Childcare Services Manager

Location: Roscrea, County Tipperary
Position: Full-Time, Onsite

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Childcare Services Manager to oversee the operation of three childcare services located within National School settings in Roscrea, including a Creche, Preschool, and Afterschool. The successful candidate will provide leadership across all services, ensuring high standards of childcare, compliance, quality, and staff performance.

The role will be primarily based at the Creche location in Roscrea, with responsibility for overseeing childcare services across nearby National School sites located approximately 2 km away. Site monitoring and visits will be conducted by the Programme Coordinator, with the Childcare Services Manager providing oversight, supervision, and strategic direction across all locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic oversight of the Creche, Preschool, and Afterschool services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality childcare and educational programs.
  
• Ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all children, staff, families, and service users by maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, health and safety, cleanliness, infection control, and food hygiene (HACCP) across all services.
  
• Lead and manage service operations across all locations, ensuring consistency in standards, policies, and practices.
  
• Directly supervise and support the Programme Coordinator, ensuring effective monitoring of all service locations through regular site visits, reviewing operational and compliance reports, identifying areas for improvement, and overseeing the implementation of quality enhancement actions.
  
• Manage staffing requirements, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, supervision, and professional development.
  
• Ensure full compliance with Tusla regulations, childcare legislation, safeguarding requirements, health and safety standards, and organizational policies.
  
• Monitor service performance, occupancy levels, staffing ratios, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and sustainable operations.
  
• Develop, implement, and review policies, procedures, and quality assurance systems across all services.
  
• Build and maintain positive relationships with families, school principals, boards of management, staff, and external agencies.
  
• Lead inspection preparation and ensure all required records, documentation, and compliance reports are maintained to a high standard.
  
• Identify opportunities for service improvement, growth, and innovation while maintaining a child-centred approach.
  
• Prepare management reports and provide regular updates to senior management or the Board on service performance, compliance, and strategic objectives.
  
• Promote a positive organizational culture that supports teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and high-quality outcomes for children and families.
  

Essential Requirements

• Level 8 qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent).
  
• Minimum 3 years' management experience in the childcare or early years sector.
  
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
  
• Good knowledge of childcare regulations and quality standards.
  
• Full driving license and ability to travel between service locations.
  

What We Offer

• Competitive salary.
  
• Professional development opportunities.
  
• A rewarding leadership role within a growing childcare service.