Nursery/Operations Manager

Experienced Nursery, Deputy, or Operations Manager required, 37.5 hours per week, at St. Aidan's Day Nursery Harraby, Carlisle, operating under registered charity number 1139082.

There will be a highly rewarding, industry leading salary available to the successful applicant after completion of successful probationary period.

For an immediate interview and application pack, please call Elma Dey now on 01228 586753. Closing date for applications is Friday 3rd July.

Benefits include:

• Very strong salary to start, with industry leading salary after successful probation
• Performance bonus to be discussed at interview
• Company contributions to your work pension
• Employee of the month awards and recognition
• Support to mentor and coach for promotion opportunities

Applicants must be minimum Level 3 childcare qualified, with at least 2 years checkable work experience as a Nursery Deputy, Nursery or Operations Manager. Level 5 or Level 6 qualified candidates will be given preference.

St Aidan's are a 2 times OFSTED awarded "OUTSTANDING" setting, who continuously strive to raise the bar in terms of childcare provision and being an excellent employer.

The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong early years/nursery setting leadership credentials to support the manager and HR Lead, to manage staff and oversee all nursery operations in this exciting, long term role.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate at interview examples of:

• How you have made a positive impact to the efficient running of your current nursery
• What you did to help your nursery achieve it's current OFSTED award inspection status, or how you would prepare for and handle the new style OFSTED inspection
• Your ambition, knowledge, experience and credentials to be an exceptional nursery manager

This will be a full time, 5 days per week role, 37.5 hours per week, between the hours of 8am and 6pm. The successful candidate will be expected to open/close the nursery throughout the week.

Very attractive salary package, pension and other benefits to be discussed at interview.

Working closely with the management team, key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Running the nursery consistently to a very high standard, implementing every aspect our core policies & procedures
• Putting into practice deep knowledge of EYFS framework & OFSTED inspections
• Coach and mentor senior nursery practitioners to be accountable for, and uphold excellent standards in each room
• Ensure all training requirements for senior staff are pro-actively implemented
• Ensure all staff qualifications are kept up to date in line with EYFS/OFSTED requirements
• *28 days minimum paid annual holiday inc. Bank Holidays.

Employees with 5 years continuous service are rewarded with an extra week's paid holiday benefit.

IN ADDITION, EXTRA PAID TIME OFF FOR NURSERY CLOSURE PERIOD CHRISTMAS 2026 TO NEW YEAR 2027, ON TOP OF 28 DAYS STATUTORY HOLIDAY. TYPICALLY WE CLOSE 17-20th DECEMBER, RE-OPEN 2-4th JANUARY. THAT'S AN EXTRA 7/8 DAYS PAID HOLIDAY, SO ANNUAL LEAVE IS BETWEEN 35-40 DAYS PER YEAR, DEPENDING ON LENGTH OF SERVICE.

For an immediate interview and application pack, please call Elma Dey now on 01228 586753.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Deputy Manager: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Level 3 childcare qualification (required)

Work Location: In person