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Nursery Manager

Acorn Early Years Foundation -
Milton Keynes

Job details

Permanent | Full-time
£37,440 - £47,840 a year

Benefits

Cycle to work scheme
Annual leave
Company pension
Tech scheme

Qualifications

Early childhood education
Organisational skills
EYPS
Communication skills
Teaching
EYTS

Full job description

NURSERY MANAGER - STONY STRATFORD

Full Time - 40 Hours per week Monday - Friday - Shift patterns between 07:15-08:30

We’re looking for an exceptional Nursery Manager to lead our welcoming and experienced team at our beautiful nursery in Stony Stratford. Our setting supports up to 40 children and is thoughtfully designed with two spacious indoor play areas and direct access to two exciting outdoor learning environments.

At Acorn Early Years, we are proud to deliver high-quality, affordable childcare that puts children before profit. As a social enterprise with over 35 years’ experience, we are passionate about nature-based learning, ethical practice, and professional development—and we’re proud to have been named Nursery World Nursery Group of the Year 2025.

Situated on the site of Elizabeth House, in Vicarage Road, Stony Stratford. Our nursery provides high quality, affordable childcare and early years education for the local community, in a building which has been completely refurbished and extended, with two spacious play areas indoors, with direct access to three outdoor play areas.

We offer full and part-time care for up to 40 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.

Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor play and learning, and the children will have the opportunity to be outdoors at some point every day, whatever the weather. Included in our fees are regular Forest School sessions; these exciting educational experiences are suitable for pre-schoolers and are delivered by fully trained forest school leaders and offer an innovative approach to outdoor play.

Regular visits to Elizabeth House Retirement Village:

The nursery has a great relationship with our neighbours at Elizabeth House and the residents in the retirement apartments. Twice a month The Squirrels visit Elizabeth House for an afternoon of fun, games and laughter. The interaction for all parties is invaluable and the children’s visit is always eagerly anticipated by the residents.

We also take full advantage of our lovely setting, taking the children on regular walks in the town and to the numerous parks Stony Stratford has to offer. Local residents often see our large “Buggy Bus” around the town as we take regular trips to the local library. Enjoying the library from an early age is a great way for children to embrace the fun of reading.

We work closely with the community and often become involved with Town events and use the local amenities and surrounding area.

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an inspirational and values-driven leader to shape a unique nursery environment, with a strong focus on outdoor learning and forest school principles. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child, family and colleague feels valued, respected and able to thrive.

You’ll lead with passion, ensuring the highest standards in Early Years care, safeguarding, teaching, and learning, while fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and joy.

Key Responsibilities

Lead outstanding delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Champion and embed outdoor learning and nature pedagogy
Ensure the safeguarding, wellbeing, and development of all children and staff
Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, and colleagues
Maintain effective relationships with Local Authorities, Ofsted, and external agencies
Drive occupancy, marketing initiatives, and brand awareness
Manage budgets and ensure effective staff deployment and resource use
Lead, mentor, and develop your team, supporting continuous professional development
Work alongside our on-site training centre to showcase best-in-class practice

About You

You will be a confident and experienced leader who is passionate about making a difference:

Qualified to Level 3 minimum (Level 6 desirable) in Early Years
At least 3 years’ senior experience, including 1 year in a management role
Proven ability to deliver exceptional standards of care and education
Skilled in leading and developing teams
Strong knowledge of safeguarding and safer recruitment practices
Excellent communication and organisational skills
Enthusiastic about forest school and outdoor learning (training available if needed).
Willingness to learn and develop through CPD and further qualifications
Committed to a child-first, ethical approach

What We Offer

Competitive salary
£1,000 recruitment bonus after successful probation
Enhanced pension contributions
65% childcare discount
Ongoing training and clear progression opportunities
The chance to work for a values-led, not-for-profit organisation

This is a full-time role (40 hours per week), with flexibility across early and late shifts (7.15am to 6.15pm) or the option to work four 10 hour days with a day off.

Safeguarding Commitment

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK, complete an enhanced DBS check, and provide two satisfactory references. Acorn Childcare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

Benefits

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
65% Childcare discount Pro-rata according to contracted hours
Generous family leave
Christmas closure
25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
Enhanced pension scheme
Cyclescheme
Techscheme
Length of Service awards
Summer and Christmas parties
Pay advances for when times are tough
Employee assistance wellbeing programme

Posted via: eyrecruit

NURSERY MANAGER - STONY STRATFORD

Full Time - 40 Hours per week Monday - Friday - Shift patterns between 07:15-08:30

We offer full and part-time care for up to 40 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.

Regular visits to Elizabeth House Retirement Village:

We work closely with the community and often become involved with Town events and use the local amenities and surrounding area.

About the Role

You’ll lead with passion, ensuring the highest standards in Early Years care, safeguarding, teaching, and learning, while fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and joy.

Key Responsibilities

Lead outstanding delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Champion and embed outdoor learning and nature pedagogy

Ensure the safeguarding, wellbeing, and development of all children and staff

Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, and colleagues

Maintain effective relationships with Local Authorities, Ofsted, and external agencies

Drive occupancy, marketing initiatives, and brand awareness

Manage budgets and ensure effective staff deployment and resource use

Lead, mentor, and develop your team, supporting continuous professional development

Work alongside our on-site training centre to showcase best-in-class practice

About You

You will be a confident and experienced leader who is passionate about making a difference:

Qualified to Level 3 minimum (Level 6 desirable) in Early Years

At least 3 years’ senior experience, including 1 year in a management role

Proven ability to deliver exceptional standards of care and education

Skilled in leading and developing teams

Strong knowledge of safeguarding and safer recruitment practices

Excellent communication and organisational skills

Enthusiastic about forest school and outdoor learning (training available if needed).

Willingness to learn and develop through CPD and further qualifications

Committed to a child-first, ethical approach

What We Offer

Competitive salary

£1,000 recruitment bonus after successful probation

Enhanced pension contributions

65% childcare discount

Ongoing training and clear progression opportunities

The chance to work for a values-led, not-for-profit organisation

This is a full-time role (40 hours per week), with flexibility across early and late shifts (7.15am to 6.15pm) or the option to work four 10 hour days with a day off.

Safeguarding Commitment

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK, complete an enhanced DBS check, and provide two satisfactory references. Acorn Childcare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.