At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nursery team to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 3-4.
- Company: Join a warm, community-focused primary school in Maidstone, Kent.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, family-friendly policies, and a supportive leadership team.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities to innovate and shape the nursery's vision.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's early development in a well-resourced setting.
- Qualifications: Level 3+ Early Years Qualification and experience in early years education.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Your new company
The nursery is part of a warm, inclusive, and community-focused primary school located in Kent. The school is committed to providing a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Early Years provision is a key part of the school's vision, with a strong emphasis on play-based learning, outdoor exploration, and building positive relationships with families.
- A child-centred ethos that celebrates individuality and encourages curiosity
- A supportive and collaborative staff team who work closely across year groups
- A well-resourced Early Years environment, including dedicated indoor and outdoor learning spaces
- A strong commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and high-quality early education
- Positive partnerships with parents and the wider community
Your new role
The Nursery Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day management of the nursery provision within a primary school in Kent. The role ensures that children aged 3-4 receive a safe, nurturing, and stimulating early years experience aligned with the EYFS framework. The manager leads the nursery team, oversees curriculum delivery, ensures compliance with statutory requirements, and builds strong relationships with parents and the wider school community.
Key responsibilities
- Leadership & Management - Lead, motivate, and support nursery practitioners to deliver high-quality early years education.
- Curriculum & Pedagogy - Plan, implement, and evaluate a rich EYFS curriculum that supports children's learning, development, and school readiness.
- Safeguarding & Welfare - Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or deputy), ensuring all safeguarding policies are followed and children's welfare is prioritised.
- Operational Management - Oversee daily operations including staffing, rotas, room organisation, resources, and health & safety compliance.
- Assessment & Record-Keeping - Monitor children's progress, maintain accurate records, and ensure high-quality observations and assessments.
- Parent & Community Partnerships - Build positive relationships with families, provide regular communication, and support transitions into Reception.
- Quality Assurance - Lead continuous improvement, prepare for Ofsted inspections, and ensure the nursery meets all statutory and school-based standards.
- Inclusion & SEND Support - Work closely with the SENCO to ensure inclusive practice and tailored support for children with additional needs.
- Budget & Resource Management - Manage nursery resources effectively and contribute to budget planning.
What you'll need to succeed
Essential
- Level 3+ Early Years Qualification (Level 6 desirable)
- Strong knowledge of the EYFS, child development, and early years pedagogy
- Experience leading or supervising staff in an early years setting
- Excellent understanding of safeguarding, health & safety, and statutory requirements
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues
Desirable
- Experience working within a school-based nursery
- Paediatric First Aid qualification
- DSL training
- Experience supporting children with SEND
What you’ll get in return
- Supportive Leadership - A welcoming Senior Leadership Team committed to staff wellbeing and professional growth.
- Professional Development - Access to high-quality CPD, including EYFS training, safeguarding updates, and leadership development pathways.
- Collaborative Team Culture - Work alongside a friendly, experienced Early Years team who share ideas, resources, and best practice.
- Well-Resourced Environment - A thoughtfully designed nursery space with excellent indoor and outdoor learning areas.
- Opportunities to Shape Provision - Freedom to lead, innovate, and develop the nursery's vision and curriculum.
- Family-Friendly Policies - Supportive policies around work-life balance, including term-time working patterns depending on the contract.
- Community Impact - The chance to make a meaningful difference to children and families at a crucial stage in their development.
- Pension & Holiday Entitlement - Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and generous holiday allowances (contract-dependent).
Nursery Manager in Maidstone employer: About Early Years Ltd.
This nursery, part of a nurturing primary school in Maidstone, offers an exceptional work environment for a Nursery Manager, characterised by a supportive leadership team and a collaborative culture. With a strong commitment to professional development and a well-resourced Early Years setting, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on children's lives. The family-friendly policies and focus on community partnerships further enhance the appeal of this role, making it an excellent choice for those passionate about early years education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work in early years. They might know about openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the nursery's ethos and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their child-centred approach and commitment to safeguarding.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams or improved early years provision in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you're serious about joining our community-focused team.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years Education:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through. Share specific examples of how you've nurtured children's development and created engaging learning environments.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the Nursery Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Nursery Manager, you'll be leading a team, so don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and supported staff in previous roles to deliver high-quality education.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at About Early Years Ltd.
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Brush up on key principles and how they apply to play-based learning, as this will show your understanding of child development and pedagogy during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in an early years setting. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your staff to deliver high-quality education. This will demonstrate your capability as a Nursery Manager.
✨Emphasise Safeguarding Knowledge
Be ready to discuss safeguarding policies and your experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Highlight any training you've completed and how you’ve implemented these practices to ensure children's welfare is prioritised.
✨Build Relationships with Parents
Think of ways you’ve fostered positive relationships with families in previous roles. Share specific strategies you used to communicate effectively and support transitions, as this aligns with the nursery's commitment to community partnerships.
