Day Nursery Manager

Job overview

Are you an inspirational leader with a passion for early years education and a commitment to delivering exceptional childcare? We are seeking an experienced and dedicated individual to lead our thriving nursery.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established and highly regarded nursery where children are at the heart of everything we do. You will play a pivotal role in leading a passionate team of early years professionals, creating an environment where children feel safe, nurtured, and inspired to learn, and where staff are supported to develop and flourish in their careers.

We are looking for a confident and approachable leader who is committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and education, embraces continuous improvement, and enjoys building positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and external professionals. In return, you will join a supportive and collaborative team that values innovation, professional growth, and excellence in early years practice.

If you are passionate about creating outstanding experiences for children, developing and inspiring teams, and leading a nursery that strives for excellence every day, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the nursery team to deliver outstanding childcare and education.
• Ensure compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, safeguarding, health and safety, and other statutory requirements.
• Monitor and improve the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Manage staffing, budgets, occupancy levels, and resources effectively.
• Develop strong partnerships with parents, carers, and external agencies.
• Support children's development, inclusion, and well-being.
• Conduct staff supervision, appraisals, and professional development activities.
• Implement and review nursery policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure confidentiality of information.
• Drive continuous improvement and support the achievement of nursery objectives.

Skills and Experience:

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Thorough knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, and childcare regulations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience in managing teams and nursery operations.
• Relevant childcare qualification ( Level 5 or above, with management experience preferred).
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Responsibilities of the Nursery Manager

The Nursery Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and development of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of childcare, education, safeguarding, and operational effectiveness are maintained at all times.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Lead, motivate, and support the nursery management team and wider staff group.
• Conduct supervisions, appraisals, performance reviews, and manage staff development plans.
• Identify training needs and ensure staff complete mandatory and professional development training.
• Manage recruitment, induction, retention, attendance, sickness absence, disciplinary, grievance, and performance processes.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively while maintaining oversight of service delivery.
• Promote Trust values, equality, diversity, inclusion, and professional conduct throughout the nursery.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the nursery.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, child protection, and PREVENT duties.
• Monitor safeguarding practice and respond appropriately to concerns or incidents.
• Support staff in recognising, recording, and reporting safeguarding concerns.
• Promote a culture where children's welfare and safety are paramount.

Quality of Education and Child Development

• Ensure compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Ofsted requirements.
• Monitor the quality of teaching, learning, assessment, and planning across the nursery.
• Oversee children's development tracking, observations, learning records, and target planning.
• Support staff in providing inclusive, stimulating, and child-centred learning experiences.
• Ensure British Values are embedded within daily practice and curriculum planning.

SEND and Inclusion

• Support the nursery SEND Lead to ensure children with additional needs receive appropriate support.
• Work with parents, external agencies, and professionals to coordinate interventions and support plans.
• Oversee the preparation of reports, referrals, and Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) when required.
• Ensure compliance with the SEND Code of Practice and inclusive practice standards.

Operational Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the nursery.
• Monitor occupancy levels, staffing ratios, and workforce deployment.
• Maintain effective communication with internal Trust departments and external agencies.
• Oversee nursery administration, reports, audits, record keeping, and compliance documentation.
• Participate in and lead management meetings, staff meetings, and planning sessions.
• Spend regular time within children's rooms to monitor practice and support staff.

Health and Safety

• Ensure a safe environment for children, staff, parents, and visitors.
• Monitor health and safety compliance, risk assessments, infection control, and equipment maintenance.
• Ensure all statutory and mandatory training requirements are completed.
• Maintain records required by both Ofsted and Trust policies.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage nursery budgets and financial systems effectively.
• Authorise purchases, invoices, petty cash transactions, and staff timesheets within delegated limits.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure resources provide value for money.
• Oversee nursery fee invoicing, funding claims, salary sacrifice arrangements, and financial reporting.
• Ensure nursery equipment and resources are maintained and replaced when necessary.

Parent and Partnership Working

• Build positive relationships with parents and carers.
• Respond to parent enquiries, concerns, and requests for information.
• Support children's transitions within the nursery and into primary education.
• Work collaboratively with local authorities, Ofsted, health professionals, and support services.
• Promote effective communication between families and the nursery.

Strategic Development and Compliance

• Support the development and implementation of nursery policies and procedures.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and quality assurance processes.
• Support preparation for Ofsted inspections and regulatory reviews.
• Monitor service performance and contribute to strategic planning and service development.
• Ensure the nursery operates in line with Trust objectives, statutory requirements, and best practice standards.

Overall Accountability

The Nursery Manager is accountable for ensuring the nursery provides a safe, inclusive, nurturing, and high-quality environment where children can thrive, staff are supported to perform at their best, and all operational, educational, safeguarding, and financial responsibilities are effectively managed.