Nursery Area Manager

We are recruiting for a Nursery Area Manager URGENTLY.

About The Nursery

We are a family. Founded with a deep love for nurturing young children, our family-run business has grown alongside our own children, expanding to five thriving locations across Dorset and Devon. We believe a child’s early years lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and happiness. That’s why we create warm, loving environments where every child feels safe, valued and encouraged to explore the world around them.

Summary

We are seeking an Area Manager to join our management team in Plymouth. The Area Manager will oversee the operational excellence, compliance, and leadership of a group. This role ensures that each setting upholds the highest standards of education, care, and practice while meeting regulatory and business performance goals. For this role, we are ideally seeking a candidate looking for 4 days, 38 hours a week.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership:

• Oversee day-to-day operations across 2 nurseries initially, ensuring smooth and compliant delivery of the EYFS.
• Conduct regular site visits, audits, and inspections to monitor quality, staffing, and compliance.
• Support Nursery Managers with action plans following internal reviews, Ofsted inspections, or funding audits.
• Ensure occupancy levels, staff ratios, and resources are managed efficiently.

• Line manage and mentor Nursery Managers, supporting leadership development and effective team performance.
• Oversee recruitment and retention strategies in collaboration with HR.
• Lead on performance management, including appraisals, supervision, and capability processes where needed.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and motivated culture across all settings.

• Ensure all nurseries meet or exceed Ofsted and local authority standards.
• Monitor health & safety, safeguarding, and statutory requirements, maintaining up-to-date records and reporting systems.
• Liaise with external agencies, local authorities, and parents when required.
• Maintain high-quality environments reflective of our ethos and principles.

• Work with the Directors and Finance team to monitor budgets, fee income, and expenditure across sites.
• Contribute to setting occupancy and revenue targets and support managers in achieving them.
• Monitor staff scheduling and resource allocation for cost efficiency.

• Attend termly Director meetings to provide operational updates and improvement plans.
• Cascade company communications effectively to all managers and staff.
• Collaborate with Marketing, HR, and Training teams to support growth and development across the business.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification (Level 5+ desirable).
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Proven experience managing multiple settings or large teams within Early Years.
• Excellent leadership, organisational, and people management skills.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and compliance.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel between settings/ cover in the absence of a manager.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a family-run or growing multi-site organisation.
• Strong business acumen with confidence in budgets, occupancy, and recruitment planning.

Values & Culture Fit:

• Passionate about early childcare and education and nurturing environments for children and staff.
• Calm, solution-focused, and professional under pressure.
• Able to balance care, compliance, and commercial thinking.
• Committed to growth, collaboration, and long-term impact.