Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week
About Us
We are a forward-thinking education organisation committed to providing outstanding early years education and childcare within a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. Our nursery is dedicated to supporting every child's learning, development and wellbeing while maintaining the highest standards of care and regulatory compliance.
We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and inspirational Early Education and Childcare Services Manager to lead the day-to-day management of our nursery and early years provision.
About the Role
Reporting to the Directors, the Early Education and Childcare Services Manager will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the nursery, ensuring the delivery of high-quality early education and childcare services in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Ofsted requirements and all relevant legislation.
The successful candidate will lead and develop the nursery team, oversee safeguarding, curriculum implementation, regulatory compliance, financial performance and continuous quality improvement while ensuring excellent outcomes for children and strong partnerships with parents and external agencies.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the nursery and early years provision.
- Ensure the nursery delivers outstanding standards of education, care and safeguarding in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- Lead the implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of the early years curriculum to promote children's learning, development and school readiness.
- Ensure full compliance with Ofsted requirements, safeguarding legislation, health and safety regulations and all other statutory obligations.
- Maintain a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment that promotes children's welfare and development.
- Develop, implement and monitor nursery policies, procedures and quality assurance systems.
- Lead, motivate, supervise and support the nursery team to achieve high standards of professional practice.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal and professional development of staff.
- Ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times.
- Monitor staff performance and address capability, attendance and employee relations matters in accordance with organisational policies.
- Manage nursery occupancy, admissions and waiting lists to maximise service capacity and financial sustainability.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents, carers, schools, local authorities and other professional agencies.
- Oversee the assessment, monitoring and recording of children's progress and development.
- Ensure effective support is provided for children with additional needs and work collaboratively with external professionals where appropriate.
- Monitor safeguarding concerns, referrals and child protection procedures, acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or Deputy DSL where applicable).
- Manage the nursery budget, monitor expenditure and contribute to financial planning and resource management.
- Ensure effective procurement, stock control and management of nursery resources.
- Prepare reports for Directors and contribute to organisational planning and decision-making.
- Coordinate inspections, audits and quality assurance reviews, implementing action plans arising from recommendations.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the nursery.
- Build and maintain a positive organisational culture focused on excellence, continuous improvement and outstanding outcomes for children.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
Essential Requirements
- Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education and Childcare as a minimum, with a relevant Level 5 qualification (or willingness to work towards one) preferred.
- Significant management experience within an early years or childcare setting.
- Thorough knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
- Excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation and child protection procedures.
- Strong knowledge of Ofsted inspection requirements and quality standards.
- Proven experience leading and developing staff teams.
- Experience managing recruitment, supervision, performance management and workforce planning.
- Strong leadership, organisational and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, staff and external agencies.
- Strong administrative, financial and resource management skills.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and nursery management software.
- Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain one).
Desirable
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Management) or equivalent.
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).
- Experience managing multi-site early years provision.
- Experience leading successful Ofsted inspections.
- Paediatric First Aid qualification.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training.
- Knowledge of SEND, inclusion and multi-agency working.
- Experience in budget management and business development.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Professional development and funded training opportunities.
- Opportunities for career progression within a growing organisation.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Supportive leadership and collaborative working environment.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children and their families.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to safer recruitment procedures, including an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, identity verification, Right to Work checks, qualification verification and any other pre-employment checks required by legislation.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced early years leader with a passion for delivering exceptional childcare and education, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV together with a covering letter explaining your suitability for the role.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £45,000.00-£46,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
