School Receptionist & Nursery Operations Assistant (ASAP Start)

Location: Redbridge, East/Outer London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form with On-Site Staff & Community Day Nursery (Ofsted Rated "Outstanding")

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent (37 hours per week, Term-Time Only or All-Year-Round option)

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP Start

An Ofsted-rated "Outstanding" secondary school and Sixth Form in the London Borough of Redbridge is seeking an adaptable, articulate, and nurturing School Receptionist & Nursery Operations Assistant to join their vibrant administrative and early years support team for an immediate (ASAP) start. Splitting time between the main secondary front-of-house reception and the school’s thriving on-site early learning nursery, this unique hybrid role is ideal for a customer service ambassador, early years practitioner, or administrative assistant seeking a varied, high-impact position in an exceptional educational environment.

About the Role

In this dual-focused position, you will serve as both a warm, professional ambassador at main secondary reception and an active support practitioner within the early years nursery. You will manage front-of-house hospitality, visitor credentials, and multi-line communications for the secondary school, while also assisting early years educators with child supervision, learning activities, parent handovers, and daily welfare routines in the nursery.

• Environment: A flagship Outer London secondary campus equipped with modern digital entry systems (e.g., Inventry), integrated management software (e.g., SIMS, Arbor), and a purpose-built, state-of-the-art early years nursery facility

• Culture: A collaborative, high-standard, and child-centered community where operational excellence, statutory safeguarding, and nurturing care are embedded across all age phases

Key Responsibilities

• Main Reception & Campus Security: Greet visitors, parents, contractors, and agency personnel with warmth and professionalism; verify identification, manage sign-in portals, issue badges, and enforce strict safeguarding protocols.

• Switchboard & Administrative Support: Manage multi-line calls, handle main school emails, take detailed messages, issue urgent parent notifications (e.g., ParentMail, SMS alerts), and assist the Office Manager with routine clerical projects.

• Early Years & Nursery Assistance: Support early years key workers in delivering engaging indoor/outdoor play routines, assisting with mealtime and hygiene routines, and supervising young children in a safe, stimulating nursery setting.

• Parent Handovers & Communication: Act as a clear, reassuring point of contact for nursery parents during morning arrivals and afternoon pick-ups, sharing daily updates and maintaining positive family relationships.

• Compliance & Welfare: Assist with pupil and nursery child attendance tracking, maintain clean and organized learning environments, and enforce strict health, safety, and safeguarding regulations across both settings.

Requirements

• Relevant experience in a front-of-house receptionist, administrative, or early years/nursery role (NVQ Level 2/3 in Childcare, Early Years, or Business Administration is highly desirable).

• Immediate (ASAP) availability to commence work within an educational setting.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, featuring a warm telephone manner, approachable demeanor, and strong written English.

• Practical knowledge or willingness to train across both administrative systems (MS Office, SIMS/Arbor) and early years EYFS care standards.

• High adaptability, emotional intelligence, and absolute dedication to child safety, safeguarding, and confidential data handling.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Support Staff Scale (commensurate with qualifications and experience).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), structured continuous professional development (CPD) in both administrative leadership and early years practice, generous leave provisions, and access to staff health and wellbeing programs.

How to Apply

If you are an adaptable, enthusiastic professional looking for a dynamic dual role across front-of-house administration and early years support at an "Outstanding" Redbridge school, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and application form as soon as possible for immediate consideration.