At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to provide exceptional care and education for children.
- Company: Join a supportive nursery committed to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, childcare discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with strong community ties and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Early Years and previous management experience required.
Nursery Manager
Location: Sefton, Merseyside
Salary: £37,000 - £40,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: 38.75 hours per week, all year round
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
An Opportunity to Make A Difference!
We believe great nurseries are built by great people!
We're looking for a Nursery Manager who leads with kindness, integrity and high expectations; someone who cares as much about developing staff and supporting families as they do about providing outstanding experiences for children.
This is an opportunity to lead an established 39-place nursery with a strong team and supportive families. As Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for the quality, safeguarding, staffing, occupancy and day-to-day operation of the nursery, ensuring children receive the very best care and education whilst supporting colleagues to thrive in their roles.
The Role
As Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day operation of the nursery. You will ensure children receive exceptional care and education, staff are supported to perform at their best, and families experience a welcoming and high-quality service. You will be accountable for quality, safeguarding, staffing, occupancy, financial performance and compliance with all statutory requirements.
What We Offer
In addition to a competitive salary, we are committed to investing in our leaders and currently offer or are developing:
- Annual performance-related bonus scheme
- Flexible working arrangements where operationally possible
- Dedicated leadership and development opportunities
- Supportive senior leadership team
- Protected administration and planning time
- Childcare discount / free childcare place options (subject to eligibility and availability)
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance scheme.
- Enhanced training and professional development opportunities
- Planned wellbeing enhancements, including a healthcare cash plan
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
- Lead, motivate and develop a team of approximately 16-20 staff.
- Create a positive, supportive and high-performing culture.
- Lead by example and promote excellent practice throughout the nursery.
- Maintain positive relationships with children, families, staff and external professionals.
- Work closely with senior leaders to support continuous improvement.
Quality & Curriculum
- Ensure delivery of high-quality early years education in line with the EYFS.
- Monitor children's progress and outcomes.
- Support staff to deliver engaging and inspiring learning experiences.
- Drive continuous improvement across the nursery.
- Lead preparation for and management of Ofsted inspections.
Safeguarding & Compliance
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Ensure safeguarding remains everyone's responsibility and that concerns are managed appropriately.
- Maintain compliance with EYFS, Ofsted and all relevant legislation.
- Oversee health and safety standards throughout the nursery.
- Ensure staff training, DBS records and compliance requirements remain up to date.
Staff Development
- Recruit, induct and retain high-quality staff.
- Conduct supervisions, appraisals and performance reviews.
- Support wellbeing and staff engagement.
- Identify training needs and create development opportunities.
- Manage staffing levels and deployment effectively.
Occupancy & Parent Partnerships
- Lead nursery tours and build strong relationships with prospective families.
- Support occupancy growth and retention of existing families.
- Promote the nursery positively within the local community.
- Ensure excellent communication and customer service standards.
Financial & Operational Management
- Monitor staffing costs and nursery expenditure.
- Manage budgets and resources effectively.
- Ensure efficient deployment of staff.
- Support delivery of nursery occupancy and financial targets.
- Oversee the smooth day-to-day operation of the nursery.
About You
You will be a confident and experienced leader who can balance quality childcare with effective people and operational management.
Essential
- Level 3 qualification in Early Years or Childcare.
- Have already achieved a suitable Level 2 (or equivalent) Maths qualification or do so within 2 years of commencing.
- Previous nursery management or deputy management/room leader experience.
- Two years post-qualified experience working in early years.
- Strong understanding of the EYFS.
- Excellent safeguarding knowledge.
- Experience leading and developing teams.
- Strong communication and organisational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Good IT skills.
- Commitment to delivering outstanding childcare.
Desirable
- Level 5 qualification in Early Years, Leadership or Management.
- Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- SEND or SENCO experience.
- Experience preparing for Ofsted inspections.
- Experience of nursery occupancy management and business development.
- Experience using nursery management software such as Famly.
Why Join Us?
We believe great nurseries are built by great people.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about making a difference to children's lives, supporting staff to reach their potential and helping shape the future of an established nursery.
If you're ready for your next leadership challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
Nursery Manager employer: First Steps Enterprise Limited
First Steps Enterprise Limited is an exceptional employer, offering flexible roles that allow Early Years Practitioners to balance their professional development with personal commitments. Located in Liverpool, the company fosters a supportive work culture where staff are encouraged to collaborate and grow, ensuring that every practitioner can make a meaningful impact on children's lives while enjoying competitive pay and benefits.
Contact Details:
First Steps Enterprise Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
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✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
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✨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!
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We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
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How to prepare for a job interview at First Steps Enterprise Limited
✨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.
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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 First Steps Enterprise Limited might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
