Nursery Manager in Portsmouth

Location – St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Nursery

Salary: BAND 8

Hours: Term Time only – 37 Hours per week – 40 weeks per year

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Nursery Manager to oversee the daily operations of our Nursery. The successful candidate will be responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children, whilst leading a team of childcare professionals. This role requires strong management skills, a passion for early childhood development, and excellent communication abilities to liaise effectively with parents, staff, and external agencies.

Duties

• Manage the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations.
• Lead, motivate, and supervise nursery staff to deliver high-quality learning interactions and continuous provision.
• Develop and implement educational plans that promote children’s development in line with early childhood education standards.
• Foster positive relationships with children and their families, providing support and guidance as needed.
• Organise staff rotas, recruitment, staff CPD and training, and performance management.
• Maintain accurate records of children’s progress, attendance, and any incidents or concerns.
• Ensure the nursery environment is clean, safe, and engaging for children at all times.
• Liaise with external agencies such as local authorities or health professionals to support children’s wellbeing.
• Work in close collaboration with St Paul’s School, SLT and EYFS lead.
• Administrative duties including rotas, transfer records, nursery funding, grants etc alongside using IT platforms such as Tucasi and Tapestry.

Skills

• Proven, extensive management experience within a nursery or childcare setting.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate a team.
• Experience and knowledge of early identification of SEND.
• Extensive knowledge of early childhood education principles and childcare regulations.
• Experience working directly with children and understanding their developmental needs.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.
• Ability to organise schedules effectively whilst maintaining flexibility to meet changing priorities.
• Compassionate approach with a genuine passion for working with children and families.
• Organised with attention to detail to ensure compliance and high standards of care.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a committed professional to lead a nursery environment dedicated to nurturing young minds while fostering professional growth within a supportive team.