At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a nursery, ensuring high standards of care and education for children.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Spring the Hollies, dedicated to nurturing young minds.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, childcare discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace, encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Childcare and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 38000 £ per year.
Location: Taunton
Salary: Up to £38,000 per annum
Contract/Hours: Permanent Full Time – 40 hours a week.
Closing date: Midnight on the 29th of May 2026
Benefits
- Time off to recharge – 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Treat yourself – Staff discounts portal and blue light card with 15,000+ retailers
- Childcare Discount – A whopping 60% off childcare within our nurseries and out of school clubs
- Up to 3 Days Dependency Leave – to care for dependents in an emergency.
- Paid maternity, adoption, and paternity leave
- Gain professional qualifications – with excellent training/development opportunities.
- Salary Finance – access to financial advice and the ability to manage savings or loans directly from your salary.
- Secure your future – Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
About the role
As Nursery Manager at Spring the Hollies, you’ll be the driving force behind the smooth and successful running of the nursery. You’ll lead by example, inspiring your team to deliver the highest standards of care, education, and play for every child. You will take overall responsibility for the day‑to‑day operations of the setting ensuring that the nursery runs efficiently, safely, and in line with regulatory and organisational standards. This includes overseeing curriculum delivery, staffing, financial management, and compliance with Ofsted and EYFS requirements. Your leadership will be central to maintaining a positive, nurturing culture where staff feel valued, supported, and motivated to achieve their best. You'll provide ongoing coaching and professional development for your team, encourage reflective practice and continuous improvement across all areas. Building strong relationships is a key part of the managerial role whether this is welcoming new families, working closely with parents and carers to support their child's development, or engaging with external agencies and professionals. You'll have a keen eye for quality and detail, ensuring that every aspect of the nursery environment from safeguarding and health and safety to learning outcomes and room presentation meets the highest standards.
Responsibilities
- Actively engage in marketing and advertising to develop an excellent reputation for the nursery.
- Support the development of an innovative approach to children's learning and play that is demonstrated by teams working well together within the setting.
- Undertake the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Registered Manager role in relation to Ofsted registration.
- Oversee the recording and reporting of planning, observation and progression for all children, including a full and thorough assessment of the setting against the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
Qualifications
- Minimum level 3 qualification in Childcare or Early Years.
- Leadership and management experience in a childcare setting.
- Experience of working in a senior role within a nursery setting or centre, working with children aged 0 to 5 years and their families.
- Ability to lead a staff team, including supervision, work allocation, assessment or training and professional development.
- Knowledge and understanding of the EYFS, Ofsted requirements and relevant current legislation.
- Understanding of child protection processes, safeguarding, and working with vulnerable children.
- Commitment to inclusive and non‑discriminatory working practice with children, families, colleagues, and the community.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
At Spring, we’re dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under‑represented within the organisation. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups. Male staff are often under‑represented within this sector, and we would like to encourage more male applicants for our roles. We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users; therefore, all applicants are expected to have an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding best practice.
Contact
If you need support with your application, please contact our Recruitment Team at RecruitmentService@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13129.
Nursery Manager in Taunton employer: Spring Nurseries by Action for Children
At Spring the Hollies, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 28 days of annual leave, substantial childcare discounts, and access to training opportunities, we empower our Nursery Managers to lead with confidence and inspire their teams. Located in Taunton, our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every staff member feels valued and supported, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Spring Nurseries by Action for Children Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Nursery Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the nursery and its values. We recommend practising common interview questions and thinking about how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that job! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to the hiring team. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining a fantastic organisation dedicated to nurturing young minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Nursery Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted requirements, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! Share specific examples of how you've inspired teams or improved children's learning experiences in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Ofsted requirements. Brush up on your knowledge of child protection processes and safeguarding, as these are crucial for the Nursery Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a childcare setting. Think about times when you’ve inspired your staff or implemented innovative approaches to children's learning and play. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Engage with the Community
Be ready to discuss how you would build strong relationships with families and external agencies. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve successfully engaged with parents or worked collaboratively with other professionals to support children’s development.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about your commitment to ongoing professional development, both for yourself and your team. Share any strategies you’ve used to encourage reflective practice and continuous improvement in previous roles, as this aligns perfectly with the nursery's values.