At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage local authority nurseries, ensuring high-quality early learning experiences.
- Company: Join Moray Council and make a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in early years education and leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 46502 - 46502 € per year.
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
Nursery Manager (Keith & St Thomas) - MOR11799 employer: Moray Council
Moray Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the development of its staff and the well-being of children and families in the community. As a Nursery Manager, you will benefit from opportunities for professional growth while working in a collaborative environment that values innovation and quality in early years education. With a focus on community engagement and adherence to high standards, this role provides a meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of children across Moray.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager (Keith & St Thomas) - MOR11799
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector, attend local events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the nurseries you're applying to. Understand their values, curriculum, and community involvement. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience in managing teams and improving service delivery. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've positively impacted children's learning and wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager (Keith & St Thomas) - MOR11799
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can lead and manage nurseries effectively, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through in your written application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in children's lives, so share your motivation and commitment to quality childcare.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Moray Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Curriculum for Excellence and the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC). Brush up on the latest early years initiatives and be ready to discuss how you can implement these in the nursery setting.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff, managed conflicts, or improved service delivery. This will demonstrate your capability to lead one or more teams effectively.
✨Engage with Parents and Carers
Be ready to talk about your experience involving parents and carers in their children's learning. Share strategies you've used to enhance parental engagement and how you’ve secured positive outcomes for children through collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Quality
Discuss your experience with self-evaluation and quality assurance standards. Be prepared to explain how you’ve implemented improvements in previous roles and how you plan to maintain high-quality provision in the nurseries.
