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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to create a nurturing environment for children aged 0-5.
- Company: Woodlands Day Nursery, an Ofsted-rated 'Good' nursery on a university campus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive community.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to high-quality early years education.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a unique outdoor learning environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare management and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Nursery Manager to lead the day to day operation of our University nursery. You’ll provide strong leadership to our childcare team, ensuring a high quality, nurturing environment for children and a supportive, engaging experience for families. This role is central to driving continued improvement, maintaining high standards of care and education in line with EYFS and Ofsted requirements, and ensuring the nursery runs smoothly, safely, and effectively.
Woodlands Day Nursery is an Ofsted‑rated "Good" nursery providing full day care for children aged 0–5 years, welcoming children of university staff, students and the local community. Located within landscaped surroundings on the University’s Stoke‑on‑Trent campus, Woodlands offers a unique nursery and forest school environment, blending high‑quality early years practice with outdoor learning and exploratory play. The nursery is supported by a highly qualified staff team, with all Early Years Educators qualified to Level 3 or above, and delivers play‑based learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children and families are at the heart of everything we do, and the nursery prides itself on providing a warm, inclusive and forward‑thinking childcare service.
Main Responsibilities
- Oversee the daily running of the nursery, ensuring compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, safeguarding and all statutory regulations.
- Lead, supervise and develop the staff team through effective performance management, training, and mentoring.
- Monitor and enhance the quality of early years provision, including observations, assessment practices, and support for children with SEND.
- Build strong relationships with parents and carers, addressing concerns and encouraging active family participation.
- Manage occupancy, waiting lists and nursery promotion, including tours, events and open days.
- Oversee financial processes such as budgeting, invoicing and fee collection.
- Support strategic planning, service improvement and contribution to Ofsted readiness.
Nursery Manager employer: University of Staffordshire
Contact Detail:
University of Staffordshire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Nursery Manager position or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your love for early years education and how you create nurturing environments. Let them see your enthusiasm for leading a team and making a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on EYFS and Ofsted standards. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles. We want to hear about your strategies for maintaining high-quality care and education!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Woodlands Day Nursery.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through. We want to see how much you care about creating a nurturing environment for children and supporting families.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in nursery management and leadership. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to meet EYFS and Ofsted standards, so be specific about your achievements.
Be Personable: We value strong relationships with parents and carers, so don’t hesitate to share examples of how you’ve built connections in previous roles. A friendly, approachable tone in your application can go a long way!
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Staffordshire
✨Know Your EYFS and Ofsted Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Ofsted requirements. Brush up on the latest guidelines and be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these standards in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you’ve led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you’ve motivated staff, managed performance, or handled challenges. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the childcare team effectively.
✨Engage with Parents and Families
Be ready to talk about how you build relationships with parents and carers. Share your strategies for encouraging family participation and addressing concerns, as this is crucial for creating a supportive nursery environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Think of ways you’ve enhanced early years provision in your previous roles. Discuss your approach to monitoring quality, supporting children with SEND, and any initiatives you’ve led that contributed to service improvement.