Nursery Manager

Full-time | £36,000 to £39,000 per annum | Tattenhall, Cheshire

Start date: November 2026 | Nursery opens January 2027

Applications close: October 2026 | Interviews: October | Appointment expected by the end of November.

Little Oaks is an exciting new independent day nursery opening in Tattenhall in January 2027, with 37 places for children aged 0 to 5. We are looking for an experienced Nursery Manager to join us and be part of this journey with us from the very beginning. You will have genuine influence over how Little Oaks operates from day one.

Nature and the outdoors are at the heart of our nursery and shape our philosophy. We believe children thrive when they are trusted to follow their curiosity, given the freedom to learn through nature and play, and supported by adults who genuinely understand child development.

Little Oaks will be a small setting set up so that practitioners have time to be properly present and ensure that the children are getting the best possible care.

Starting two months before we open means you will be on this journey with us to help shape the routines, the environment and the culture of the team. You will help lead the nursery through Ofsted registration and have a huge impact on the Nursery's first year of opening.

The role

Working closely with Elizabeth, the owner, you will:

• Lead the nursery day to day and hold responsibility for quality of practice across all three rooms.
• Recruit, supervise and develop the team, including coaching and CPD.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Deploy staff to meet ratios while protecting the quality of interactions with children.
• Oversee EYFS delivery through our nature-led approach.
• Own nursery compliance, safeguarding, Ofsted readiness and day-to-day operational performance.
• Build occupancy and our profile in the local community.
• Work in partnership with parents, keeping communication open and honest.

This is a hands-on role. You will spend regular time in rooms alongside your team as we believe that the only way you truly know how things are working is to be part of it.

What we are looking for

Essential

• An approved Level 3 Early Years qualification or above, meeting current DfE requirements.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge, ideally with experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• At least two years' experience working in an early year's setting, with substantial leadership responsibility.
• Either experience as a Nursery Manager or strong Deputy Manager experience with clear evidence that you are ready to lead a setting.
• Suitable Level 2 maths qualification in line with EYFS requirements.
• Current, confident knowledge of the EYFS and the changes that are being implemented in September 2026, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements
• Experience of supervising, coaching and developing early-years practitioners.
• Strong understanding of child development, curriculum and high-quality early-years practice.
• Good understanding of SEND and inclusive practice, including identifying emerging needs, working with parents and external professionals, and supporting staff to adapt provision for individual children.
• Strong communication, organisation and people management skills

We want someone with a clear view of what excellent early-years practice looks like, who is confident enough to challenge us and the team when they believe something can be better.

Desirable

• Level 4 or 5 Leadership and Management qualification.
• Previous experience managing an Ofsted-registered nursery.
• Experience of an Ofsted inspection or registration process.
• Safer Recruitment training.
• Paediatric First Aid certification
• SENCo experience or qualification.
• Experience recruiting and building a new team.
• Experience managing occupancy, budgets and nursery-management systems.

What we offer

Time off 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a paid Christmas closure. Depending on how the bank holidays fall, this provides around 37 paid days away from work each year. We are deliberately generous, because we want people who are well rested and fully engaged when they are here.

• 50% discount on childcare fees for your own children
• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Enhanced DBS and all required training paid for
• A budget for your own professional development

Safeguarding

Little Oaks Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and safeguarding requirements.

How to apply

Send your CV. We are happy to arrange an informal conversation beforehand if that would help and arrangements can be made for you to see the nursery and the vision that Elizabeth (owner) has for it.

Pay: £36,000.00-£39,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• What do you believe makes an excellent nursery and why you want to build Little Oaks with us?

Experience:

• Nursery manager or deputy manager: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• level 3 Early Years qualification (or above) (required)

Work Location: In person