At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant playcentre, ensuring a safe and inspiring environment for children.
- Company: Community-focused childcare setting with a beautiful outdoor space.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contribution, flexible working, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive community and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in early years and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 42000 £ per year.
Salary: £37,000-£42,000, negotiable dependant upon experience
Hours: Full time
Location: Brighton
Start Date: September 2026
We are a well-established, community-rooted play and childcare setting with a strong identity and a beautiful environment, including substantial outdoor space that forms a central part of our provision. Rated Good by Ofsted, we are proud of our warm, inclusive ethos and are now seeking an exceptional Centre Manager to lead our team and guide the next phase of our development.
The Centre Manager is the most senior leader within the organisation, holding full operational, financial, and strategic responsibility. You will lead a team of around 30 staff, ensuring the setting continues to thrive as a safe, inspiring, and child-centred environment. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys being present, visible, and connected - with children, families, staff, trustees, and the wider community. You will be the face of the centre and the driving force behind continuous improvement.
- Leadership & People Management
- Lead and motivate staff across playwork, early years, and support roles.
- Conduct supervisions, appraisals, and professional development planning.
- Oversee recruitment, induction, and retention.
- Foster a positive, respectful, safeguarding-led culture.
- Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure a smooth, safe, high-quality environment.
- Maintain and enhance indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Ensure policies, procedures, and risk assessments are current and embedded.
- Hold overall responsibility for health and safety.
- Safeguarding
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
- Ensure all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training.
- Maintain a consistently safe environment for all children.
- Financial Management
- Hold responsibility for the centre's budget and financial sustainability.
- Work with the Board to set and monitor budgets.
- Identify and pursue grants, contracts, and funding opportunities.
- Quality & Improvement
- Maintain and build on the centre's Good Ofsted rating.
- Lead self-evaluation and improvement planning.
- Stay current with developments in early years, playwork, and out-of-school care.
- Family & Community Engagement
- Build strong, trusting relationships with families.
- Develop partnerships with schools, community groups, and local agencies.
- Represent the centre in networks and external forums.
What you'll need to succeed
- Proven senior leadership experience in early years, playwork, or out-of-school childcare.
- Full and relevant Level 3 qualification.
- DSL qualification (or willingness to obtain).
- Experience managing teams of 10+.
- Strong financial literacy and budget management experience.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong understanding of Ofsted frameworks and regulatory requirements.
- Commitment to play, child-led learning, and inclusive practice.
Desirable
- Level 5 or 6 qualification in early years, education, or leadership.
- Experience securing external funding.
- Knowledge of local childcare landscapes.
- Experience working with a Board of Trustees.
What you'll get in return
- The chance to lead a well-established, community-centred organisation with a strong identity.
- A supportive and committed Board of Trustees.
- A warm, dedicated team.
- Pension contribution.
- Ongoing professional development.
- Flexible working options available.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.
Playcentre Manager in London employer: Hays
Join a vibrant secondary school that prioritises excellence in education and fosters a supportive community for both students and staff. As the Head of Mathematics, you will benefit from a competitive salary, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and growth. This role not only allows you to lead a dedicated team but also to make a significant impact on student achievement in a welcoming environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Playcentre Manager in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Hays.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Hays.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Hays.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Hays. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Playcentre Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Hays. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Playcentre Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Hays. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
