KINDERGARTEN
MANAGER
CANDIDATE INFORMATION

INDEPENDENT CO-ED DAY SCHOOL FOR AGES 2-11

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the role of Kindergarten Manager at King’s Hawford Prep School.

I am so pleased that you are considering applying
for the Kindergarten Manager role at King’s
Hawford. I have the enormous privilege of being the
Headmaster here and can testify to the warmth of
welcome that you will receive.

This is a busy, fulfilling and joyful community of
which to be a part. Our award-winning, warm and
nurturing Kindergarten environment provides
the stability young children need to develop in
confidence and independence amidst a wide range
of opportunities. Kindergarten is situated in the
very heart of the school, with the Early Years
journey starting at the age of two until children’s
pre-school year, after which many will step across
to the familiarity of Reception at King’s Hawford.

Working closely with the Early Years’ teaching
teams, experienced and caring Kindergarten staff
stimulate young minds and encourage a love of
learning through an exciting programme of free
play and teacher-led activities, helping children
to thrive while they prepare for their transition to
school. Children benefit from a wide range of on-
site opportunities including twice weekly swimming,
Forest School, foreign language lessons, music, P.E,
Rugbytots, yoga and ballet sessions, amongst many
others.

We are looking for an inspirational practitioner who
can galvanise their colleagues, build meaningful
positive relationships with parents and provide the
very best start in life for the children in our care.

This post would suit someone who has great energy
and enthusiasm, is a proactive team player and
is keen to become involved in the wider life of a
very exciting school. If this is you, I look forward to
receiving your application.

Tom Butt
Headmaster
King’s Hawford Prep School

Job description

Every child at King’s Hawford has access to
unparalleled facilities and inspiring members of
staff. As ever, though, it is the children themselves
who make the School what it is. Children at King’s
Hawford are defined by their strength of character.
They have a go and they are confident to do so,
whilst looking after each other when things don’t go
to plan.

Our commitment to learning outside the classroom
and environmental sustainability are at the heart
of all we do, and this fosters a great sense of
responsibility towards nature in every child.

Main purpose of the role

•

Lead the Kindergarten section of the School in
line with the mission, vision and values of the
School.

•  Manage delivery of the Early Years curriculum

in Kindergarten.

•  Support the School in the effective

management of staff and day-to-day operations,
seeking continuous improvement of operational
procedures.

•  Champion robust safeguarding practices within
Kindergarten and the wider school community.

Leadership

•  Effectively blend the highest standards of

professionalism with authentic personal
warmth.

•  Establish and foster good relationships,

facilitating excellent working practices and
supporting and encouraging colleagues.

•  Exude positivity about every aspect of
Kindergarten provision, whilst seeking
continuous improvement for the benefit of the
children.

•  Work closely with the Headmaster and Registrar
on recruitment and ensure Kindergarten is a
warm and welcoming area to new families.

•  With the Headmaster, Head of Pre-Prep and
Reception teachers, take a leading role in
decisions on all aspects of EYFS policy by
playing a significant role in the preparation,
implementation and monitoring of the School’s
development plan.

•  Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team
in many areas including communication,
curriculum, assessment, staffing, development
and use of facilities.

•  Support the Headmaster and staff in the review,
implementation, development and monitoring
of EYFS policies which promote the School’s
mission, vision and values.

statutory aspects of EYFS, in association with the
Headmaster and ensure the School is compliant
in relation to the Independent School Standards
Regulations (ISSRs), as appropriate.

•

Foster and maintain strong links with other
nurseries and the Nursery at King’s St.Alban’s.

Operational Management

•

Lead by example as a practitioner and as a
manager, seeking to achieve the highest standards
of attainment, behaviour and motivation.

•  Monitor and evaluate delivery of an exciting

and stimulating curriculum that fully supports
children’s interests and development within the
EYFS.

•

•

In association with the Head of Pre-Prep and
Reception teachers, monitor effective assessment
procedures and records of progress and
development.

In association with Kindergarten colleagues,
formulate and oversee a system for recording
children’s learning through floor books and
ClassDojo.

•  Work closely with the Deputy Kindergarten

Manager to ensure smooth transition between
years in Kindergarten.

•  Work closely with the Head of Pre-Prep and

•  Work closely with the Headmaster in the

marketing of the Kindergarten.

•  Ensure familiarity with the requirements of
EYFS among all staff and remain informed of

Reception teachers to ensure smooth transition
from Kindergarten to Reception.

Hours of work

The role is a permanent position, full-time, 40 hours
per week, year round. Our Kindergarten is open from
7.45am  until  6pm,  Monday  to  Friday,  and  operates  all
year round (approximately 50 weeks in the year), with
a  shutdown  period  at  Christmas  and  at  the  end  of
August.

Salary

Up to £34,042 per annum, depending on the skills and
experience of the successful candidate.

Job description

•  Act as an Early Years Designated Safeguarding

Lead (EYDSL) as part of the School’s
Safeguarding team and the King’s Foundation
Safeguarding Group.

•  Utilise our rural location to maximise

opportunities for learning beyond Kindergarten.

Parental Partnership

•  Maintain a partnership with all parents, seeking
to build a welcoming and open Kindergarten
section of the school.

•  Ensure excellent lines of communication with
parents in all matters relating to Kindergarten.

•  Meet with all prospective parents and assist the

Registrar in the enrolment process.

•

Liaise with parents to ensure they have a full
understanding of the EYFS and work with
Kindergarten colleagues to ensure successful
Parents’ Information Events.

•  Monitor delivery of the Two-Year-Old Progress
Checks to parents/guardians, in line with the
statutory requirements.

•  Ensure that the reporting structure allows
for parents to be fully aware of progress
and organise appropriate parents’ meetings,
delegating as appropriate to staff.

Staff Development and Resource
Deployment

•

•

Lead the professional development of all
Kindergarten staff by example, providing
coaching, peer support and target setting.

In conjunction with the senior leadership team,
contribute to the appraisal of Kindergarten
practitioners, alongside regular supervision
meetings.

•  Ensure that appropriate training is delivered

to EYFS staff, taking into account statutory
equirements and developmental needs.

•  Provide effective support and training during

the induction of new staff.

•  Work in conjunction with the Deputy

Kindergarten Manager, to take responsibility for
the deployment of Kindergarten staff on the
duty rota.

•  Maintain effective management of the teaching

and play resources within Kindergarten.

•  Take responsibility for the Kindergarten budget,

keeping within agreed budgetary limits.

•  Ensure the maintenance of a structured

environment for effective learning, for good
behaviour and discipline, and for children’s
holistic development.

•

In association with the Head, take an active role
in the recruitment of Kindergarten staff.

Person Specification

It is expected that the Kindergarten Manager will demonstrate
a range of qualities, skills and experience, as outlined below.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

At least two years’ experience in a nursery setting supervisory or leadership
role.

Personally interested in a wide range of arts, sports and other co-curricular
activities.

Committed to supporting the King’s Foundation’s mission, vision and values.

Experience in leading a nursery through Ofsted or equivalent inspection to a
good or outstanding level.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
The successful candidate must:

Hold an appropriately relevant qualification, for example a BA in Education
Studies, a degree in Childhood Studies or as a minimum an NVQ Level 3 in
Childcare and Education (or equivalent).

Be able to provide evidence of continuing professional development.

Be willing to be trained in Paediatric First Aid (if not already).

Be willing to be DSL trained (if not already).

Be willing to drive a school minibus (D1 licence not essential).

A deep understanding of the value of breadth in a child’s education.

Have a strong regard for children’s safety and well-being, proactively
demostrating an understanding of the importance of safeguarding
processes and procedures, including knowledge of safer recruitment
practices when employing staff.

An awareness of other educational philosophies such as Montessori, Reggio
Emilia and Steiner.

CHARACTERISTICS

Excellent written and verbal communication.

A superb role model to both children and their colleagues.

Enthusiasm and knowledge to consistently push the boundaries of creative
and imaginative delivery in order to engage and inspire children.

Hard-working, with drive and determination.

A dedicated and humble team player, with a high degree of self-awareness.

Display honesty, integrity and compassion and an ability to act sensitively
and co-operatively with others.

Ability to work independently and to use initiative, as well as an
understanding of the benefits of teamwork.

Willingness to go the extra mile to build relationships with children, parents
and staff.

Ambitious for the children in their care, setting and planning learning with
high expectations for excellent outcomes.

Committed to maintaining a positive attitude, with a sense of fun in all they
do.

Safeguarding Responsibilities at King’s Worcester

Safeguarding culture at King’s

Responsibilities of the successful candidate

As we strive to maintain an open culture of
safeguarding across the King’s Foundation, we:

•  Train our staff in safeguarding
•  Work in partnership with King’s families
Liaise with external support agencies
•
Follow the four Rs: Recognise, Record, Report,
•
Refer

Listen to pupils

•  Prioritise early intervention
•
•  Encourage professional curiosity
•  Create a team around the child.

Staff are advised to maintain an attitude of “it could
be happening here and probably is” as far as
safeguarding is concerned and should always act in
the best interest of the child.

All staff must:

•  Actively promote and safeguard the welfare of

all pupils

•  Have proper regard for the Foundation’s

Safeguarding Policy and related procedures

•  Report any concerns in a timely manner
•  Attend annual safeguarding training.

The King’s Foundation is committed to safeguarding
and meeting the needs of all children.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
is defined as:

•  Protecting children from maltreatment.
•  Preventing impairment of children’s health or

development.

•  Ensuring children grow up in circumstances
consistent with the provision of safe and
effective care.

•  Taking action to ensure all children have the

best outcomes.

(Definition from Keeping Children Safe in Education)

Our commitment to safeguarding

The King’s School, Worcester ensures that
safeguarding is given the highest priority and
actively promotes the well-being of pupils.
Safeguarding and child protection are at the
forefront of, and underpin all relevant aspects of,
process and policy development.

The Foundation’s safeguarding culture supports
good practice and enables issues to be addressed
promptly and appropriately in the best interests of
the children.

Application Process

In order to provide our pupils with a well-rounded

The King’s Foundation is committed to safeguarding

and enriched educational experience which is truly

and promoting the welfare of children and young

representative of the world in which they grow up, the

people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this

King’s Foundation strives to place equity, diversity and

commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo

inclusion at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that

child protection screening appropriate to the post

we build a community which is truly representative of

including checks with past employers and the Disclosure

all backgrounds and experiences. We believe that we

and Barring Service. Shortlisted applicants will be

will do that best if our employees come from different

required to complete a self-declaration form in relation

backgrounds and if we create an environment of inclusion

to any criminal record or information that may make you

and belonging for them.

unsuitable to work with children, and will be subject to

All applications will be acknowledged and all applicants

will be notified as to whether or not they have been

invited to an interview.

an online search.

How to apply

Successful applicants will be advised of the date and

Candidates can choose to complete either the TES online

time of the interview. References will be requested

application form which can be found at:

and candidates should be aware that referees will be

www.tes.com/jobs or to complete a downloadable

asked to comment on a candidate’s disciplinary record

application form which can be found on the Current

and whether or not the candidate has been subject to

Vacancies page of our website at www.ksw.org.uk/careers

any child protection concerns. Proof of identity will be

Enquiries regarding the role can be sent to

required at interview.

 recruitment@ksw.org.uk

Candidates unsuccessful at interview will receive written

Application deadline: 9am Monday 24th November 2025

notification.

We reserve the right to interview suitable candidates

and appoint to the role before the closing date, so early

The School is required to ensure that the successful

applications are encouraged.

candidate is checked by the Disclosure and Barring

Start date: As soon as possible following completion of

Service. Details of the School’s policies on safeguarding

pre-employment checks

and promoting the welfare of children as well as equal

opportunities are available on request. References will

Please visit the vacancies page of the School website

be obtained and verified prior to the appointment being

www.ksw.org.uk/careers to find out more about the

confirmed.

benefits of working at King’s and to hear why our staff

love being a member of the Foundation community.

The King’s School, Worcester

5 College Green  • Worcester • WR1 2LL

01905 721 700 • info@ksw.org.uk
ksw.org.uk

The King’s School, Worcester: A company limited by guarantee, registered in England.
Registered office: 5 College Green, Worcester WR1 2LL. Company No: 4776324. Registered charity No: 1098236.

The information, terms and conditions set out in this prospectus and all occasional papers may be amended from time to time, and their provisions, subject toany such amendments, shall continue to apply for the whole period during which
a boy or girl continues to attend the School, irrespective of his or her age.