Hiring and Sponsoring Early education and childcare services managers (SOC Code 2324)

Early Education and Childcare Services Managers, classified under SOC Code 2324, play a vital role in overseeing the daily operations of nurseries and early years education centres. These professionals are dedicated to fostering a nurturing and secure environment that promotes the development of children’s social, language, and cognitive skills. Key responsibilities include:

• Directing and co-ordinating day-to-day activities of early years settings to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
• Creating a friendly and secure atmosphere that encourages children's growth and learning.
• Determining staffing needs, financial requirements, and resources necessary for both short- and long-term operational success.
• Ensuring that facilities comply with health, safety, and Ofsted standards, maintaining a safe environment for children and staff.
• Writing reports on children’s developmental progress and maintaining accurate records of individual growth.
• Staying informed about health and safety issues to guarantee a safe learning environment.
• Communicating regularly with parents and colleagues regarding children's development, well-being, and any relevant concerns.

With the increasing emphasis on early childhood education, the demand for qualified and experienced Early Education and Childcare Services Managers is on the rise. Many educational institutions seek to attract global talent to meet this demand. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the hiring and sponsorship process for these essential roles under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Early education and childcare services managers?

SOC Code 2324 refers to Early Education and Childcare Services Managers who direct and coordinate the daily activities of nurseries and early years education centers. Their responsibilities can include:

• Creating a nurturing environment: Establishing a friendly, secure atmosphere that encourages the development of social, language, and learning skills.
• Staff management: Determining staffing needs, overseeing recruitment, and managing team performance to ensure high-quality care and education.
• Financial oversight: Managing budgets and financial resources to meet operational needs and sustainability of the facility.
• Regulatory compliance: Ensuring that facilities meet health, safety, Ofsted, and other regulatory standards.
• Assessment and reporting: Writing reports on children’s development and progress to provide insights for parents and stakeholders.
• Communication: Effectively communicating with parents and colleagues regarding children’s development, well-being, and concerns.

Early Education and Childcare Services Managers play a critical role in shaping early childhood experiences, fostering developmental growth, and ensuring quality standards in early education settings.

Eligibility to Hire Early education and childcare services managers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Early education and childcare services managers must have relevant experience and qualifications to effectively oversee nursery and early years education centres. The following criteria apply:

• Management Experience: Proven experience in managing early years education settings or relevant childcare facilities.
• Knowledge of Developmental Milestones: Understanding of child development theories and best practices to support children's social and language skill growth.
• Staffing Skills: Ability to recruit, train, and evaluate staff, ensuring a cohesive and well-functioning team that meets educational goals.
• Financial Acumen: Experience in budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation to maintain a sustainable operation.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with health, safety, and regulatory standards, including Ofsted requirements, ensuring compliance within the facility.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey development reports and engage with parents, staff, and stakeholders.
• Educational Qualifications: A degree in early childhood education, educational leadership, or a related field can be advantageous.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2324 and that the candidate’s experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Early education and childcare services managers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Early education and childcare services managers under SOC Code 2324.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Early education and childcare services managers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Early education and childcare services managers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Early education and childcare services managers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Early education and childcare services managers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Early education and childcare services managers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Early education and childcare services managers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Early education and childcare services managers

Before the Early education and childcare services managers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Early education and childcare services managers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Early education and childcare services managers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Early education and childcare services managers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Early education and childcare services managers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Early education and childcare services managerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Early education and childcare services managers

Sponsoring Early education and childcare services managers under SOC Code 2324 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Early education and childcare services managers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Early education and childcare services managers under SOC Code 2324 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.