Nursery Manager (Keith & St Thomas) - MOR11799

Leadership and management of minimum one and maximum three local authority nurseries, for the benefit of children, families and the wider community.

To promote and develop the nursery(ies) to ensure the highest quality of provision for children and families.

To be responsible for the operational management of the nursery facilities and staff to deliver a high quality early learning and childcare experience.

To assist with the development of a new Service Delivery Model for Early Years across Moray.

Requirements

This post is considered to be a 'Regulated Role' under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Under the Act, it is a legal requirement for an individual undertaking a regulated role with children or protected adults to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. The successful candidate will therefore be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to any formal offer of employment being made by Moray Council.

Responsibilities

• To lead one or more staff teams in all matters relating to service delivery and to take responsibility for the recruitment, selection, induction and management of staff.
• To provide day to day monitoring of resources and budgets for each nursery, including the maximisation of nursery capacity.
• To lead and manage the delivery of the Early Years curriculum in line with national initiatives, ensuring a high quality service for all service users.
• To ensure operational activities and curriculum delivery meets the quality assurance standards of governing bodies, including Education Scotland, SSSC, Care Inspectorate and Moray Council quality standards.
• To lead self-evaluation and implement agreed improvements within each nursery.
• To manage all aspects of care and wellbeing, which meets the needs of individual children in line with the Council's policies, including Child Protection and the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).
• To involve parents and carers in their child's learning, and to take a lead on delivering parental engagement and family learning in order to secure positive outcomes for children.
• To develop and maintain effective collaborations with staff, children, parents/carers and key partner agencies fostering a culture based on openness and trust.
• To take a lead role and ensure compliance with Council Policy and Procedures.

The Individual

• Recent/Current experience of working in a senior role within an early learning and childcare establishment.
• Experience of improvement and curricular planning, self-evaluation and sharing information.
• Experience of monitoring children's progress and feeding back to parents/carers.
• Experience of working with vulnerable children and their families, including those with additional support needs.
• Experience of partnership working.
• Experience of leading a team.
• Hold a SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 7 or HNC Childhood Practice or equivalent.
• Hold or be working towards: BA (Hons) Childhood Practice or SQA Professional Development Award Childhood Practice or Postgraduate Diploma/ Graduate Diploma in Childhood Practice or Master of Education Childhood Practice.
• SSSC or GTCS Registered.
• Effective communication and organisational skills.
• Self confidence.
• Ability to motivate and lead a small team.
• Ability to prioritise.
• Ability to work in a professional manner.
• Extensive knowledge of Curriculum for Excellence from an Early Years perspective.
• Knowledge of statutory requirements and legislation e.g. Child Protection, GIRFEC, National Care Standards as applicable to Early Years settings.
• Effective oral and written communication with line manager, parents, children and support agencies.
• Ability to present written information e.g. reports, in a clear, consistent form.
• Appreciation, acceptance of and commitment to the importance of confidentiality.
• You will be expected to travel efficiently and effectively between various work locations within Moray to meet the operational requirements of the service. Due to the rural nature of Moray this is normally undertaken by use of a car.
• Ability to listen to others and respond to their needs.
• Ability to lead, motivate and encourage the development of a successful team.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to establish, develop and maintain positive working relationships across all levels.
• Ability to be actively involved with the children in all aspects of their pre-school experience.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs and demands of the service.

Closing Date: 22 May 2026

Starting Salary: £46502.95 (pro rata) £24.67 per hour 36.25 hours per week (47.15 weeks per year)

For further information, contact Gilli Hearns - 07966 299839