Nursery Manager

Nursery Manager - Lead, Inspire & Grow With Us!

Kiddies Playhouse, The Chuckery, Walsall

Full-Time | Permanent | Competitive Salary + Occupancy-Related Manager's Bonus | Ofsted Strong Good Nursery

An Exciting Opportunity to Lead a Thriving Nursery!

Are you an experienced, passionate and ambitious early years leader looking for your next opportunity?

Following our strong Ofsted 'Good' inspection outcome in June 2026,

Kiddies Playhouse is looking for a passionate Nursery Manager to lead our wonderful nursery, inspire our team and help shape the next chapter of our journey.

We are a well-established, independently owned nursery in the heart of Walsall, providing a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to explore, learn and thrive.

We are incredibly proud to have achieved a strong 'Good' outcome in our June 2026 Ofsted inspection, reflecting the dedication of our team and our commitment to providing high-quality early years education and care.

But we are not stopping there!

We have exciting ambitions for the future and are looking for a motivated, forward-thinking Nursery Manager who shares our passion for excellence and can help us build on our success.

This is more than just another Nursery Manager position. It is an opportunity to take ownership of an established setting, bring fresh ideas to life and make a lasting difference to children, families and colleagues.

Why Join Kiddies Playhouse?

We understand that great nurseries are built by great people, and we believe exceptional leadership deserves to be recognised and rewarded.

Here's what makes this opportunity special:

• An Ofsted-rated 'Good' nursery – Join an established setting with a strong foundation and exciting opportunities for further improvement.
• Occupancy-Related Manager's Bonus – We recognise and reward strong leadership, nursery performance and achievement of agreed objectives.
• A Supportive and Approachable Director – Work closely with a Director who values your expertise, welcomes ideas and is committed to investing in the nursery's future.
• Genuine Leadership Autonomy – Have the freedom to manage your team, introduce improvements and make a real impact on the nursery's development.
• An Established Team – Lead and develop a team of early years professionals who are passionate about the children in their care.
• Professional Development – Opportunities for continued learning, training and leadership development.
• An Opportunity to Make Your Mark – Play a key role in shaping the nursery's culture, standards, reputation and future success.
• Company Pension and On-Site Parking.

We want our Nursery Manager to feel empowered, valued and proud of the setting they lead.

The Role – Your Opportunity to Make a Difference

As Nursery Manager, you will be at the heart of everything we do.

Working closely with the Nursery Director, you will have responsibility for the day-to-day leadership, management and successful operation of the nursery.

You will be trusted to lead with confidence, make sound decisions and create a positive culture where children flourish, staff feel supported and families have complete confidence in the care we provide.

Your Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, inspire and motivate the nursery team to deliver outstanding experiences for children.
• Foster a positive, professional and supportive working environment where staff feel valued and accountable.
• Provide effective coaching, mentoring, supervision and performance management.
• Identify opportunities to develop staff skills, confidence and professional practice.
• Lead recruitment, induction and staff development to build a strong, reliable and high-performing team.

Quality of Education & Safeguarding

• Champion high-quality early years education and ensure the EYFS is embedded throughout the nursery.
• Maintain excellent safeguarding standards and a strong culture of child protection.
• Ensure the nursery consistently meets all statutory, regulatory and Ofsted requirements.
• Monitor children's learning, development and wellbeing, promoting inclusive and ambitious outcomes for every child.
• Drive continuous improvement, building upon our successful Ofsted inspection outcome.
• Ensure the nursery remains safe, welcoming, stimulating and exceptionally well organised.

Nursery Operations & Performance

• Take ownership of the smooth and effective day-to-day operation of the nursery.
• Manage staffing, rotas, deployment, ratios and resources efficiently.
• Maintain high standards of compliance, record keeping, health and safety and operational organisation.
• Monitor nursery occupancy and work with the Director to support sustainable growth.
• Contribute to effective budget management and operational decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and the overall nursery experience.

Parents, Partnerships & Growth

• Build strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers.
• Ensure families receive excellent communication and customer care.
• Develop positive relationships with schools, the local authority and wider community.
• Support marketing initiatives, nursery events and opportunities to increase occupancy.
• Act as a positive ambassador for Kiddies Playhouse, strengthening our reputation within the local community.

Who Are We Looking For?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, confident and capable leader who genuinely loves early years education but also understands what it takes to run a successful nursery.

You will be someone who leads by example, takes pride in high standards and enjoys helping others reach their potential.

You will bring warmth, professionalism, enthusiasm and the ability to make confident decisions, even in challenging situations.

Essential Requirements

• A full and relevant Level 3 qualification in Early Years or Childcare as a minimum.
• Substantial experience working within an early years setting.
• Previous experience in a Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager or comparable senior leadership role.
• Excellent knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements.
• Strong experience of leading, developing and managing staff.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Confidence managing nursery operations, staff deployment and compliance.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach with high professional standards.
• A genuine passion for providing the very best outcomes for children.

Desirable

• Level 5 or Level 6 qualification in Early Years, Childcare or Leadership and Management.
• Previous experience as a Nursery Manager.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead experience.
• Experience of Ofsted inspections and nursery improvement planning.
• Experience managing nursery occupancy, budgets and business performance.
• SENCO experience or relevant SEND training.

We welcome applications from experienced Nursery Managers and exceptional Deputy Managers who are ready to take the next step in their career.

A Role Where Your Success Is Rewarded

We believe that strong leadership plays a vital role in the success of a nursery.

That is why we offer a occupancy-related Manager's Bonus, providing the opportunity to be financially rewarded for your contribution to the nursery's success.

Our bonus scheme is designed to recognise achievements in areas such as quality, leadership, occupancy, operational performance and continuous improvement.

Alongside this, you will have the opportunity to work closely with the Director, contribute ideas and play a meaningful role in the nursery's long-term development.

Ready to Lead the Next Chapter of Kiddies Playhouse?

If you are looking for a Nursery Manager role where your experience is valued, your ideas are welcomed and your hard work can make a genuine difference, we would love to hear from you.

Join us and help build on our success as we continue striving to provide the very best start in life for every child.

Apply today with your CV and a brief introduction outlining your leadership experience and why you would be a great fit for Kiddies Playhouse.

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities

Kiddies Playhouse is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be subject to safer recruitment procedures, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, identity and qualification verification, right-to-work checks and other relevant suitability checks.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.

Pay: From £31,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme

Work Location: In person