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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams across four boutique nurseries in London.
- Company: Join a family-founded nursery group known for its supportive culture and high educational standards.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 40+ days holiday, travel allowance, and a close-knit leadership team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's education and well-being in a vibrant, multicultural environment.
- Qualifications: Must have Level 3 Early Years qualification and 4+ years in senior leadership roles.
- Other info: Full-time role with no sponsorship available; flexibility to travel across locations is required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
We are helping our client, a well-established, family-founded private nursery group in London, recruit a new senior leader to join their organisation. The group operates four boutique nurseries across London and is known for its warm, supportive culture, high educational standards, and long-serving, hands-on team. Since its founding in 2004, the group has grown steadily while maintaining a close-knit, values-driven approach that integrates multicultural practices Their settings are play-based, bilingual, and enriched with Forest School activities, specialist classes, and a strong focus on children’s emotional well-being.
In this role, you will act as the senior operational and strategic leader across four nursery locations in London, guiding teams in delivering exceptional care and education. You will have full responsibility for operational excellence and will be expected to lead by example, providing hands-on support while also driving high-level initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Manage, guide, motivate, and support nursery managers to ensure outstanding care, education and business performance of the chain
- Manage the head office (Admin, Marketing, Recruitment departments)
- Drive strategic planning and continuous improvement across all nursery settings
- Ensure full compliance with Ofsted standards, EYFS requirements, and safeguarding policies
- Monitor nursery performance, analyse KPIs, and implement best practices
- Manage financial performance, occupancy levels, and resource allocation
- Foster strong relationships with staff, parents, and the wider community, promoting each nursery as a centre of excellence
Requirements
- Level 3 Early Years qualification or higher (EYPS, EYT, Early Years Degree, or NNEB)
- 4+ years of experience in a senior multi-site leadership role within private day nurseries
- Deep understanding of Ofsted inspections, EYFS framework, safeguarding standards, and early childhood development
- Demonstrated success in leading and inspiring teams, with strong strategic and operational skills
- Hands-on leadership style with a background in boutique or independent nursery groups
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse communities and staff
- Flexibility to travel regularly across four nursery locations in London (mostly West London)
What the Company Offers
- A competitive salary with annual bonus potential and possible future profit share
- Over 40 days of paid holiday annually
- Travel allowance between nursery locations
- A supportive, close-knit leadership team with coaching and development opportunities
- A high-standard, upbeat work environment where staff well-being is genuinely valued
- Long-term growth potential within a respected, stable nursery group
Full-time role. No sponsorship at the moment.
Executive Director (Early Years) employer: Expert Executive Recruiters (EER Global)
Contact Detail:
Expert Executive Recruiters (EER Global) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director (Early Years)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific values and culture of the nursery group. Understanding their play-based, bilingual approach and commitment to emotional well-being will help you align your leadership style with their ethos during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the early years sector, especially those who have experience with Ofsted inspections and EYFS requirements. This can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your hands-on leadership experiences in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've motivated teams and driven operational excellence in previous roles, particularly in multi-site environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of the local community and how you can foster relationships with parents and staff. Highlight any previous initiatives you've led that promoted community engagement or enhanced the nursery's reputation as a centre of excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director (Early Years)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in early years education and leadership. Emphasise your qualifications, particularly any Level 3 Early Years qualifications or higher, and detail your multi-site management experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for early childhood education and your understanding of the Ofsted standards and EYFS framework. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you have successfully led teams and improved nursery performance.
Highlight Your Leadership Style: In your application, clearly articulate your hands-on leadership style and how it aligns with the values of the nursery group. Discuss your approach to motivating and supporting staff, as well as your experience in fostering strong relationships with parents and the community.
Showcase Your Strategic Vision: Demonstrate your strategic planning skills by outlining how you would drive continuous improvement across the nursery settings. Mention any relevant KPIs you have successfully monitored and improved in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Expert Executive Recruiters (EER Global)
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership roles in detail. Highlight specific examples of how you've motivated and guided teams, particularly in multi-site environments. This will demonstrate your capability to manage the nursery managers effectively.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the nursery group's values and culture before the interview. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding their focus on emotional well-being and multicultural practices.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Ofsted Standards
Since compliance with Ofsted standards is crucial for this role, brush up on the latest requirements and be prepared to discuss how you would ensure these standards are met across all nursery locations.
✨Prepare Questions About Strategic Initiatives
Think of insightful questions regarding the nursery group's future plans and strategic initiatives. This shows your interest in the role and your readiness to contribute to their ongoing success and improvement.
