Area Manager

Operations Manager – Multi-Site Early Years Provision (Maternity Contract with Potential to Become Permanent) Location: Wimbledon (overseeing 3 nurseries) Hours: 4 days per week, 30–40 hours Salary: £45,000–£50,000 per annum Contract: Maternity cover, all-year-round, with the possibility of becoming permanent We are seeking a skilled and motivated Operations Manager to oversee three nurseries in the Wimbledon area. This position is offered as a maternity contract, with a strong possibility of becoming a permanent role for the right candidate as our organisation continues to grow. About the Role You will provide hands-on operational leadership across all three sites, supporting managers, developing staff, and ensuring consistently high standards of care, education, and compliance. This is a varied and rewarding role for a confident leader who enjoys working closely with teams and driving quality across multiple settings. Key Responsibilities * Oversee daily operations and quality across three nurseries * Serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for all settings * Spend time at each site, offering hands-on support * Lead, train, and mentor staff teams across the nurseries * Organise INSET days, staff training, and parent events * Support curriculum planning * Ensure compliance with EYFS, safeguarding, and Ofsted requirements * Contribute to organisational development, including upcoming new settings * Build strong and positive relationships with parents, staff, and external partners About You * Minimum 2 years’ experience managing early years settings * Strong knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, and operational standards * Confident leadership skills with a supportive, collaborative approach * Excellent communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills * Able to work flexibly across three Wimbledon-based nurseries What We Offer * Competitive salary of up to £50,000 * 4-day working week, 30–40 hours per week * All-year-round role with Christmas closure + bank holidays * Supportive team culture and strong leadership infrastructure * Opportunity to influence and develop multiple high-quality early years settings * Maternity contract with genuine potential to transition to a permanent post If you’re a passionate and experienced early years leader ready for a multi-site role with room for long-term progression, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and make a meaningful impact across our nurseries