Whether you’re a Development Nursery Manager, Deputy, Room Manager, or Educator, your purpose is the same: to help every nursery be the best it can be. Through mentoring, modelling best practice, and providing practical support, the team drives improvement, nurtures excellence, and ensures children and families consistently experience the highest standards of care and education.
- Provide targeted leadership and support to nurseries on a development journey, working closely with Nursery Manager and senior teams to strengthen leadership, raise standards, and embed best practice.
- Step in as ‘Manager in Charge’ when required to maintain operational stability, ensure compliance, and uphold exceptionally high standards across all areas.
- Drive educational excellence by embedding the N Pedagogy and Curriculum, supporting teams to deliver outstanding teaching and learning consistently.
- Lead and support self-evaluation and action planning, ensuring follow-up on priorities identified through Education Advisor guidance, audits, and inspections.
- Promote a strong ‘Safety First’ culture, ensuring daily health and safety checks, risk assessments, and compliance actions are completed promptly and effectively.
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead when required, ensuring safeguarding and child protection practices are robust, well-understood, and consistently applied.
- Coach, mentor, and develop nursery teams, building confidence, professional pride, and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Support recruitment, retention, and professional development to ensure teams are skilled, motivated, and capable of delivering excellence.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with parents and the wider community, fostering trust, engagement, and partnership in line with N Family Club values.
- Participate in regular development meetings and calls to review nursery performance, track progress, and support action planning.
- Work collaboratively with the Development Team to implement focused improvement initiatives and ensure sustainable impact.
- Provide flexible support across multiple nurseries where required, maintaining consistent leadership, guidance, and standards.
- Travel across the nursery network as needed, including flexibility for varying work patterns and occasional overnight stays.
- Level 3 or above Early Years qualification (full & relevant)
- Paediatric First Aid certification (12 hours) and a commitment to maintain it
- Proven experience as a Nursery Manager or senior leader in a high-performing, Good, or Outstanding nursery, demonstrating the ability to achieve and maintain exceptional standards.
- Experience leading nurseries requiring targeted improvement or supporting significant development initiatives, with a track record of driving sustainable change.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve ambitious goals in complex or evolving environments.
- Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and developing teams to deliver consistently high-quality education and care.
- A rigorous, structured, and highly organised approach to managing operations, supporting improvement, and embedding best practice.
- Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to support and drive change effectively across teams and nurseries.
- In-depth knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted requirements, local authority regulations, and inspection processes across the UK, with the ability to ensure full compliance at all times.
- Experienced in using ICT systems and performance data to inform decisions, track progress, and monitor improvement initiatives.
- Experience supporting multiple nursery settings or providing development input across sites is desirable.
- Competitive salary – £45,926 - £65,354, based on experience and dedication (plus £3k car allowance)
- 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
- 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
What's next?
If you want to read more about N, our benefits and work culture, visit our Careers website or our Glassdoor Page.
Development Nursery Manager employer: N Family Club
N Family Club in Guildford offers a nurturing environment where you can kickstart your career in early years education. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive training and support as you work towards your Early Years Apprenticeship, all while being part of a vibrant team that values passion and positivity. Join us to make a meaningful impact in children's lives while enjoying a culture of continuous learning and development.