Step into a pivotal leadership role where you’ll shape the early learning experiences of young children and set the standard for excellence across the nursery. This is an opportunity to lead a dedicated team, drive high-quality practice, and ensure the setting is safe, nurturing, and fully aligned with EYFS and Ofsted expectations. You’ll be trusted to run the nursery as a high-performing, well-regarded provision within the local community.

About the Role:

As Nursery Manager, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring outstanding care and education for all children. You will lead and develop the staff team, maintain robust operational standards, and drive continuous improvement across teaching, safeguarding, and compliance. Your leadership will directly influence outcomes for children, staff performance, and the nursery’s reputation with parents and external regulators.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily nursery operations, ensuring a safe, well-organised, and welcoming environment for children, parents, and staff.
• Lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of the EYFS curriculum to promote high-quality learning and development across all age groups.
• Maintain rigorous safeguarding and child protection practices, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensuring staff follow all procedures.
• Implement and monitor health, safety, and risk assessment processes, addressing hazards promptly and maintaining accurate records.
• Manage staff rotas, workload allocation, and supervision to ensure appropriate staffing levels and effective team performance.
• Build strong relationships with parents and carers through regular communication, meetings, and feedback, addressing concerns promptly and professionally.
• Prepare for and support Ofsted inspections, ensuring policies, documentation, and practice consistently meet regulatory standards.
• Oversee nursery administration, including admissions, attendance, record-keeping, and reporting, ensuring systems are efficient and compliant.
• Lead behaviour management strategies, promoting positive guidance and a nurturing, respectful culture across the setting.
• Manage recruitment, induction, training, and ongoing performance development for all nursery staff.
• Monitor and manage budgets, fees, and financial processes to ensure the nursery operates sustainably and meets financial targets.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in a senior role within an early years setting, ideally as Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager.
• Strong, up-to-date knowledge of the EYFS framework and its practical implementation in a nursery environment.
• Demonstrable expertise in safeguarding and child protection, including leading on procedures and staff training.
• Solid experience in staff leadership, team management, and performance supervision within an early years context.
• Track record of maintaining high standards in health, safety, and risk assessment in childcare settings.
• Experience managing nursery operations and administration, including admissions, records, and regulatory documentation.
• Familiarity with Ofsted requirements and experience supporting or leading nursery inspections.
• Confident in managing behaviour and promoting positive guidance approaches with young children.
• Ability to manage budgets, control costs, and oversee financial processes relevant to nursery operations.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with parents, staff, and external agencies.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience leading a nursery to achieve Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
• Background in implementing quality improvement plans and monitoring progress against key performance indicators.
• Experience with nursery management software and digital record-keeping systems.
• Previous involvement in marketing, occupancy growth, and community engagement initiatives.
• Coaching or mentoring experience to support staff development and retention.

Qualifications:

• Level 3 or above qualification in Early Years Education/Childcare (e.g. NVQ, CACHE, NNEB, or equivalent) – essential.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead training – essential or willingness to complete promptly.
• Paediatric First Aid certification – essential or willingness to obtain within agreed timescales.
• Level 5 qualification in Early Years, Childcare, or Leadership and Management – desirable.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in early years leadership, safeguarding, and EYFS practice – desirable.

If you are a confident early years leader ready to take full ownership of a nursery and drive high standards for children, staff, and families, we’d like to hear from you. Apply now to take the next step in your nursery management career.