At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to support children's growth and development.
- Company: Cherubs Nurseries, a family-run business dedicated to early years education.
- Benefits: 30% off childcare, free healthy lunches, and competitive salary.
- Other info: Join a supportive community with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Recent graduates or those pivoting from leadership roles welcome.
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 Us
Established in 1993, Cherubs Nurseries is a family-run business on a mission to give all children the personalities, skills and experiences they need to take on the world, without limitations. Central to our approach (inspired by Montessori, Hygge, Reggio and Forest School) is our Community Life work which aims to make the communities we serve better places to live, work and grow up in. We know it takes a village to raise a child and we want our nurseries to be reflective of our communities. We champion diversity in the early years sector and are driven to bring more men into early years, supporting MITEY to achieve a mixed-gender early years workforce.
Cherubs Wynndale is a modern 55-place nursery, conveniently located in the grounds of Wynndale Primary School. It has an established and long-serving team with good bus and road links.
Why work at Cherubs Nurseries?
- Family-run business, but with all the benefits you would expect from a bigger group!
- Committed to taking people where they want to go – from personalised professional development pathways to continuous internal training.
- Experienced and long-standing teams – plenty of support whilst you get to grips with Cherubs Nurseries.
- Opportunity to progress and transfer internally – whether that’s within your current nursery or to another team or nursery within the group.
- Exceptional early years environments – we heavily invest in our nurseries to ensure they align with our approach and curriculum and are the best places to work for our team.
- Proactive and forward-thinking culture – we’re committed to making Cherubs Nurseries a great place to work.
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
- Competitive Annual Salary
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.
- 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.
Passionate about giving children the best start in life? So are we. If you’re nurturing, dedicated, and ready to help little minds grow, we’d love to welcome you to our team. Apply now and start making a difference every single day.
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 - Mansfield employer: Childcare East Midlands LLP.
Cherubs Nurseries is an exceptional employer that combines the warmth of a family-run business with the extensive benefits of a larger organisation. Located in Mansfield, our modern nursery offers a supportive work culture with dedicated mentorship, personalised professional development pathways, and opportunities for internal progression. We are committed to creating a proactive environment where every team member can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in our community.
Contact Details:
Childcare East Midlands LLP. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Head of Nursery - Mansfield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's values and mission inside out. When you walk into that interview, show us how your passion aligns with our commitment to giving children the best start in life. It’s all about connecting your heart to our purpose!
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just talk about your qualifications; share real-life examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. We love hearing stories that showcase your leadership skills and dedication to early years education.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Cherubs Nurseries on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and get insider tips on what it’s really like to work here. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our community from the get-go. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Head of Nursery - Mansfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through! Share why you want to lead and support children and families, and how your values align with our mission at Cherubs Nurseries.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Graduate Head of Nursery role. Highlight any relevant experience, skills, and qualifications that demonstrate your readiness to take on this leadership position in early years education.
Be Authentic:We love authenticity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Share your unique experiences and perspectives that make you a great fit for our team and culture.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining the Cherubs Nurseries family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Childcare East Midlands LLP.
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to understand Cherubs Nurseries' vision and values. Think about how your personal beliefs align with their mission to support children and families. Be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated similar values in your past experiences.
✨Show Your Passion for Early Years Education
During the interview, express your genuine enthusiasm for early years education. Share specific moments or experiences that ignited your passion for working with children. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're not just looking for a job, but a meaningful career.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your leadership skills and ability to handle challenges in a nursery setting. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully managed a team or resolved conflicts. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared to ask the interviewers. Inquire about their community initiatives or how they support professional development for staff. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the nursery is the right fit for you.
