Principal Early Childhood Educator

Closing Date: 04 December 2025

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £42,276 - £44,763

Hours: 35 hours per week

At Dunblane Primary School Nursery we believe that learning through play helps us to shape tomorrow.

We encourage each child to achieve their true potential through promoting a culture of shared values and offering a challenging curriculum which embraces the principles of: A Curriculum for Excellence; Realising the Ambition; Stirling's Play and Learning Framework and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

As a key member of the Dunblane Nursery community, you will model reflective, relationship-based practice, ensuring that children's wellbeing, voice and sense of belonging are at the heart of everything we do.

You will role model for all adults and children all of our values which are courage, responsibility, inclusiveness, integrity, respect and care.

You'll also lead the nursery with warmth, creativity and professional integrity — supporting colleagues to deliver high-quality, responsive learning that celebrates the wonder of early childhood.

About the Role

•    Lead and inspire the nursery team to deliver high-quality early learning and childcare in line with national standards.

•    Work collaboratively with families, partners and the wider school community.

•    Support professional learning, self-evaluation and continuous improvement across the nursery.

•    Foster a nurturing, inclusive environment that values outdoor play, creativity and child-led exploration.

About You

You are an experienced and passionate Early Childhood Educator who:

•    Holds or working towards an appropriate qualification for registration with the SSSC as a Practitioner or Lead Practitioner.

•    BA in Childhood Practice or Level 9 PDA equivalent is desirable

•    Demonstrates strong leadership, mentoring and teamwork skills.

•    Values play, relationships and nature as the foundation of learning.

•    Is committed to professional growth and the wellbeing of every child and family.

Join our  community where play, purpose and connection flourish every day.

The successful candidate will be required to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) for Children. If your application is progressed after the interview, you will be asked to complete the form and have your details verified.

If you've got the right skills for the job we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age (restrictions apply to Modern Apprenticeships), disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.

Job Description

Additional Salary Information

Stirling Information 

The Benefits 

• 30 days annual leave plus 7 public holidays (rising to 35 after 5 years continuous service) Pro-rated for part time roles.
• Flexible working including hybrid office/work from home arrangements where the role allows. We have a good balance across our teams, retaining the benefits to work/life balance of working from home part of the week, with the collaborative and social benefits of working from the office 2-3 days per week
• Biennial incremental progression until top of your payscale is reached 
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. For further details visit 
• Up to 6 months full sick pay and 6 months half pay dependent on length of service 
• Carers Leave 
• Up to 4 weeks paid Paternity Leave 
• Access to Health & Wellbeing support 
• Ongoing opportunities for Learning & Development 
• Cycle to Work Scheme 
• Lift share Scheme 
• Car Lease Scheme 
• Technology Benefit Scheme