Job Description: Nursery Manager
Location: HappyWoods Nursery, 59 St Mildred’s Road, Lewisham, SE12 0RE
Capacity: 42 Children
Salary: £42,000 to £45,000 per year
Contract Type: Full time
About the Role
HappyWoods Nursery in Lewisham is seeking an experienced and ambitious Nursery Manager to lead our 42-place setting. This is a vital leadership role responsible for the day-to-day operations, team development, and the delivery of high-quality early years education.
You will be instrumental in maintaining our high standards, ensuring the safety and well-being of the children, and fostering a positive environment for our families and practitioners.
We're looking for someone who understands what excellent early years provision looks like in a middium size setting with the leadership skills to bring it to life. You'll need to be commercially aware, confident with Ofsted and passionate about creating a nursery where children, families and practitioners genuinely thrive. Most importantly, we want a leader who can translate their vision into tangible outcomes, ensuring that every child receives the exceptional start they deserve while fostering an environment where our staff feel empowered, valued, and inspired to deliver their best every day.
Criteria for the Post
- Qualifications: Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
- Experience: Previous experience as a Nursery Manager at least for 5 years
- Leadership: A proven track record of recruiting, leading, and developing high-performing, passionate teams.
- Operational Excellence: Strong understanding of EYFS, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements (Ofsted); experience with safeguarding (DSL training desirable).
- Business Acumen: Experience managing nursery budgets, financial performance, and occupancy planning to ensure the nursery's success.
- Communication: A passion for building strong, supportive relationships with children, families, and the local community.
What You’ll Receive
- Competitive salary of up to £45,000 per year.
- Ongoing training and leadership development opportunities.
- Support from a Quality Assurance Manager
- Comprehensive benefits, including birthday off as treat, Employee Assistance, 33 days annual leave including bank holidays, Termly bonus.
- The opportunity to shape the culture and standards of a busy, 42-place nursery.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Culture: Recruit, inspire, and develop a dedicated early years team, fostering a positive culture that reflects the company’s ethos.
- Safeguarding & Welfare: Ensure that safeguarding is deeply embedded throughout the nursery and consistently maintained at all times.
- Quality of Care: Drive high standards of teaching, learning, and care across all age groups (Baby, Toddler, and Pre-School).
- Operations & Compliance: Oversee budgets, staffing levels, and occupancy. Ensure full compliance with Ofsted, EYFS, and all statutory requirements.
- Community Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with families, effectively managing the nursery within the local community.
- Continuous Improvement: Lead quality improvement initiatives and ensure the setting is always prepared for Ofsted inspections.
- Collaboration: Work closely with senior leadership to execute long-term strategic goals for the nursery.
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with our safeguarding responsibilities.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £42,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee mentoring programme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
