At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the nursery alongside management, ensuring high standards and supporting staff.
- Company: Join Finkley Down Farm Nursery, part of a passionate childcare group.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 34 days holiday, attendance bonuses, and 50% childcare discount.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Gain real nursery management experience while making a positive impact on children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and previous leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 14.5 - 14.5 £ per hour.
Location: Andover: Finkley Down Farm Nursery
Hours: Full-Time – 38 or 40 hours per week over 4 days
Pay: Up to £14.50 per hour
ABOUT US
Finkley Down Farm Nursery and preschool is part of the Attraction Nurseries family — a growing childcare group passionate about creating incredible early years experiences for children, families and our teams. We believe nursery should be full of adventure, curiosity, laughter and opportunities to learn — and behind every amazing nursery is an equally amazing team. Our ethos says it all: Happy Children. Happy Parents. Happy Staff.
THE ROLE
We’re looking for a confident and ambitious Third in Charge to work alongside our Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, helping lead the day‑to‑day running of the nursery. Think of this role as the bridge between room leadership and nursery management. You’ll still be visible, hands‑on and involved with the children and team, but you’ll also start taking greater responsibility across the whole nursery.
WHAT YOU’LL ACTUALLY BE DOING
- Helping Lead the Nursery
- Work alongside the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager with the day‑to‑day running of the setting
- Step up and take responsibility when members of the management team are unavailable
- Help coordinate staffing, ratios, rotas, breaks and deployment across the nursery
- Support the management team with daily priorities and operational tasks
- Help ensure every room is running effectively and maintaining high standards
- Be a visible, approachable member of the nursery leadership team
- Spot problems, find solutions and help keep the day running smoothly
- Enquiries, Show Rounds & Occupancy
- Respond to parent enquiries professionally and confidently
- Support prospective families from their initial enquiry through to joining the nursery
- Conduct nursery show rounds and showcase what makes us special
- Support the Manager and Deputy with enrolments and settling‑in arrangements
- Help maintain positive relationships with existing families
- Support open days, nursery events and local marketing initiatives
- Understand the importance of occupancy and help the management team grow the nursery
- Championing Amazing EYFS Practice
- Support high‑quality EYFS practice throughout the nursery
- Help Daily Leads and Practitioners with planning, observations and assessments
- Monitor room environments and ensure all seven areas of learning are represented
- Support effective key person practice
- Work alongside the SENCO to ensure children receive the right support
- Complete learning walks and quality checks
- Share ideas, challenge practice positively and celebrate what’s working well
- Safeguarding – Everyone’s Responsibility
- Maintain strong knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
- Support the DSL and management team with safeguarding responsibilities
- Recognise, record and report concerns appropriately
- Support staff who raise safeguarding concerns
- Ensure safeguarding procedures are being followed throughout the nursery
- Help maintain accurate safeguarding records
- Continue developing your knowledge so you’re confident making decisions when it matters
- Supporting & Developing the Team
- Lead by example and set high standards for the team
- Support and coach Practitioners, Apprentices and Daily Leads
- Help induct and welcome new team members
- Provide positive, constructive feedback
- Support Peer Observations of Practice (POPs) and learning walks
- Contribute to staff meetings, supervisions and development conversations
- Help create a culture where people feel supported, valued and accountable
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Complete and review daily risk assessments and safety checks
- Monitor hygiene, food safety and infection control standards
- Ensure emergency procedures are understood and followed
- Identify maintenance or safety concerns and elevate them appropriately
- Support fire drills, lockdown procedures and other emergency practices
- Help keep the nursery ready for internal audits and Ofsted inspections
- Being There for Our Families
- Build strong, professional relationships with parents and carers
- Support with parent questions, concerns and feedback
- Communicate confidently through Famly and face‑to‑face
- Support new families during settling‑in periods
- Work professionally with external agencies and other professionals
- Help create the warm, welcoming atmosphere we want every family to experience
- Keeping Everything Running Smoothly
- You’ll support with:
- Daily and weekly nursery checklists
- Rotas, registers and staffing
- Famly records and communications
- Planning and quality trackers
- Health & safety documentation
- Safeguarding records
- SEN, planning and paperwork time
- Nursery events and communications
WHY THIS ROLE IS AWESOME
This role gives you the opportunity to:
- Gain genuine nursery management experience
- Work directly alongside your Nursery Manager and Deputy
- Learn about occupancy, enquiries and show rounds
- Develop your safeguarding leadership
- Support and influence the whole nursery team
- Get involved with compliance and Ofsted preparation
- Prepare yourself for your next step into Deputy Management
WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING WITH US
- Up to 34 days holiday, plus your birthday off
- Opportunities to increase your pay through our WOW Moments, Planning & Checklists programme
- Attendance bonuses
- A paid volunteer day to support a charity of your choice
- 50% childcare discount
- Free uniform & DBS
- Referral rewards of up to £750
- Free family entry to Finkley Down Farm and Solstice Play!
- Health Assured wellbeing support
- Access to 100+ online training courses
THE PERFECT CANDIDATE
You’re someone who...
- Naturally takes the lead
- Can see the bigger picture, not just what’s happening in your own room
- Is organised and loves getting things done
- Can make decisions and use their initiative
- Supports colleagues while still holding high standards
- Communicates confidently with parents and professionals
- Keeps calm when the nursery gets busy
- Wants to learn more about the management side of Early Years
And most importantly... You’re ready for your next challenge.
Essential:
- Level 3 or above Early Years qualification
- Strong knowledge of the EYFS
- Previous experience leading a room/team within Early Years
- Good safeguarding knowledge
- Confidence supporting and guiding other practitioners
- A proactive, solution-focused approach
Through mentoring, leadership experience and training, we’ll help you build the skills you need to take that next step. You’ll have more responsibility, more influence and more opportunities to develop — while still having the support of your Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager around you.
Attraction Nurseries is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. All offers of employment are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and safer recruitment procedures.
Nursery Third in Charge employer: Finkley Nurseries
At Finkley Down Farm Nursery, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and dynamic employer that values the growth and development of our team. With a strong focus on creating a positive work culture, we offer up to 34 days of holiday, attendance bonuses, and opportunities for professional development through our extensive training programmes. Located in Andover, our nursery provides a vibrant environment where you can gain hands-on management experience while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.
