At Bear and Bunny, our wonderful team is growing and we're currently looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Nursery Manager to join our team!
The Role
This is a leadership role for an experienced, organised and passionate early years professional, who can confidently manage change while preserving the warmth and identity of Bear & Bunny.
You will:
- Lead the successful transition from term-time-only to all-year-round provision
- Embed our hybrid curriculum model with confidence linking it to the EYFS
- Support team development and wellbeing
- Maintain high standards of care and education
- Build strong partnerships with families
- Ensure full compliance with statutory requirements
Key Responsibilities Leadership & Culture
- Model and promote Bear & Bunny’s values of Collaboration, Courtesy, Inclusion, Inspiration and Dedication
- Create a positive, reflective and supportive team culture
- Lead by example with professionalism and warmth
- Support and mentor staff through change
Managing Change
- Confidently implement operational changes required for all-year-round opening
- Support existing staff adapting to new routines
- Ensure smooth integration of baby provision into the setting
- Maintain morale and clarity during transition
Curriculum & Quality
- Champion child-led learning and in-the-moment planning
- Ensure high-quality outdoor activities linking to the EYFS
- Protect uninterrupted play and deep learning
- Maintain beautiful environments and develop them as necessary
- Monitor progress in line with statutory frameworks i.e. EYFS
Operational Excellence
- Staff rota planning and deployment
- Occupancy and budget awareness
- Safeguarding leadership
- Ofsted readiness - making sure all EYFS changes have been implemented
- Compliance with policies and procedures
- Organisation of paperwork and systems
You will be highly organised, detail-focused and confident in balancing operational demands with pedagogy.
Family Partnerships
- Build trusting relationships with families
- Confidently communicate changes and updates
- Promote the setting within the local Meadvale community
- Lead tours and enrolment conversations
Candidate Specification - Essential
- Level 3 Early Years qualification (minimum)
- Previous Nursery Manager or Deputy experience
- Strong knowledge of the EYFS
- Experience managing staff teams
- Experience with Ofsted inspections
- Strong organisational and administrative skills
- Experience managing operational change
Highly Desirable
- Experience transitioning a setting from TTO to all-year-round
- Baby room leadership experience
- Outdoor learning knowledge
- Reggio or Curiosity Approach understanding
- Strong occupancy growth experience
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about child-led learning
- Calm and solution-focused
- Highly organised
- Reflective and open-minded
- Warm, approachable and inspiring
- Confident in decision-making
About Bear & Bunny
At Bear & Bunny, children are at the centre of everything we do.
Our curriculum blends inspiration from Reggio Emilia, The Curiosity Approach, child-led learning, the EYFS and in-the-moment planning - creating nurturing, inspiring environments where children feel safe, valued and curious.
Our Meadvale setting is the newest addition to our small nursery family. Situated within a beautiful 1950s church building full of character, the nursery includes:
- A baby suite that is currently undergoing a beautiful, full refurbishment
- An already fully refurbished preschool and toddler building
- Outdoor learning opportunities
We are now transitioning from a term-time only preschool model to a full all-year-round nursery provision and we are seeking a strong, experienced and values-led Nursery Manager to lead this exciting next chapter.
What We Offer
At Bear & Bunny, we truly value our team members.
We offer:
- Competitive salary
- Supportive leadership team
- Professional development opportunities
- A beautiful, characterful setting
- A values-led workplace culture
- Employee benefits package
This is an opportunity to shape the future of our newest setting and make a lasting impact.
Why This Role Is Special
This is not just a management role.
It is an opportunity to:
- Lead a setting through transformation
- Shape a new baby provision from the beginning
- Embed a unique hybrid curriculum
- Grow within a nurturing nursery family
- Create something truly special in Meadvale
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Referral programme
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
