Join a well-established, high-performing nursery in Fulham where you’ll have the autonomy and support to shape an outstanding early years environment. This is a permanent leadership role for an experienced Nursery Manager who is passionate about delivering high-quality care and education, driving continuous improvement, and building strong relationships with families and staff.

About the Role:

As Nursery Manager, you will lead the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care, education and safeguarding for all children. You will oversee curriculum delivery, staff performance, and operational effectiveness, ensuring full compliance with EYFS and Ofsted requirements. Your leadership will directly influence the nursery’s culture, outcomes for children, and reputation within the local community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the daily operations of the nursery, ensuring a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for all children.
• Oversee planning, implementation and evaluation of the EYFS curriculum, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning across all rooms.
• Line-manage, coach and mentor staff, including supervision, performance reviews, training and supporting professional development.
• Maintain robust safeguarding and child protection practices, acting as a key point of contact for any concerns and ensuring policies are followed.
• Ensure full compliance with Ofsted requirements, including preparing for inspections, maintaining accurate records and implementing action plans.
• Manage nursery administration, including occupancy, registers, fees, funding, staffing rotas and general record-keeping.
• Implement and monitor health, safety and risk assessment procedures, ensuring all statutory and organisational standards are met.
• Promote positive behaviour management strategies, working with staff and families to support children’s emotional wellbeing and development.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in a Nursery Manager or senior leadership role within an early years setting.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of the EYFS framework and early years best practice.
• Demonstrable experience of safeguarding and child protection, including acting on concerns and following procedures.
• Confident staff leadership skills, with experience in team management, supervision and performance improvement.
• Solid understanding of nursery operations, including administration, occupancy management and funding processes.
• Experience preparing for and responding to Ofsted inspections, with a track record of contributing to good or outstanding outcomes.
• In-depth knowledge of health, safety and risk assessment procedures within early years environments.
• Effective behaviour management skills and experience in promoting positive guidance and emotional support for children.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience working within a busy, urban nursery setting or similar demographic to Fulham.
• Familiarity with digital systems for nursery management, planning and parent communication.
• Experience building strong partnerships with parents, carers and external agencies.
• Knowledge of inclusive practice and supporting children with additional needs.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in Early Years/Childcare (or equivalent) – essential.
• Higher-level early years qualification (e.g. Level 5/6, Early Years Teacher Status or relevant degree) – desirable.
• Up-to-date Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training – preferred or willingness to undertake.
• Current Paediatric First Aid qualification – essential or willingness to update prior to start.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in early years leadership, EYFS and compliance.

If you are an experienced, hands-on Nursery Manager ready to lead a high-quality setting in Fulham, we’d like to hear from you. Apply now to take the next step in your early years leadership career.