Nursery Manager – Outstanding Reggio-Inspired Day Nursery, Forest School & Home-Ed Group | Four-Day Working Week Available
Enya’s Childcare
Crowland, near Peterborough
Pay: £18.35 per hour
Salary: £36,260 per year for a 38-hour, four-day week, or £42,940 per year for a 45-hour, five-day week
Working pattern: Choose between 38 contracted hours across four days or 45 contracted hours across five days
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Preferred start date: August 2026
Ofsted: Outstanding at both our most recent inspections
Why join Enya’s?
- Genuine four-day working week available
- Salary from £36,260
- Employer-paid health cash plan
- 50% childcare discount
- Performance bonus
- Christmas and New Year nursery closure
- The opportunity to lead an established Outstanding nursery
- Supportive, independently owned setting with genuine professional autonomy
Enya’s is an independently owned Early Years Day Nursery, Forest School and Home-Ed group in Crowland.
Since opening in 2016, we have developed a distinctive, child-centred approach combining Reggio Emilia-inspired practice, project-based learning, Forest School, creativity, sustainability and a strong focus on children’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
Our nursery was judged Outstanding across every area at its latest Ofsted inspection in March 2024, retaining the Outstanding judgement achieved at our previous inspection in April 2018. Ofsted recognised our bespoke curriculum, knowledgeable educators, imaginative learning experiences, outdoor provision and strong leadership.
We are now looking for an experienced Nursery Manager to lead our established team and help protect, develop and build upon everything that makes Enya’s special.
This is not a generic nursery-management position. We are looking for a leader who believes children should be heard, empowered, nurtured and actively involved in their own learning.
The opportunity
You will take day-to-day responsibility for the effective leadership and operation of the nursery.
You will inherit an established culture, experienced educators, a distinctive curriculum and a setting with a proven record of high-quality practice.
During your induction, you will work closely with the founders and existing management team. As you become established in the role, you will have the autonomy to lead the nursery confidently, with the founders remaining available for support and strategic consultation.
The founders remain involved in the nursery’s long-term direction, educational vision and team wellbeing, while the Nursery Manager holds responsibility for daily operational leadership.
Protected management and administration time is provided.
Your role will balance three priorities:
- Maintaining exceptional care, safeguarding and education
- Leading, developing and retaining a strong team
- Managing the nursery effectively and sustainably
Your responsibilities
You will:
- Lead, support and inspire our team of Early Years educators
- Protect and continue developing our child-led, Reggio-inspired approach
- Maintain the high standards recognised in our Outstanding Ofsted inspection
- Ensure full compliance with the EYFS, safeguarding requirements and Ofsted expectations
- Monitor and develop the quality of education across the nursery
- Promote reflective practice and meaningful pedagogical documentation
- Support Forest School, outdoor learning and appropriate supported risk-taking
- Support Home-Ed group in their outdoor learning environment
- Manage staffing rotas, deployment and ratios effectively
- Lead recruitment, induction, supervision and performance development
- Oversee safeguarding, health and safety and safer-recruitment processes
- Manage nursery administration, records, policies and regulatory requirements
- Maintain positive and trusting relationships with children and families
- Manage enquiries, occupancy and the effective use of nursery places
- Work with the founders on the nursery’s continuing development
- Lead by example and uphold a positive, professional and supportive culture
About you
You will be a calm, capable and emotionally intelligent leader who can combine high educational standards with sound operational management.
You must have:
- A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above
- At least five years’ experience within Early Years or nursery provision
- At least two years’ nursery-management or substantial senior-leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements
- Experience of nursery administration, compliance and staff deployment
- Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a team
- Confidence managing challenging conversations and making accountable decisions
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills
- A genuine commitment to child-led learning and whole-child development
It would be particularly valuable if you have:
- Led or supported a nursery through an Ofsted inspection
- Experience of Reggio Emilia-inspired or project-based practice
- Experience of Forest School or outdoor learning
- Experience improving occupancy and converting parent enquiries
- Experience leading staff development and strengthening team culture
- SENCO, designated safeguarding lead or advanced safeguarding experience
What we offer
- A choice of four or five-day working patterns
- 38 contracted hours across four days, or up to 45 hours across five days
- Salary of £36,260–£42,940 per year
- 8am–6pm (flexible shift) with a 30-minute unpaid break
- No expectation of unpaid additional hours
- Employer-paid Westfield Health Level 2 cash plan, helping towards eligible everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and therapy treatments, subject to plan terms
- 50% childcare discount
- Annual performance bonus, linked to agreed quality, team, occupancy and compliance objectives
- 28 days’ annual leave (Inclusive of bank holidays)
- An additional day off for your birthday
- Up to five additional days’ leave linked to length of service
- Nursery closure over the Christmas and New Year period
- Company pension
- Company sick pay
- An experienced and established educator team
- Monthly staff wellbeing gatherings
- Access to our educator-wellbeing check-in app
- Staff recognition and incentive schemes
- Team outings and company events
- The freedom to contribute ideas and influence the nursery’s future
- A close-knit independent setting where your leadership can make a visible difference
- A nursery culture in which educator wellbeing is considered fundamental to positive outcomes for children
We take staff wellbeing seriously and use our own educator-wellbeing system to identify concerns early, improve communication and support team retention.
Our values
At Enya’s, the child is at the centre of our ethos, curriculum and decision-making.
Our pedagogy is built around helping children become:
- Active learners
- Happy and emotionally secure
- Creative make-believers
- Friends of the Earth
- Confident members of a caring community
We are looking for a manager who connects genuinely with these values and can bring them to life through their leadership.
Applying
Please apply with your CV and a brief supporting statement covering:
- Your current or most recent leadership responsibilities
- The size of nursery and team you have managed
- Your Ofsted and safeguarding experience
- Your approach to child-led learning
- Why Enya’s ethos appeals to you
- Your preferred four- or five-day working pattern
- Your notice period and availability
Shortlisted candidates will initially be invited to an informal telephone conversation, followed by a structured interview and nursery visit.
This role is subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and all appropriate safer-recruitment checks.
Enya’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All team members are expected to share this commitment.
Pay: £36,260.00-£42,940.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Experience:
- Childcare: 5 years (required)
- Management: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 Early Years qualification or above (required)
Work Location: In person
