Nursery Manager@ HaPPY TraiLs PLaY - Shinfield
36-40 Hours Per Week
At Happy Trails Play, we don't believe the best Nursery Managers lead from behind a desk.
They lead from the nursery floor.
They're the person children run to with exciting news. The person parents trust to care for what matters most. The person colleagues turn to for guidance, encouragement, and support.
They're visible. They're approachable. They lead by example.
Because that's where great leadership happens.
We're looking for someone who wants to build a team that loves coming to work, children who can't wait to come through the door each morning, and families who know they've found somewhere truly special.
You'll be organised, proactive and have a proven track record of developing people, maintaining high standards and creating a positive culture. You'll understand that exceptional nurseries aren't built by one person—they're built by great teams with a shared purpose.
At Happy Trails Play, we believe every nursery has its own unique personality. We want you to take genuine ownership of yours. To nurture it. To shape it. To make it somewhere that children flourish, families feel welcome and colleagues are proud to belong.
Above everything else, we're looking for 4 qualities that define every Happy Trails Play leader.
1. Whimsical
We believe childhood should feel magical.
Being whimsical isn't about grand gestures. It's about seeing possibilities where others see routines. It's about noticing the little things that transform an ordinary Tuesday into a childhood memory.
Whether it's creating inspiring learning experiences, surprising children with moments of wonder, delighting families or encouraging your team to think creatively, you'll constantly be asking:
"How can we make today even better?"
Because the smallest moments often leave the biggest impressions.
2. Empathetic
Great leaders understand people before they lead them.
You'll take time to listen, understand different perspectives and build relationships based on trust.
You'll have honest conversations with kindness, celebrate success generously and challenge people when they need it—always with the goal of helping them grow.
You'll create an environment where people feel safe to ask questions, confident to share ideas and motivated to give their very best.
Because people perform at their best when they know someone genuinely believes in them.
3. A Desire to Learn
The best leaders never stop learning.
We don't expect perfection—we expect curiosity.
You'll actively seek feedback, reflect on your leadership and embrace coaching as an opportunity to grow rather than something to fear.
You'll be supported by our Senior Management Team, but you'll also be trusted to make decisions, take ownership and continually look for ways to improve your nursery.
If you're excited by learning, passionate about helping others grow and always looking for better ways of doing things, you'll feel right at home here.
4. Wellness
Happy teams create happy children.
Looking after wellbeing isn't an added extra—it's part of being a great leader.
You'll notice when someone needs encouragement. You'll know when to stretch someone to achieve more than they thought possible. And you'll recognise when someone simply needs you to listen.
You'll celebrate achievements, encourage balance and help create a workplace where people enjoy coming to work because they feel respected, supported and valued.
Because when people feel their best, they give children their very best.
What You'll Spend Your Time Doing
We've designed this role so you can focus on what really matters.
Our central support team looks after recruitment, nursery funding and much of the day-to-day administration, giving you more time to lead your people and less time buried in paperwork.
We see the role as being around 60% strategic and office-based, and 40% spent in the nursery rooms.
That doesn't mean hiding away in an office. It means using your time to plan, coach, analyse and develop your team before taking that leadership onto the nursery floor.
We don't believe in "the office" and "the rooms" as separate worlds.
Leadership should be visible everywhere.
You'll work closely with our Senior Management Team to embed the Happy Trails Play curriculum, maintain exceptional standards and ensure every child receives the very best start in life.
Developing your Room Leaders will be one of your greatest responsibilities. Through coaching, one-to-ones, observations and regular development planning, you'll help every member of your team grow in confidence and capability.
You'll celebrate success, tackle challenges early and create a culture where continuous improvement simply becomes part of everyday life.
Most importantly, you'll be visible.
Visible to children.
Visible to families.
Visible to your colleagues.
You'll know your team.
You'll celebrate their successes.
You'll support them through challenges.
You'll encourage them to aim higher than they thought possible.
You can handle constructive feedback in a professional manner
We don't want a manager who manages from an office.
We want a leader who is known by every child, every family and every colleague.
Someone who puts people first, believes in bringing out the best in others and understands that great nurseries are built by great teams.
Because when your team flourishes, children flourish too.
What You'll Get
A calm, well-rounded environment full of capable, supportive professionals who genuinely enjoy collaborating.
30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (38 days total).
Company pension.
A discretionary annual bonus, linked to individual and nursery performance.
The opportunity to lead a fully staffed, well-established nursery, allowing you to focus on leadership, quality and culture rather than constant recruitment.
Work alongside a dedicated Office Administrator, reducing your administrative workload and giving you more time to lead your team.
Close collaboration with our Operations Manager, Senior Nursery Manager, Directors and Founder, ensuring you're always supported by an experienced leadership team.
Comprehensive training on all of our systems, processes and ways of working.
Full access to our staff wellbeing programme, including initiatives designed to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
50% discounted childcare for your own child.
Full entry to our iconic, company-funded staff parties and social events throughout the year.
One-to-one personal coaching from our Founder to support your leadership, confidence and professional development.
Genuine autonomy to lead your nursery while benefiting from experienced support whenever you need it.
The opportunity to help shape one of Berkshire's most ambitious and forward-thinking nursery groups.
If that sounds like the kind of leader you are or think you can become, we'd love to welcome you to Happy Trails Play - get in touch with us!
Pay: From £45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee mentoring programme
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Arborfield RG2 9DY: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)
Experience:
- Nursery: 5 years (required)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 Childcare Qualification (required)
Location:
- Arborfield RG2 9DY (required)
Work Location: In person
