EYFS Lead (Hendon)

Role Title: EYFS Lead

Salary: Up to £50,000 (depending on experience)
Start Date: January 2027.
Contract: Permanent/Full Time

Welcome to Hendon Prep School!

At Hendon Prep, we pride ourselves on being a warm, inclusive, and nurturing independent preparatory school. Every child is known, valued, and empowered to thrive. Guided by our mission to Empower, Inspire, and Include, we blend personalized learning with expert teaching and innovative approaches to help every child achieve academic success while growing in confidence and resilience.

Our diverse community celebrates kindness, curiosity, and a love of learning. Through a broad and creative curriculum, enriching co-curricular opportunities, and a strong focus on pupil wellbeing, we ensure children from Preschool to Year 6 flourish both academically and personally. Safeguarding and the wellbeing of every child are central to everything we do.

Your Opportunity

We are on the lookout for an outstanding, dynamic, and ambitious EYFS Lead to lead and develop our thriving Early Years Foundation Stage provision. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Early Years leader to shape the strategic direction of Nursery and Reception, inspire a talented team, and play a key role in the continued growth of our school.

As part of the Blenheim Schools Group, you will benefit from working within a collaborative and innovative network of schools committed to educational excellence, professional development, and continuous improvement.

About the Role

As the EYFS Lead, you will be responsible for the leadership, day-to-day management, and continued development of Nursery and Reception. Reporting directly to the Headteacher, you will ensure the highest standards of teaching, learning, safeguarding, and pastoral care while supporting pupil recruitment, retention, and parental engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership for Nursery and Reception.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing EYFS team.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective self-evaluation and development planning.
• Contribute to whole-school leadership and school improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Blenheim Schools Group to share best practices and innovations.

Teaching and Learning

• Ensure outstanding teaching and learning across the EYFS.
• Lead an ambitious, engaging, and child-centered curriculum.
• Promote excellence in early reading, communication, mathematics, and personal development.
• Develop stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments.
• Champion innovation, creativity, and educational technology.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• Promote a strong safeguarding culture where children's welfare is paramount.
• Ensure full compliance with the latest EYFS Statutory Framework and safeguarding requirements.
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to support vulnerable children and families.
• Lead attendance monitoring and early intervention strategies.
• Foster a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued, and supported.

Admissions and Parent Engagement

• Lead EYFS admissions events, tours, and prospective parent meetings.
• Build exceptional relationships with families.
• Support Nursery-to-Reception conversion and overall EYFS recruitment.
• Develop strong links with local nurseries and community partners.
• Lead workshops, stay-and-play events, and parent engagement initiatives.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure full compliance with EYFS statutory requirements.
• Maintain high standards in safeguarding, health and safety, and staff development.
• Support inspection readiness and quality assurance processes.
• Ensure staffing ratios, qualifications, and recruitment processes remain fully compliant.

What We're Looking For

Essential Qualifications

• Significant experience teaching within Nursery and Reception.
• Successful leadership experience within an EYFS setting.
• Excellent knowledge of the EYFS Framework and child development.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and welfare requirements.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop staff.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for children.
• A good sense of humour.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience within the independent school sector.
• Experience supporting admissions, recruitment, and retention initiatives.
• Experience preparing for inspections.
• Experience working across multiple teams or school groups.
• Understanding of educational technology and innovative practices in Early Years.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead and further develop a successful EYFS provision.
• A supportive and ambitious leadership team.
• Access to professional development and leadership opportunities through the Blenheim Schools Group.
• A collaborative culture focused on innovation and excellence.
• Wonderful children who are enthusiastic, curious, and eager to learn.
• A welcoming and engaged parent community.

How to Apply

Complete an application before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Safeguarding Statement

Hendon Prep School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, online searches, reference checks, and all other safer recruitment checks in line with statutory guidance and the school's safeguarding procedures.