We’re looking for an Early Years Degree Lecturer
You’ll be responsible for delivering, assessing and continuously improving the LEYF Degree, ensuring it reflects our pedagogy, social purpose and commitment to excellence. From recruiting and supporting students, to designing innovative modules and leading action research, you’ll shape an inspiring learning journey for a diverse range of early years professionals.
If you’re passionate about educational excellence, experienced in higher education teaching, and motivated by developing confident pedagogical leaders, this could be the perfect next step.
What you’ll be doing
Leading for a culture of excellence
- Teach, assess and evaluate all aspects of the LEYF Degree (and future Masters programmes where applicable)
- Collaborate with the wider Learning and Development team to maintain exceptional academic standards
- Ensure the degree aligns with LEYF pedagogy, values and philosophy
- Contribute to quality assurance processes, including moderation, standardisation and course monitoring
- Evaluate programme impact, including staff retention, promotion rates and student satisfaction
Designing innovative, research-informed programmes
- Design, develop, deliver and critically review engaging modules that drive academic excellence
- Embed innovative approaches to teaching and learning within curriculum design
- Lead and support Action Research projects across LEYF
- Contribute to research and continuous improvement in partnership with internal and external stakeholders
- Design development and support modules to help students thrive academically and professionally
Teaching, coaching and pastoral support
- Deliver consistently excellent teaching, assessment and feedback
- Coach and mentor students from diverse professional and academic backgrounds
- Differentiate teaching approaches to meet a wide range of learning needs
- Provide first-line pastoral support and signpost students to additional services where required
- Support students to develop strong time management and independent study skills
Building partnerships and collaborative relationships
- Build strong internal relationships with Nursery Managers, operational teams and senior leaders
- Develop productive partnerships with universities, college partners and sector stakeholders
- Support recruitment and onboarding of new degree students
- Contribute to external training and leadership development programmes across the sector
Systems, compliance and safeguarding
- Manage learning management systems and student records effectively
- Ensure full compliance with safeguarding and relevant regulatory frameworks
- Promote LEYF’s commitment to health, nutrition and holistic child development within academic content
We’re looking for someone who…
Has the right qualifications and experience
- Qualified to at least Level 7 in Early Years or a related subject (essential)
- Proven track record of successful teaching at Level 4, 6 and 7 or above (essential)
- Experience designing and delivering training within the early years sector (essential)
- Strong understanding of educational research design and ethical practice (essential)
- Knowledge of the early years sector and nursery practice (essential)
- HE teaching qualification and/or IQA/Assessor qualifications (desirable or willingness to complete)
Brings the behaviours that make this role shine
- Passionate about developing others and raising standards
- A skilled communicator who can challenge and inspire in equal measure
- Emotionally intelligent, with the ability to support a diverse student cohort
- Analytical and evidence-informed in decision making
- Highly organised, able to manage projects and priorities effectively
- Committed to continuous professional development
- Aligned with LEYF’s social impact goals and values
Why you’ll love working at LEYF
- Be part of an organisation making a difference to children and families
- Shape the professional journeys of future early years leaders
- Work in a values-led, research-informed culture
- Collaborate with passionate colleagues across nurseries, central teams and academic partners
- Provide innovation and social impact across the early years sector
