employee wellbeing and promotes a healthy work-life balance.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including:

• competitive salary with annual reviews
• generous employer pension scheme
• 39 days annual leave, including University closure days and bank holidays
• a family-friendly approach for those with caring responsibilities
• flexible employee benefits and salary-saving schemes
• training and development opportunities.

Find out more about our employee benefits on our website:
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/jobs

Closing Date: 19 Jul 2026

Department: Support - Administrative

Salary: £26,093 (Full-Time/Fixed-term)

Are you passionate about working in Early Years  and providing quality early years education for the next generation? Do you want to do a job that makes a real difference? Do you want to grow your career and thrive in a dynamic creative work environment where imagination and energy are at the forefront of everything we do?

We are seeking applicants for Part-Time position  for candidates who hold a Level 3 , full and relevant Childcare qualification. 

We want great people to work with our children and their families.

 What you’ll be doing

The Pre-School Centre is open approximately 50 weeks of the year with closures at Easter, Christmas, and all Bank Holidays.

 As an Early Years Practitioner or Support Assistant at Lancaster University, you’ll be an essential part of a fun and dynamic team that fosters a stimulating and safe environment for children to explore, learn, and grow. You'll engage with children through a wide range of valuable learning activities, turning everyday moments into learning adventures. 

About you

To be a great fit for our Pre School team you will need:

• great customer service skills
• to be reliable and hard-working
• a willingness to learn new job-based skills
• a team-orientated and flexible approach.

 Why work with us

Our Pre-School Centre is awarded Outstanding by Ofsted. Our exceptional teamwork makes real positive change for our children, staff and the environment. We want you to be part of that team! Take a look at the facilities here: https://youtu.be/81Aw-nL95qo 

 Lancaster University’s main Bailrigg campus is a lovely place to work, combining a busy urban atmosphere while surrounded by green parkland and beautiful seasonal landscaping. We have lots of facilities on-site such as: a sports centre, shops, cafes, a multi-faith centre, a post office, and a fantastic library. There are numerous clubs, groups, and networks you can join to make friends with like-minded people. Lancaster University provides an environment that strongly supports the needs of each employee, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

 We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including: 

• competitive salary with annual reviews 
• generous employer pension scheme
• 39 days off a year which includes University closure days at Easter and Christmas and bank holidays 
• a family-friendly approach to those with parental or caring responsibilities
• additional flexible benefits to suit your needs and interests, some with tax-savings.

 Find out about more of our employee benefits on our website - https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/jobs 

Want to find out more about joining our award-winning  Pre-School team and have an informal chat about the role? Please contact the Pre-School Centre  pscentre@lancaster.ac.uk 

Find out what it's like to work at Lancaster University, including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family-friendly workplace. 

The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. 

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability, or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity. 

Closing Date: 12 Jul 2026

Department: Support - Other

Salary: £26,093 (Part-Time/Indefinite)