At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nurturing nursery and after school clubs, ensuring high-quality care and education.
- Company: Shenfield Day Nursery, a welcoming environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
- Benefits: Generous salary, annual leave, childcare discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive team culture with excellent career progression and wellbeing programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in early years leadership and Level 3 qualification in Early Years required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 41000 € per year.
Shenfield Day Nursery is a welcoming 48-place nursery caring for children from 3 months to 5 years old. We are proud of our nurturing, family-feel environment where children are supported to learn, grow and thrive. Alongside our nursery, we also run two Breakfast and After School Clubs in partnership with St. Mary's C of E Primary School and Mountnessing C of E Primary School. We believe in creating safe, happy and inspiring spaces for children across all our settings.
We are looking for a warm, confident and inspiring Nursery Manager to lead our nursery and oversee our wraparound care provision. You will play a key role as the Ofsted named person, supporting high-quality care and education every day. You’ll be supported by a friendly Deputy Manager, BASC Manager and a knowledgeable Senior Management Team — so you’re never on your own. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who loves being both “on the floor” with children and staff, while also leading the bigger picture.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading the Nursery & Clubs
- Overseeing the daily running of the nursery and after school clubs
- Supporting and guiding the BASC Manager
- Leading a passionate team and helping everyone do their best
- Keeping standards high and ensuring a happy, safe environment
- Working closely with families and building strong relationships
- Children & Learning
- Supporting a rich, engaging EYFS curriculum
- Making sure children are safe, happy and developing well
- Helping staff create fun, stimulating learning environments
- Keeping strong communication with parents and carers
- Safeguarding & Safety
- Acting as Safeguarding Lead (or willing to train)
- Making sure children’s welfare is always the top priority
- Keeping the nursery safe, clean and compliant
- Ensuring policies and procedures are followed by everyone
- Supporting Your Team
- Welcoming and inducting new staff
- Coaching, mentoring and supporting development
- Running team meetings and encouraging open communication
- Promoting a positive, supportive working culture
- Helping staff grow in confidence and skills
- Running the Nursery Day-to-Day
- Supporting occupancy and overall nursery performance
- Working with budgets and helping the setting run smoothly
- Handling parent queries and feedback with care and professionalism
- Completing show arounds for new families
- Keeping paperwork, systems and records up to date
- Working with our nursery cook to maintain great nutrition standards
- Breakfast & After School Clubs
- Working closely with the BASC Manager
- Visiting clubs regularly and ensuring quality is consistent
- Making sure policies, safety and practice remain strong
About You
- Kind, approachable and a natural leader
- Experienced in early years (nursery leadership experience essential)
- Level 3 qualified in Early Years (Degree desirable)
- A minimum of Maths Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent)
- Confident in EYFS and safeguarding (or willing to train as DSL)
- Great with people — children, staff and parents
- Organised, calm and able to juggle priorities
- Comfortable with budgets, occupancy and basic data
- Passionate about giving children the best start in life
Desirable (but not essential)
- Paediatric First Aid
- Food Hygiene Level 2
- Safer Recruitment training
- Degree in Early Childhood Studies
What We Offer
- A supportive and approachable Senior Leadership Team
- A strong operational support structure behind you
- Time to be visible on the floor, not just in the office
- A friendly, established setting with a great reputation
- Opportunities for training and professional growth
Staff Benefits
- Generous Childcare discount (subject to availability)
- On-site parking and uniform provided
- An Extensive wellbeing programme including counselling services, exercise classes, and podcasts
- Continuing Professional Development opportunities
- Excellent career & progression opportunities
- A calendar of award nights and staff social events
- Staff finders reward
- Longevity service linked to additional holiday
If you’re passionate about early years and ready to lead a warm, welcoming nursery where children and staff thrive, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV along with a short covering letter telling us a little about yourself, your previous experience, and why this role feels right for you.
Nursery Manager in Brentwood employer: Shenfield Day Nursery
Shenfield Day Nursery offers a nurturing and supportive environment for both children and staff, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about early years education. With a strong focus on professional development, generous annual leave, and a friendly team culture, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles. Located in the heart of Shenfield, Essex, the nursery provides a welcoming atmosphere where meaningful relationships with families and colleagues are fostered, ensuring a fulfilling work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager in Brentwood
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's vibe! Before your interview, visit Shenfield Day Nursery if you can. Observe how the staff interact with the children and each other. This will help you tailor your answers to show you're a perfect fit for their warm, family-feel environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams in the past. Talk about how you’ve supported staff development and created a positive culture, as this is key for the Nursery Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Communicate your passion for early years education! During your interview, express why you love working with children and how you plan to create engaging learning environments. This will resonate well with the team at Shenfield.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show your interest by asking about their approach to safeguarding or how they support staff wellbeing. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager in Brentwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Personal Covering Letter:When writing your covering letter, make it personal! Share a bit about yourself and why you’re excited about this role. We want to see your passion for early years education shine through.
Highlight Your Leadership Experience:Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! Talk about your experience in managing teams and how you’ve collaborated with others in previous roles. We love a natural leader who can inspire their team!
Show Your Vision for the Nursery:We’re keen to hear your vision for high-quality early years education. Describe the kind of environment you’d create and the experiences you’d want for the children. This is your chance to impress us with your ideas!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your CV and covering letter clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Remember, we’re looking for someone organised and calm, so let that reflect in your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shenfield Day Nursery
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and safeguarding practices. Brush up on your knowledge about child development and how to create engaging learning environments, as these are key topics that will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your approach to leadership and team management. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or improved a nursery setting. This is your chance to showcase how you can inspire and support your staff while maintaining high standards.
✨Connect with Their Values
Research Shenfield Day Nursery’s ethos and values. Be prepared to explain why you’re drawn to their nurturing environment and how your vision aligns with theirs. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you genuinely want to be part of their community.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have a few insightful questions ready to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about their approach to professional development or how they support staff wellbeing. It demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
