At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nurturing nursery, support children’s growth, and embrace outdoor learning.
- Company: Hillside Gems, a warm and supportive nursery in a beautiful village setting.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, childcare discounts, free parking, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a values-led team and shape thoughtful practices in early years education.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives in a close-knit, nature-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and previous nursery leadership experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
About the Role
We are looking for a warm, capable and inspiring Nursery Manager to lead our beautiful Terling site from September 2026. Terling is a small, nurturing 21-place nursery and preschool, offering a calm and personal environment where children can be truly known, supported and celebrated. This is a special opportunity for a manager who values close relationships, thoughtful practice and the joy of working in a smaller setting where every child and family matters. The nursery is within walking distance of a beautiful nature park, giving children rich opportunities to explore, discover and connect with the natural world. We are looking for a manager who will embrace outdoor learning and help bring nature, movement and curiosity into everyday nursery life. This role would suit someone who is open to new approaches, thoughtful systems and fresh ideas. The successful candidate will have opportunities to work alongside a qualified Early Years Teacher, trial new ways of working and help develop practice across the setting in a way that is purposeful, reflective and child-centred.
Working Hours
The role is expected to be Full-time, Monday - Friday, to be available during the hours of 8-4pm.
Pay: £15ph + £1.81ph rolled-up holiday pay = £16.81 per hour
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day running of the Terling site nursery and preschool
- Manage systems that support the smooth daily running of the nursery
- Create a warm, safe and inspiring environment for children aged 2–5
- Lead and support a small team, modelling strong early years practice
- Work as a team with the Directors to ensure high-quality care, education and safeguarding
- Build positive relationships with children, families, staff and the wider Hillside Gems team
- Support high-quality teaching, learning and care in line with the EYFS
- Be open to trialling new approaches, systems and ways of working
- Champion outdoor learning, including regular use of the local nature park where appropriate
- Ensure children are supported to develop confidence, independence, curiosity and resilience
- Oversee safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessments and daily operational standards
- Support staff development through guidance, supervision and reflective practice
- Communicate clearly with parents about children’s progress, wellbeing and experiences
- Maintain accurate records, observations and children’s learning journeys
- Ensure the nursery remains inclusive, nurturing and responsive to children’s individual needs
Skills and Experience
We are looking for someone who has:
- A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above
- Previous experience in a nursery leadership
- Ideally someone who is currently a Deputy Manager looking for the next step
- A strong understanding of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements
- Confidence leading a small team with warmth, clarity and consistency
- A genuine love of outdoor learning and nature-based experiences
- Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills
- A calm, reflective and encouraging approach
- Openness to new ideas, systems and approaches to improving practice
- The ability to build trusting relationships with children, families and colleagues
- A commitment to high-quality, inclusive early years practice
What We Offer
- The opportunity to lead a small, nurturing 21-place nursery and preschool
- A warm, supportive and values-led team environment
- A beautiful village setting with access to a nearby nature park
- Opportunities to work alongside a qualified Early Years Teacher
- Division of work with the Directors to allow you to concentrate on day-to-day nursery operations
- The chance to try out new ideas and shape thoughtful systems within the nursery
- Opportunities for training, development and reflective leadership
- The chance to shape practice in a setting where children can be known deeply
- A role where you can help children build confidence, independence and a meaningful connection with nature
- The opportunity to work closely with the wider Hillside Gems leadership team
Benefits:
- Childcare Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Nursery Manager for a little Nursery employer: Hillside Gems
Hillside Gems is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing and supportive environment for both staff and children at our beautiful Terling nursery. With a focus on outdoor learning and personal relationships, we provide opportunities for professional growth alongside a qualified Early Years Teacher, allowing you to shape meaningful practices in a small, caring setting. Our values-led team culture, combined with benefits like childcare discounts and free parking, makes Hillside Gems a rewarding place to work for those passionate about early years education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager for a little Nursery
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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 Hillside Gems.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
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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 Hillside Gems; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager for a little Nursery
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Hillside Gems 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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Hillside Gems
✨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 Hillside Gems might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
