Nursery Manager - Bear & Bunny MeadvaleA chance to lead something truly special
At Bear & Bunny our wonderful team is growing and we’re looking for an exceptional, passionate and enthusiastic Nursery Manager to join us at an exciting time for our newest setting in Meadvale.
This is more than a management position. It’s an opportunity to shape, lead and grow a nursery through an exciting period of transformation while becoming part of a small, supportive nursery family where children, families and our team genuinely matter.
The Role
We’re looking for an experienced, organised and passionate early years professional who can lead with confidence, embrace change and preserve the warmth, character and identity that makes Bear & Bunny special.
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 ResponsibilitiesLeadership & 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 SpecificationEssential
- 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 brings together inspiration from Reggio Emilia, The Curiosity Approach, child-led learning, the EYFS and in-the-moment planning to create nurturing, inspiring environments where children feel safe, valued and curious.
Our Meadvale setting is the newest addition to our small nursery family, based in a beautiful 1950s church building full of character. It includes:
- A beautifully refurbished baby suite
- A fully refurbished, bright and spacious preschool and toddler building
- Outdoor learning opportunities
We are now making the exciting transition from a term-time-only preschool to a full all-year-round nursery provision and we’re looking for a strong, experienced and values-led Nursery Manager to lead this next chapter.
What We Offer
We genuinely value the people who make Bear & Bunny what it is.
We offer:
- Competitive salary
- Supportive leadership team
- Professional development opportunities
- A beautiful, characterful setting
- A values-led workplace culture
- Employee benefits package
Why This Role Is Special
This is not simply a role where you step into an established setting and maintain the status quo.
It’s 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
If you’re an inspiring early years leader who loves creating beautiful environments, developing teams and putting children at the heart of everything you do we’d love to hear from you.
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
