Playgroup Leader

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Your opportunity to play a caring role in supporting children in our Early Years Education Service. Playgroup Leader (40 hours per week) LYCS is a long-established community development organisation in Dublin’s North East Inner City. Our Early Years Service provides high-quality, inclusive, child-led care and education for approximately 50 children aged 1 year to 5 years across dedicated rooms (Toddler, Tweeny, and ECCE/preschool). We work in partnership with families, Tusla, Better Start, and other supports, following Aistear, Síolta, and National Quality Frameworks. We are seeking an experienced, warm, and motivated Play Group Leader to lead one of our rooms, support the team, and help deliver outstanding early years experiences for local children and families. Key Responsibilities • Lead the day-to-day running of your assigned room, ensuring a safe, stimulating, inclusive, and nurturing environment. • Plan, implement, and evaluate a high-quality, child-led curriculum based on Aistear and Síolta, observing children’s interests, needs, and developmental stages. • Act as a key person for assigned children; complete observations, learning stories, and developmental records; support transitions and additional needs (including AIMS where relevant). • Supervise, mentor, and support room staff (including students and CE participants), maintaining correct adult:child ratios and modelling best practice. • Build strong, respectful partnerships with parents/carers through daily communication, meetings, and involvement in the service. • Ensure full compliance with Tusla regulations, safeguarding/child protection policies, health & safety, hygiene, and fire safety requirements. • Contribute to room and service planning, team meetings, continuous professional development, and quality improvement. • Support inclusive practice for children with additional needs and work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams. Essential Requirements • Minimum QQI Level 6 (or equivalent) in Early Childhood Care & Education / Childcare • Significant experience working in an early years setting (ideally 2+ years), with proven ability or readiness to lead a room/team. • Children’s First / Safeguarding training, and Paediatric First Aid (or willingness to obtain promptly). • Strong knowledge of Aistear, Síolta, child development, and Tusla Early Years regulations. • Excellent communication, organisational, leadership, and teamwork skills; calm, patient, and positive approach. • Genuine commitment to community-based, inclusive early years practice and working with families in the North East Inner City. Desirable • Previous Room Leader experience. • Experience supporting children with additional needs. • Food Hygiene certificate and further relevant CPD. What We Offer • Opportunity to make a real difference in a well-regarded community crèche serving local families. • Supportive team environment with regular CPD, QQI training op