At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant nursery, ensuring quality early years education and compliance.
- Company: A well-established nursery with a supportive and engaging environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, discounted childcare, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a fulfilling career.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and recent management experience required.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy in a purpose-built setting with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 £ per year.
This nursery operates from a beautifully designed, purpose-built setting with age-dedicated playrooms and a large outdoor space used daily across all rooms. As Nursery Manager, you will oversee day-to-day delivery across the setting, balancing regulatory oversight, staff management, and practical involvement in the learning environment.
Before You Apply
- This role requires recent experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager in a full-day care setting.
- Applicants must be confident leading inspections, managing staff performance, and maintaining Ofsted compliance.
- This position is not suitable for candidates without a recognised Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
Key Job Details
- Salary: Up to £40,000 per year
- Hours: 40 hours per week
- Contract: Full-time, permanent
- Ofsted rating: Good
Why This Role Is Worth Considering
- Well-established nursery with consistent occupancy and stable staffing structure
- Purpose-built indoor environment with age-specific rooms and defined learning zones
- Large outdoor area used daily to support physical development and nature-based play
- Clear operational structure with autonomy over staffing, routines, and quality standards
- Benefits package including pension, discounted childcare, enhanced parental leave, wellbeing support, and birthday leave
What You’ll Need
- Level 3 qualification or above in Early Years (or equivalent recognised qualification)
- Recent experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager in an early years setting
- Proven track record of managing Ofsted inspections and maintaining compliance
- Strong working knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, and early years legislation
- Confidence managing teams, staffing challenges, and operational priorities
What You’ll Do
- Lead the daily operation of the nursery, ensuring consistent delivery of the EYFS
- Maintain Ofsted compliance, readiness, and ongoing quality improvement
- Manage staffing levels, rotas, recruitment, supervision, and performance reviews
- Oversee safeguarding, health and safety, and statutory documentation
- Work closely with room leaders to monitor practice, ratios, and outcomes
- Act as the main point of contact for parents, inspectors, and external professionals
What Happens After You Apply
Applications are reviewed against essential criteria before shortlisting. Suitable candidates will be contacted for an initial conversation, followed by a formal interview process.
Nursery Manager employer: WILLING CARE RECRUITMENT LIMITED
Contact Detail:
WILLING CARE RECRUITMENT LIMITED Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery inside out! Before your interview, visit the setting if possible. Familiarise yourself with their ethos, environment, and any recent Ofsted reports. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about your past experiences managing teams and leading inspections. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. It’ll help you showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your passion for early years education! Share specific examples of how you’ve positively impacted children’s learning and development. This will resonate well with the interviewers and show you’re the right fit for their nursery.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your recent experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager. We want to see how you've led inspections and managed staff performance, so don’t hold back on those details!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application to the job description. Use keywords from the listing, like 'Ofsted compliance' and 'EYFS', to show us you’re the perfect fit for our nursery.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at WILLING CARE RECRUITMENT LIMITED
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted requirements. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the regulations but also passionate about maintaining high standards in early years education.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced, how you handled them, and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to lead effectively and manage staff performance, which is crucial for the Nursery Manager role.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don't just wait for questions; engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their vision for the nursery and how they see the role of the Nursery Manager evolving. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the position and willing to contribute to the nursery's success.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential situations you might face as a Nursery Manager, such as handling a staffing issue or ensuring compliance during an inspection, and prepare your responses. This will help you demonstrate your practical experience and readiness for the role.