Manager in Training - Opportunities Across Ark Start Early Years Settings in City of London

We have an exciting opportunity for motivated and capable individuals to join us as a Manager in Training. We have positions available in the following London-based settings:

• Ark Start St Clement, 95 Princedale Road, London W11 4NS
• Ark Start John Archer, Plough Terrace, Clapham Junction, London SW11 2AA
• Ark Start Oval, 43 Cross Road, Croydon, CR0 6TE
• Ark Start John Keats, Bell Ln, Enfield EN3 5PA

This role is designed to develop future Ark Start nursery managers through a structured training and development programme. The manager in training programme is an enhanced educational programme within Ark Start which offers a unique opportunity to build a career in early years education while making a tangible difference in children’s lives. The role combines hands-on responsibilities, leadership development, and extensive training, designed to equip a candidate with the skills to eventually manage and open their own Ark Start nursery.

This role blends direct involvement in children's care and development with leadership and operational management, making it ideal for professionals passionate about advancing both educational and managerial skills. In this position, the successful candidate will be a part of the Ark Start nursery team, supporting their host Nursery Manager in day-to-day operations while preparing for their eventual leadership role. As part of their training, they’ll work four days a week at their host nursery, receiving consistent supervision, mentorship, and coaching with one additional day at a peer nursery. The programme will be monitored and managed by our Head of Teaching and Learning who will work closely with the candidate to ensure they are progressing through line management style meetings and check-ins. The focus will be on nurturing children’s early developmental needs across social, emotional, intellectual, and physical domains, all while maintaining a safe, supportive, and enriching learning environment.

The successful candidate will be appointed in a Manager in Training capacity. Progression to a substantive manager role will be subject to the successful completion of the training programme, organisational requirements and demonstration of the required competencies.

Benefits

• A Real Living Wage Employer: We are a Real Living Wage employer with a minimum salary of £13.15 per hour for all roles in London. We also pay 11% pension contributions.
• Ongoing Learning: We are committed to providing the best development for all our staff. We close the nurseries for five days each year to focus on staff training and ensure there is protected time for training and supervision each week for every adult. We work hard to ensure there are clear career progression routes.
• Annual leave: We are proud of our staff and want everyone to feel valued for playing their part. That’s why staff receive 25 days holiday each year, excluding bank holidays.
• Wellbeing: Staff wellbeing is incredibly important to us. We know that while incredibly rewarding, working in a nursery can be challenging. We therefore work hard to ensure all staff have the support and infrastructure they need to take care of their wellbeing.
• Part of a Network: Ark Start is part of Ark, a charity that aims to transform children’s lives through education. Ark operates a network of 39 schools across London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, and Hastings as well as a number of charitable ventures. Being part of a network means our staff get access to the opportunities, infrastructure, and support of a large organisation.

Our dedicated team work together to ensure that every child has a joyful, engaging, and secure nursery experience and leaves us ready to start school happily and confidently. We are driven by our values in everything we do: Aim High, Be Brave, Be Kind and Keep Learning.

Ark Start is at an exciting time in its evolution. We opened two nurseries in South London last year and aim to expand our reach over the coming years. As we expand, we are looking for Early Childhood Educators to join our founding team. We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for young children and with the skill, creativity, commitment, and energy to deliver excellent provision at Ark Start.

Diversity and inclusion: We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement: Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.