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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create a nurturing and fun nursery environment while leading an inspiring Early Years team.
- Company: Join Ark Start, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to children and community.
- Benefits: Ongoing coaching, mentoring, and support for your professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team focused on high-quality nursery provision.
- Why this job: Shape the future of early years education in a brand new nursery.
- Qualifications: L3 Early Childhood Educator qualification and 3+ years of leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the role
Ark Start nurseries are led by skilled early-years practitioners who create a rich blend of play-based experiences and purposeful adult-led learning. As a not-for-profit organisation, everything we do is focused on children, families, and community. We are looking for someone who brings genuine passion for working with young children - someone creative, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to shaping an exceptional early years environment. Our new Ark Start Earls Court nursery is preparing to open this summer. As our founding manager, you will play a key role in setting up the nursery and recruiting an inspiring Early Years team. You will also have the unique opportunity to shape the way we do things - bringing your voice, expertise, and vision to the creation of high-quality nursery provision for all children. This opening marks the ninth nursery in the Ark Start network, and you won’t be doing it alone - you will have the full support, guidance, and shared expertise of the entire Ark Start team as you bring this new setting to life. Our managers benefit from ongoing coaching and mentoring, ensuring you are supported both professionally and personally as you lead this exciting new provision.
Personal Characteristics
- A genuine passion for working with developing their staff with a deep belief in their potential.
- Creativity, curiosity and the ability to bring joy, playfulness and warmth to early years learning.
- A strong commitment to inclusion, ensuring every child is valued and supported.
- Reflective, open to feedback and eager to learn through coaching and professional growth.
- Highly motivated with a strong drive for continuous improvement.
- Confident communicator who can build strong, positive relationships with families and professionals.
- Calm under pressure, with good judgement and the ability to make decisions in the best interests of children.
- Values driven, aligned with Ark Start's mission and committed to high quality nursery provision for all children.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- A full and relevant L3 Early Childhood Educator qualification (or equivalent).
- At least 3 years' experience working as a room leader or above.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework.
Desirable:
- Full and relevant Level 5 or Level 6 qualification in Early Years or Leadership and Management (e.g., Early Years Teacher Status, BA in Early Childhood Studies).
- Knowledge of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) best practice and the SEND Code of Practice.
- Experience of being a DSL or DDSL within a nursery.
Key Responsibilities
- To create a nurturing, fun, safe and caring nursery environment that meets the needs of every child.
- To implement the Ark Start curriculum.
- To ensure compliance to all Ark Start and statutory policies.
- To lead on nursery improvement and engage with regular coaching and monitoring of the provision and ensure the nursery is constantly improving.
- Actively promote the safety and welfare of our children and young people.
- Liaise with colleagues and external contacts at all levels of seniority with confidence, tact and diplomacy.
- Ensure the management information system is up to date.
- Ensure the 'look and feel' of the nursery is in line with Ark Start expectations and values.
- To be the Designated SENDCo; to regularly assess impact of provision put in place for initial concern and SEND children as well as work closely with families and play partners to ensure individual children's needs are being fully met.
- To be DSL and ensure all safeguarding policies and risk assessments are up to date, kept under review and that all staff are following them.
- To write and keep up to date all Risk Assessments and ensure all staff are aware of and following these.
- To ensure full occupancy and operate nursery at break even.
- Work with colleagues, children, and families to develop a strong nursery community including delivery of family workshops and programmes to support children's progress.
Nursery Manager in City of London employer: ARK START
Contact Detail:
ARK START Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector, attend local events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. Share stories that highlight your creativity and commitment to creating a nurturing environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation. Familiarise yourself with Ark Start's values and mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're all about.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Ark Start community.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your genuine love for working with young children shine through in your application. Share specific examples of how you've created engaging and nurturing environments in the past.
Be Creative: Don’t hold back on showcasing your creativity! Whether it’s through your CV layout or the way you describe your experiences, make sure it reflects your innovative approach to early years education.
Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to detail your relevant qualifications and experience clearly. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, especially your leadership skills and knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at ARK START
✨Know Your Early Years Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented it in your previous roles and how you plan to bring it to life at Ark Start. Show them you’re not just knowledgeable, but passionate about creating a nurturing environment for children.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Think of specific examples where you've used creativity to enhance children's learning experiences. Whether it's through play-based activities or innovative teaching methods, be prepared to share your ideas on how you can make the nursery a fun and engaging place for kids.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a founding manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Share your experiences in mentoring and developing staff, and how you’ve fostered a positive team culture in the past. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with families and professionals alike.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your judgement and decision-making skills, especially under pressure. Think of scenarios where you had to make tough calls in the best interest of children. This will show your calmness and confidence in handling challenging situations.