WE'RE HIRING
Nursery Leader / Manager
Ysgol Feithrin Abertridwr
LOCATION
Abertridwr, Caerphilly
HOURS
Full-time, 7:30am–6:00pm (flexible rota), Mon–Fri
SALARY
Competitive, dependent on experience (to be confirmed)
CLOSING DATE
18/09/2026
About the Role
Ysgol Feithrin Abertridwr is seeking an experienced and inspiring Nursery Leader / Manager to provide effective leadership and management of our setting. You will ensure the nursery operates in full compliance with the Regulated Childcare (Wales) Regulations 2016, the National Minimum Standards, and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) requirements — creating a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where children thrive, staff are supported, and high-quality childcare and education are consistently delivered.
You will report to the Responsible Individual and Management Committee.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Ensure all policies and procedures are current, reviewed and up to date, in line with the National Minimum Standards.
- Provide strong, visible leadership that inspires and motivates the staff team.
- Champion a positive, inclusive and child-centred culture throughout the setting.
- Implement, review and submit the nursery's Statement of Purpose and Operational Plan to CIW.
- Work with other professionals to ensure the Quality-of-Care outcomes are met to high standard.
- Support the Responsible Individual in meeting legal and regulatory responsibilities.
- Model high professional standards and lead the team by example.
- Work collaboratively with external professionals and local schools to build strong, effective partnerships.
- Organise, plan and manage staff rotas to ensure adequate staffing levels throughout the nursery's opening hours (7:30am–6:00pm).
- Chair staff meetings, provide clear and accurate minutes, and contribute actively to Committee meetings and decision-making.
- Ensure staff appraisal and supervision records remain up to date and current.
Childcare and Learning
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality care that supports each child's wellbeing, learning and development.
- Promote children's rights, play opportunities and wellbeing in line with the Curriculum for Wales and playwork principles, where appropriate
- Ensure planning and observations effectively support each child's individual needs
- Actively Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the setting and explore different cultures with the children.
- Maintain and apply positive behaviour management strategies
- Deliver meaningful experiences that support and enhance children's learning
Safeguarding
- Act as the Designated Safeguarding Person, or delegate to the Deputy Manager where authority has been given by the Nursery Manager.
- Ensure full and consistent implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures at all times, and that all supporting documentation is updated, reviewed and available to view at all times.
- Report any concerns promptly, following the Wales Safeguarding Procedures and notifying CIW and the Committee accordingly.
- Ensure child protection records are maintained accurately and confidentially.
- Ensure all staff complete and maintain up-to-date safeguarding training.
- Ensure that all staff have an up-to-date enhanced DBS check and is recorded in the setting.
Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with CIW regulations, Flying Start and the National Minimum Standards.
- Prepare the setting for CIW inspections by ensuring all relevant documentation and inspection files are current and up to date.
- Monitor, update, review and maintain policies, procedures and risk assessments and ensure all staff abide by these.
- Ensure accurate records are maintained and stored correctly.
- Lead continuous quality improvement through regular self-evaluation.
- Maintain compliance with GDPR requirements and confidentiality at all times.
Staff Management
- Recruit, induct and retain high-quality staff.
- Carry out supervision sessions and annual appraisals with all staff, reporting any issues or concerns to the Committee.
- Identify training needs and ensure mandatory training remains current and maintain up to date staff training records.
- Manage staff attendance, wellbeing and performance, maintaining accurate records.
- Promote teamwork and support staff professional development, including access to relevant training opportunities.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Ensure the nursery maintains a safe environment for children, staff and visitors at all times.
- Oversee daily health, safety and food safety checks, including regular legionella testing.
- Ensure lockdown procedures and fire safety procedures are followed, including the regular conduct of fire drills and fire assessments.
- Uphold infection prevention and hygiene standards in accordance with CIW guidance.
- Ensure all accidents and incidents are accurately recorded, thoroughly investigated and promptly reported to CIW.
Partnerships with Families
- Build, develop and maintain strong positive relationships with parents and carers.
- Provide clear and effective communication regarding children's progress.
- Ensure complaints are managed professionally in a timely manner and in line with the nursery's complaints procedure.
- Promote and strengthen family engagement within the nursery and encourage feedback with families and children.
Administration
- Ensure children's records are maintained accurately at all times.
- Support and oversee admissions and enrolment processes.
- Ensure all registers are completed correctly and submitted on time and children are registered with relevant agencies like Child Care Offer for Wales, Tax Free Childcare, Flying Start and Childcare Vouchers Scheme.
- Monitor occupancy levels and staffing requirements to ensure appropriate ratios are maintained through staff rotas.
- Support budgeting and the efficient use of resources, ensuring receipts and financial records are provided to the Committee Treasurer as required and manage nursery finances through the bank account and petty cash.
Person Specification
Essential
- A relevant Level 5 qualification in Childcare, Learning and Development (or an equivalent qualification recognised by Social Care Wales).
- Registration with Social Care Wales.
- Previous experience managing or supervising an early year setting.
- Safeguarding training at Level C.
- Knowledge of additional needs, including speech, language and communication needs.
- Excellent knowledge of CIW regulations and Welsh legislation.
- Strong leadership and organisational skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
- Ability to manage staffing, rotas and performance.
- Competent IT skills.
- Paediatric first aid qualification.
- Food hygiene qualification.
- Experience of working with children aged 2–8 years.
- Be trustworthy.
Desirable
- Full, clean Category B driving licence and have the relevant business insurance.
- Experience working within a committee-run charity nursery.
- Welsh language skills.
- Legionnaire testing certification.
- Be attachment and trauma informed.
- Experience with finance.
How to Apply
To apply, please provide a CV and contact Ysgol Feithrin Abertridwr Committee directly for an application form and further details.
[email protected]
Ysgol Feithrin Abertridwr is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 2 satisfactory references and a Right To Work in the UK check.
Ysgol Feithrin Abertridwr | King Street, Abertridwr, Caerphilly, CF83 4BE
Pay: £13.80 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
