Nursery Manager in Portsmouth

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.
• Perform 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.

What the school offers its staff

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.

Commitment to safeguarding: St Paul’s Catholic Primary School and Portsmouth City Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.