At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant nursery, ensuring top-notch care and education for children.
- Company: Join Abacus Ark Nursery, a family-run establishment dedicated to child development.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, 32 days annual leave, and health cashback plan.
- Other info: Access ongoing training, mentorship, and a community-focused workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years Educator required; leadership experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Southfields, SouthEast SW18, United Kingdom
Full-time Temporary Level 3
Posted 29 May 2026
About Us
Abacus Ark Nursery is a family-owned and operated nursery school devoted to the well-being and development of children. Our child-focused team is passionate about delivering the highest quality of care and education. Our nursery offers a vibrant and welcoming environment where children feel safe, loved, and inspired to learn. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Nursery Manager to join our team and make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children! At Abacus, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued and encouraged to grow both personally and professionally.
What You’ll Enjoy
- A 4-Day Work Week: Full-time hours across 4 days, giving you that day off each week to rest, recharge, or pursue personal passions.
- 32 Days Annual Leave: Including 4 personal wellbeing days and 8 bank holidays.
- Medical Cashback Plan: Health Shield plan worth over £1,000 annually, covering everyday health costs like dental, optical, and therapies.
- Training & Development: Ongoing courses in First Aid, Safeguarding, and more—plus access to our self-paced learning platform, Flick.
- Mentorship & Support: Learn from experienced early years educators and receive regular guidance and feedback.
- Mental Health Support: Access to resources and a workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing.
- Paid DBS Check: We cover the cost, so you can focus on what matters.
- Company Pension and Events: Including social activities that help you feel part of a community.
The Nursery Manager is the site leader responsible for delivering outstanding care, education, and operational performance at their nursery. They hold accountability for achieving occupancy, compliance, quality, staff engagement, and financial targets. Looking for a leader of people and a hands-on manager, responsible for compliance with EYFS and Ofsted requirements, curriculum delivery, and creating a culture where staff and children thrive.
Professional Requirements
- Level 3 Early Years Educator (minimum); Level 5 or higher preferred.
- Proven leadership experience in a nursery or early years setting.
- Strong understanding of EYFS, Ofsted, and safeguarding requirements.
- Excellent people management and communication skills.
- Commercial awareness and ability to manage budgets effectively.
Key Responsibilities
- Own all site-level KPIs, including occupancy, revenue, staff ratios, and compliance.
- Execute the monthly performance reviews with the Operations Director, tracking variances and implementing corrective actions.
- Ensure that all staff understand their role‑specific accountabilities and performance expectations.
- Ensure the nursery consistently meets or exceeds Ofsted requirements and Abacus Ark quality standards.
- Lead safeguarding and safer recruitment practices, ensuring compliance with all EYFS requirements.
- Maintain accurate records of attendance, staff ratios, and statutory documentation.
- Recruit, develop, and retain a high performing nursery team, working with the Head of People and Ops Director.
- Lead by example, embedding Abacus Ark’s values (Partnership, Awareness, Creativity, Thrive) in daily operations.
- Deliver regular 1:1s, team meetings, and performance feedback to ensure staff engagement and accountability.
- Work with the Deputy Manager (Curriculum Lead) to ensure curriculum planning meets Abacus Ark’s pedagogical principles.
- Build strong partnerships with parents through open communication, regular updates, and meetings.
- Actively support marketing and sales efforts, including site tours and conversion of enquiries into enrolments.
- Manage the nursery budget, ensuring expenditure stays within agreed limits.
- Monitor and act on weekly and monthly KPIs, including occupancy, staffing costs, and margin.
- Provide accurate site-level reporting to the Operations Director and CFO team.
Success Indicators
- Occupancy growth meets or exceeds site-level targets.
- Ofsted outcomes Good or Outstanding.
- Staff turnover remains below sector benchmark.
- Positive parent NPS and high levels of satisfaction.
- Budget adherence and site profitability achieved.
Company Overview
Our mission is to empower every child with the essential tools they need to thrive from day one of school and to discover the joy of learning. We are dedicated to nurturing their Focus, Independence, Resilience, Social Understanding, and Trustworthiness, alongside introducing language, mathematics, and a wider understanding of the world. We seek to ensure children are not only ready to learn but also to shine. We believe in the boundless potential of every child and strive to ignite their passion for learning, helping them grow into confident, capable, and compassionate individuals.
Nursery Manager (Southfields) in London employer: RGIT Australia
Abacus Ark Nursery is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its team members. With a supportive work culture, a 4-day work week, generous annual leave, and comprehensive training opportunities, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Southfields, our nursery offers a vibrant environment where staff can make a meaningful impact on children's lives while enjoying a strong sense of community and support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager (Southfields) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Nursery Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your interview game on point! Research common questions for nursery management roles and practice your responses. We want you to showcase your leadership skills and understanding of EYFS and Ofsted requirements with confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for child development! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children's learning and wellbeing in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our Abacus Ark family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager (Southfields) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! We want to see how much you care about nurturing and developing young minds.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that match the Nursery Manager role. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values and the specific requirements of the job.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences are easy to spot!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at RGIT Australia
✨Know Your EYFS and Ofsted Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Ofsted requirements. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these in your previous roles, as this will show your understanding of the standards expected at Abacus Ark Nursery.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in a nursery setting. Think about times when you've successfully managed a team, improved staff engagement, or dealt with challenges. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and inspire others.
✨Emphasise Your People Management Skills
Communication is key in this role, so be ready to talk about how you build relationships with staff, children, and parents. Share specific instances where your communication skills have led to positive outcomes, such as resolving conflicts or enhancing parent partnerships.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Budget Management
Since managing the nursery budget is part of the job, prepare to discuss your experience with financial management. Bring examples of how you've effectively managed budgets in the past, ensuring compliance while achieving financial targets.
