Early Years Centre Director (Forest Hill) in Oxford
Early Years Centre Director (Forest Hill)

Early Years Centre Director (Forest Hill) in Oxford

Oxford Full-Time 38700 - 56300 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
N Family Club

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a passionate team to create a nurturing environment for children and families.
  • Company: Join the UK's most innovative early-years education provider, N Family Club.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, flexible working, and up to 35 days holiday.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in early years education while growing your career with our support.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in early years education and a Level 3 qualification.
  • Other info: Vibrant team culture with excellent career progression and personal development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 38700 - 56300 £ per year.

Qualifications, skills, and all relevant experience needed for this role can be found in the full description below.

Join us and enjoy a £1,000 Welcome Bonus with this role! (T&Cs apply)

We’re more than just a nursery group. We’re the UK’s most innovative early-years education provider, proudly certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked the 30th Best Workplace in the UK. At N Family Club, we dreamed of reimagining early years education. Becoming a place that fosters creativity, embraces a curriculum-led approach, and prepares children for the modern world. We’re proudly making our dream a reality – and we want you to be a part of it!

As a Nursery Manager, you’ll lead a passionate team to create a safe, inspiring, and nurturing environment for children and families. You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day running of the nursery, championing the N Curriculum, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead with heart and vision, while growing your career with our support and development pathways.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Leading and managing all aspects of nursery operations, including team deployment/rotas, budgets, and compliance
  • Driving the delivery of our play-based N Curriculum, ensuring every child thrives
  • Developing and inspiring your team through coaching, training, and performance management
  • Building strong partnerships with families and the local community
  • Ensuring the highest standards of health, safety, safeguarding, and Ofsted requirements are met
  • Overseeing smooth daily routines and an engaging, safe learning environment
  • Managing recruitment, inductions, and team retention
  • Monitoring quality and implementing continuous improvement plans
  • Reporting to senior leadership and contributing to wider organisational goals

Our Nursery Managers should have:

  • Proven leadership experience within early years education, ideally in a managerial role (2 years)
  • Level 3 or above Early Years qualification (full & relevant)
  • Paediatric First Aid certification (12 hours) and a commitment to maintain it
  • Up-to-date safeguarding knowledge (or willingness to refresh)
  • Strong organisational and communication skills
  • A genuine passion for early years education and team development
  • Ability to lead by example with positivity, empathy, and professionalism
  • Confidence in managing budgets, team, and operational procedures

The N Advantage:

  • Competitive salary– £44,720 - £63,440, based on experience and dedication
  • Performance bonus of up to 25% of base salary, plus £1,000 for Ofsted ‘Outstanding’
  • Flexible working– Choose 4-5 days a week for work-life balance
  • Up to 35 days holiday- including a personal ‘Me’ day and Christmas closure
  • £100 annual learning fund, plus access to N Academy (level 3, Early Years degrees, Forest School & more)
  • £100 clothing allowance for style freedom!
  • Enhanced family leave for parents, carers, and more
  • 40% childcare discount, plus 6 emergency days annually

And that’s not all!

  • 5-year loyalty bonus- around-the-world trip + 2 bonus weeks off
  • 10-year loyalty bonus- ‘Out of this world’ experience + 2 extra weeks off
  • Referral bonus– earn up to £1,000 per successful hire
  • Amazing discounts– save on groceries, shopping, fitness and more
  • Travel support– season ticket loans and cycle-to-work scheme
  • Socials & wellbeing– annual parties, team events, gym discounts, and online fitness

Why N Forest Hill?

Join our vibrant team at this 92-place nursery in Forest Hill, South East London. Getting here is a breeze! We’re just a short walk from Forest Hill station with direct Overground and National Rail links, plus excellent local bus routes.

Making an impact:

At N Family Club, we do things differently. We support and celebrate individuality, champion diversity, and give every team member a voice. Our culture is rooted in respect, collaboration and a shared passion for early years education. We invest heavily in your growth – from career progression and in-house training to mentorship and personal development. With innovative environments, top-tier benefits, and a focus on wellbeing, we’re building a workplace where educators thrive, and children soar.

Join N Family Club today and help us reshape early education for the better.

What’s next?

If you think you got what it takes, click apply and fill in our super quick (1 min) application form!

If you want to read more about N, our benefits and work culture, visit our website or our Glassdoor Page.

About N Family Club:

We began with a dream. To be the highest quality, and most loved, early years education group in the UK. We imagined a future of early years education that was different. Where a focused, curriculum-led approach would inspire big dreamers and big career movers. Where children are prepared for this ever-changing, modern world and where people come to life when they come to work!

Our Commitment To Safeguarding:

At N, we have a commitment to safeguarding our children and thoughtfully prioritise the safety and well-being of everyone in our nurseries. As part of our commitment to ensuring a secure environment, we diligently adhere to the guidance provided by regulatory bodies. Our dedication to safer recruitment practices is underscored by our compliance with key legislation designed to protect vulnerable individuals. By embracing these laws and legislation, we uphold the highest standards of safety and accountability, fostering a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive.

In line with Safer Recruitment and Keeping Everyone Safe, N Family Club will carry out online searches for all shortlisted candidates including a Google and Social Media search. Any information found from the online searches may be discussed at the interview stage.

Early Years Centre Director (Forest Hill) in Oxford employer: N Family Club

At N Family Club, we pride ourselves on being the UK's most innovative early-years education provider, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates individuality and diversity. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive training opportunities, competitive salaries, and generous benefits, including up to 35 days of holiday and a £1,000 welcome bonus. Join our passionate team in Forest Hill, where you can make a meaningful impact on children's lives while enjoying a supportive and collaborative environment.
N Family Club

Contact Detail:

N Family Club Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Early Years Centre Director (Forest Hill) in Oxford

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out N Family Club's website and social media. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their innovative approach to early years education.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your leadership stories! Think about specific examples from your past experiences where you've led a team or improved a process. Be ready to share these during your interview to demonstrate your skills and passion for early years education.

✨Tip Number 3

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get insider tips about the interview process and what it’s really like to work at N Family Club. This can give you an edge and help you tailor your responses.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.

We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Centre Director (Forest Hill) in Oxford

Leadership Experience
Early Years Qualification (Level 3 or above)
Paediatric First Aid Certification
Safeguarding Knowledge
Organisational Skills
Communication Skills
Team Development
Budget Management
Operational Procedures Management
Coaching and Training
Performance Management
Community Engagement
Health and Safety Standards Compliance
Continuous Improvement Implementation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for early years education and what makes you unique.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Mention specific skills or experiences that relate to leading a nursery and driving educational excellence – we love seeing that!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t hold back on sharing your successes! Whether it’s improving team performance or enhancing the learning environment, we want to know how you’ve made a difference in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s quick and easy, and you’ll get all the info you need about the role and our amazing benefits!

How to prepare for a job interview at N Family Club

✨Know the N Curriculum Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you’re familiar with the N Curriculum and its play-based approach. Think about how you can implement it in your role as a Nursery Manager and be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve done this in the past.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a potential leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you inspire and develop your team, manage performance, and create a positive environment. Use real-life scenarios to illustrate your points.

✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Safeguarding

Given the importance of safeguarding in early years education, be prepared to talk about your knowledge and experience in this area. Highlight any relevant training or certifications you have, and discuss how you ensure a safe environment for children and staff.

✨Engage with the Interviewers

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the nursery’s culture, team dynamics, and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.

Early Years Centre Director (Forest Hill) in Oxford
N Family Club
Location: Oxford
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>