Nursery Manager

Lead a nursery where curiosity grows and help shape its future.

Are you an experienced Nursery Manager looking for a role where your ideas and leadership can make a difference? Or a confident Deputy Manager/ Room Leader ready to take the next step?

Little Curiosities Nursery & Preschool is looking for a warm, motivated and capable Nursery Manager to lead our team, support our families and provide high-quality care and education.

You will work closely with the Director, combining hands on leadership with responsibility for the nursery’s daily operation. This is an opportunity to develop a positive team culture and create an environment where children feel safe, valued and excited to learn.

About Little Curiosities

At Little Curiosities, we believe children learn through exploration, play and nurturing relationships. We aim to provide a welcoming environment that supports each child’s interests, development and individual needs.

Our manager will bring that approach to life through thoughtful leadership, strong safeguarding practice and meaningful partnerships with parents and carers.

What we offer

· Free childcare for your own child where they fall within the nursery’s eligible age range, subject to available places and agreed staff childcare terms.

· Funded training and professional development, supporting the knowledge and skills needed for your role.

· Direct support from the Director, with regular opportunities to discuss priorities, challenges and improvements.

· The opportunity to shape the nursery, contribute ideas and influence the quality of our provision.

· A supportive working environment that values collaboration, clear communication and staff wellbeing.

· 28 days’ paid annual leave, inclusive of bank/public holidays, based on a five-day working week.

· Free, hot daily lunch prepared by our Skilled Nursery Chefs each day you work

· Support to gain higher qualifications

Your role

You will lead the nursery’s day-to-day operation, maintaining high standards of safeguarding, care, education and professionalism. You will provide clear direction to staff, build trust with families and keep the Director informed of significant matters.

Your responsibilities will include:

Leading and developing the team

• Create a positive, child-centred culture with clear expectations for staff.
• Lead by example through professional conduct and high-quality practice.
• Organise staff rotas and deployment, maintaining appropriate ratios and supervision.
• Support recruitment, induction and probation reviews.
• Deliver regular supervision, appraisals and constructive feedback.
• Identify training needs and support staff development.
• Address performance or conduct concerns fairly, within your authority and nursery procedures.
• Encourage teamwork, accountability and effective handovers.

Delivering high-quality care and education

• Lead implementation of an engaging, play-based curriculum consistent with the EYFS.
• Support purposeful interactions and stimulating indoor and outdoor learning.
• Guide staff in observing children and using assessment to inform their practice.
• Ensure key-person arrangements support secure relationships and individual care.
• Support children’s communication, physical, personal, social and emotional development.
• Work with the SENCO to implement inclusive practice, support plans and reasonable adjustments.
• Support settling-in, room transitions and preparation for school.
• Monitor the quality of provision and turn improvement priorities into practical action.

Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare

• Maintain a strong safeguarding culture where concerns are recognised and reported promptly.
• Ensure staff understand and follow safeguarding and child-protection procedures.
• Follow procedures for concerns about adults, allegations and whistleblowing.
• Maintain safe arrangements for collection, visitors, outings and daily supervision.
• Promote respectful behaviour, emotional wellbeing and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Escalate significant concerns promptly through the appropriate internal or external route.

Managing daily operations and compliance

• Maintain accurate attendance, staffing, training and welfare records.
• Oversee health and safety checks, risk assessments and emergency arrangements.
• Ensure procedures for medication, accidents, allergies, food safety, intimate care and infection prevention are followed.
• Maintain readiness for inspection and cooperate professionally with Ofsted and other relevant agencies.
• Support completion of required actions and authorised regulatory notifications.
• Protect confidential information and ensure records and images are handled securely.
• Report significant staffing, premises, safeguarding or compliance issues to the Director.
• Manage resources responsibly within agreed authority.

Working with parents and carers

• Build welcoming, constructive and professional relationships with families.
• Ensure important information about children’s care, welfare and development is communicated appropriately.
• Handle sensitive conversations with care and confidence.
• Respond professionally to concerns and complaints, escalating significant matters.
• Maintain clear boundaries and use approved communication channels.
• Encourage family involvement in children’s learning and nursery life.

About you

We are looking for someone who combines a caring approach with the organisation, confidence and judgement needed to lead a nursery.

Essential qualities and experience

• A full and relevant Level 3 early-years qualification or above, suitable for the role.
• Experience in an early-years leadership position, with evidence of supporting staff and maintaining high-quality practice.
• Strong working knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and early-years care and education.
• Experience of staff supervision, deployment and managing daily priorities.
• An understanding of SEND, equality and inclusive practice.
• The ability to communicate clearly with staff, families and professionals.
• Confidence in maintaining accurate records and following policies.
• The ability to recognise concerns, take appropriate action and seek support when needed.
• A commitment to children’s welfare and continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Previous experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager.
• Experience supporting inspections and implementing improvement plans.
• DSL or Deputy DSL experience and relevant training.
• A current paediatric first-aid qualification.
• Experience supporting recruitment, induction and staff development.

We also welcome applications from experienced Deputy Managers / Room Leaders ready to progress into a Nursery Manager role.

How to apply

Send your CV and a supporting statement to [email protected].

Pay: £32,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Discounted or free food
• Employee mentoring programme
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person