At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant nursery, inspiring teams and ensuring high-quality childcare.
- Company: Join Poppies Holmer Green, a supportive and nurturing environment for children and staff.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £1,000 welcome bonus, quarterly bonuses, and 75% childcare discount.
- Other info: Dynamic role with genuine progression opportunities and a positive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Childcare qualification and previous nursery management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 30000 £ per year.
Poppies Holmer Green is looking for a confident and experienced Nursery Manager to lead our well-established nursery and continue building a positive, high-quality environment for children, families and teams. This role is ideal for a strong Early Years leader who enjoys developing teams, driving standards and creating a nursery culture where both children and teams thrive. You will be joining a stable nursery with supportive senior leadership, strong team foundations and the freedom to lead your setting with confidence.
With its inspiring outdoor learning spaces, Forest School experiences and nurturing family feel, Poppies Holmer Green provides children with a fun, engaging environment where they can confidently learn, explore and thrive. If you take pride in running a happy, organised nursery and leading a team people genuinely enjoy being part of, we would love to hear from you.
What we offer:
- £1,000 welcome bonus
- Quarterly bonus scheme worth up to £3,000 per year
- 75% childcare discount
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and your birthday off
- Genuine progression opportunities within a growing group
- Supportive and approachable senior leadership team
- Employee wellbeing & assistance programme
- Refer a friend bonus up to £750
- Well-resourced nursery with a positive team culture
The role:
As Nursery Manager, you will lead the day-to-day running of the nursery while maintaining high standards across the setting. You will be responsible for:
- Leading, motivating, and developing your nursery team
- Ensuring EYFS and safeguarding compliance
- Building strong parent partnerships
- Driving occupancy and overall nursery performance
- Leading Ofsted preparation and inspections
- Supporting staff development and wellbeing
- Creating a positive, professional team culture
This is a hands-on leadership role where your experience, leadership style, and decision-making will make a genuine impact every day.
What we're looking for:
Essential:
- Full and relevant Level 3 Childcare qualification
- Previous Nursery Management experience
- Strong knowledge of EYFS and safeguarding
- Experience leading teams within Early Years
- Passion for delivering high-quality childcare and education
Desirable:
- Level 5 qualification in Childcare, Leadership, or Management
- Experience achieving Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes
Apply today! If you're looking for a Nursery Manager role where you can lead confidently, feel supported and genuinely enjoy coming to work, we would love to speak with you.
We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate will be required for all posts. This post will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our Safeguarding Duty.
Poppies Holmer Green is part of the Family First Group where we take great care to treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within the Family First Group.
Nursery Manager in Milton Keynes employer: Family First Nursery Group
Poppies Holmer Green is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff, offering a supportive environment where Nursery Managers can thrive. With a generous benefits package including a £1,000 welcome bonus, quarterly bonuses, and 75% childcare discount, employees enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance while being part of a nurturing team culture. The nursery's commitment to high-quality childcare and education, combined with opportunities for genuine progression within the Family First Group, makes it an ideal place for passionate leaders in Early Years education.
Contact Details:
Family First Nursery Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager in Milton Keynes
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Family First Nursery Group.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Family First Nursery Group.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Family First Nursery Group; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Family First Nursery Group.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Nursery Manager.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Family First Nursery Group is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Family First Nursery Group a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Family First Nursery Group
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Family First Nursery Group might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.