At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nursery team, support families, and ensure the best start for every child.
- Company: Cherubs Nurseries, dedicated to nurturing young minds with passion and purpose.
- Benefits: 30% off childcare, free healthy lunches, and long-service awards.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Fast-track your career in early years leadership with immersive experiences and mentorship.
- Qualifications: Graduates or those pivoting from leadership roles in various industries.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Want to lead with passion, purpose, and heart? We’re looking for a dedicated future early years leader to guide our team, support our families, and champion the best start in life for every child.
About the Role
Our 2-year Graduate Talent Programme is a structured development pathway designed to fast-track exceptional individuals into the role of Head of Nursery (Nursery Manager). Whether you’re graduating in 2026 or seeking a career pivot from leadership roles in industries like hospitality, retail or business; our programme delivers:
- Immersive nursery rotations for early years leadership experience
- Head Office exposure across people, finance, recruitment, parent experience and operations
- Funded completion of an Early Years qualification (where required)
- Dedicated mentorship and peer networking with your cohort
- Real-world leadership through projects, evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives
Cherubs Nurseries Rewards and Benefits
- 30% off childcare at Cherubs Nurseries
- Long-service awards for 5+ years service
- Annual “Me Day” after 1 year’s service
- Electric Car Scheme (for those eligible)
- Free healthy lunch, made by our Nursery Chef
Our Offer
- A bonus scheme if on track with graduate programme pathway – at the discretion of Line Manager
- Progress to a permanent Head of Nursery Role
What you’ll be doing
- Assist nursery teams in upholding EYFS standards in day-to-day operations, in addition to the Cherubs Nurseries approach and curriculum.
- Get to know the children, families and staff team at the nursery, creating a trusting rapport with all.
- Assist in managing the team and organise training/meetings to keep them up to date on business changes and best practice.
- Supervise and appraise the team, keeping them motivated whilst addressing any issues that may arise.
- Uphold safeguarding, health and safety and Cherubs Nurseries standards in all nursery environments.
- Support our people and culture strategy and recruitment processes.
- Challenge any behaviours or practices that go against the Cherubs Nurseries vision, values, brand promises in addition to our operating policies and procedures.
- Embrace and implement the Cherubs Nurseries vision, values and brand promises, ensuring you promote these in all aspects of your role.
- Embrace any other duties which may be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the post, as defined, subject to the provision that normally any changes of a permanent nature shall be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.
- Ensure records are properly maintained and archived, following the Cherubs Nurseries GDPR policy.
As part of this role, you will be required to attend 3 paid Saturday Training Days every year (January, May and September) along with an annual fundraising event for your nursery that also takes place on a Saturday.
Disclaimer
Cherubs Nurseries is committed to upholding a safe and compliant workforce and business. All roles require: the right to work in the United Kingdom, the completion of a “Keeping Children Safe” Form, a DBS and at least 2 satisfactory employment references. Some roles may also require a 5-year employment history. Cherubs Nurseries is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees with disabilities and learning difficulties.
Graduate Head of Nursery - Mapperley in Carlton employer: Childcare East Midlands LLP.
At Cherubs Nurseries, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that nurtures the next generation of early years leaders. Our Graduate Talent Programme offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth, with immersive experiences, dedicated mentorship, and a supportive work culture that values passion and purpose. Located in Mapperley, we provide attractive benefits such as childcare discounts, a healthy lunch prepared by our Nursery Chef, and a commitment to employee well-being through initiatives like our annual 'Me Day'.
Contact Details:
Childcare East Midlands LLP. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Head of Nursery - Mapperley in Carlton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Cherubs Nurseries on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the culture and what they really value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the EYFS standards and Cherubs' values. We want to see your passion for early years education shine through, so think of examples from your experience that align with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Whether it’s from hospitality, retail, or any other field, we need to hear how you’ve motivated teams and tackled challenges. Bring those stories to life during your interview!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Cherubs family and ready to take that next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Head of Nursery - Mapperley in Carlton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for leading and supporting children and families, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Graduate Head of Nursery. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that align with our vision and values at Cherubs Nurseries.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you want to convey. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Childcare East Midlands LLP.
✨Know Your Nursery Standards
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards and Cherubs Nurseries' specific approach. Be ready to discuss how you would uphold these standards in day-to-day operations, as this shows your commitment to quality early years education.
✨Build Rapport with Families
Think about ways to create trusting relationships with children and their families. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with parents or guardians in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your ability to support the community aspect of the nursery.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate a team. Share specific instances where you've organised training or addressed team issues, highlighting your ability to manage and inspire others effectively.
✨Embrace the Cherubs Vision
Understand and embody the vision, values, and brand promises of Cherubs Nurseries. During the interview, express how you would promote these principles in your role, showing that you're aligned with the company's culture and goals.
