Overview
Set in the peaceful surroundings of Wivenhoe Park on our Colchester Campus, our large Day Nursery offers high quality day care to children from 3 months to 5 years. We serve the local community, University staff and students.
We are currently looking to recruit an Early Years Practice Manager to complement our existing Management structure. You will be joining our friendly and diverse senior team at the Day Nursery.
This is a fixed term position working 28.5 hours per week. This appointment is for a fixed-term period for 05 October 2026 to 29 October 2027 in order to provide cover for a permanent member of staff who is absent from work on maternity leave. You should note that should the permanent member of staff choose to return to her post earlier than the end date of this contract then a notice period of 1 month, instead of 3 months, shall apply to the ending of this appointment.
These hours can be worked flexibly in line with the needs of the service and to provide a good work/home life balance.
We are looking for candidates that have previous Leadership and Management experience in strengthening a nursery environment and managing a team of two Nursery Deputies and their Senior Early Years Educators. You will be supported by the Nursery Senior Operations Manager.
Candidates should be passionate about the early years that value children as independent and unique learners. Who enjoy supporting children to learn and develop through a child led approach into confident individuals that are eventually ready to start school. We are looking for potentials that have the skill, knowledge and experience to inspire, lead and motivate their early years team.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title : Nursery Manager (Early Years Practice)
Contract: Part time, Fixed term from 5 October 2026 - 29 October 2027 to cover a period of maternity leave for a permanent member of staff. Please see General Information.
Hours: 28.5 hours per week. Some flexibility is required around key times of year.
Salary: £44,185.98 per annum, pro rata
Department/Section: Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
Responsible to: Director of Campus Services
Reports on a day to day basis to: Senior Nursery Operations Manager
Responsible for: Nursery Deputies / Senior Early Years Educators / Early Years Educators / On demand Early Years Assistants
Purpose of job: Working alongside the Nursery Management team in a shared leadership role, the post holder is responsible for providing professional leadership and management of the Day Nursery, ensuring that all children in our care receive outstanding care and education, improving outcomes for all children and providing inspirational leadership to team members.
The Duties of the Post Include:
GENERAL
- Support the Nursery Manager (Business Operations) to implement robust operating systems and procedures and ensure they are kept up to date.
- Have a strategic overview of the quality of early years provision, developing and sustaining an outstanding child-centred environment with high standards of physical, emotional, social and intellectual education and care for all children in the nursery environment and achieving at least ‘Good’ at inspection.
- Become the Designated Safeguarding lead Officer (DSLO) in the nursery, responsible for all safeguarding issues that may arise and the policies and procedures surrounding this. The role involves responsibility for liaising with local statutory children’s services agencies and local safeguarding partners. Keeping abreast of any changes to statutory guidance and ensure relevant information is cascaded to staff. Responsibility to offer annual in-house refresher safeguarding training to staff between their Level 2 local authority training. The safety, security and wellbeing of children registered in the nursery is of paramount concern and must be dealt with professionally, in a timely manner and on a need-to-know basis. You will have the support of the Business Operations Manager who is level 3 trained and will deputise in your absence.
- Keep abreast of legislation, guidelines and policies, ensure the requirements of the Children Act and the Early Years Foundation Stage are met at all times, achieving at least ‘Good’ at inspection.
- Respect the confidentiality of sensitive family information (subject to child protection policies and procedures) and ensure the staff adhere to this.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with parents.
- Establish and maintain effective communications links with the appropriate agencies, working with other professionals as required to improve learning outcomes for children, provide support for parents and to continually improve the setting.
- Assist the Nursery Manager (Business Operations) with enquiries from prospective customers, confidently and effectively selling the nursery service during accompanied visits as required, to maximise occupancy.
- Assist the Nursery Manager (Business Operations) to deal with complaints positively, proactively and effectively in accordance with procedures and adjust service provision where warranted.
STAFF MANAGEMENT
- Lead, manage and motivate the Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery team, ensuring all relevant University and UECS policies are adhered to and appropriate records are maintained, including recruitment, induction, training, performance reviews, absence management and performance management.
- Supervise, support and lead the professional development of nursery staff in regards to the standards of quality and practices required by EYFS and Ofsted and to strive to become a flagship of good practice for the sector.
- Be responsible for staffing rotas and maintaining ratio in rooms at all times with the correct number of qualified practitioners in line with the EYFS.
- Ensure appointed staff have the relevant qualifications, possess the right skills and meet DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) requirements.
- In partnership with the Nursery Manager (Business Operations), contribute to the agenda for staff meetings and the organisation of the annual staff conference.
- Lead staff training sessions to disseminate best practice throughout the setting and role model good practices.
FINANCIAL
- Ensure that the nursery is well equipped in all areas and that the nursery stock is used efficiently by maintaining accurate records and methods of control.
- Monitor expenditure against forecast, investigate discrepancies and provide information to the Nursery Manager (Business Operations).
- Assist the Nursery Manager (Business Operations) with the preparation of the annual budget by accurately determining resources required for the following financial year.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
- Ensure the provision of high standards of physical and emotional care, providing a child centred environment where children are cared for in a safe, caring and stimulating way that ensures their individual needs are met within a groups setting.
- Support all team members in understanding and following the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Model and disseminate outstanding practice which focuses on planning around the needs and interests of the individual child, regardless of any disabilities, family backgrounds or medical history.
- Monitor funded children to ensure they have on entry data, a two year check, better start data and noticeable development throughout their time at the setting.
- Monitor the children eligible for the early years’ pupil premium and ensure they have thorough on entry data, noticeable achievement in their development and effective support from the allocation of the pupil premium funds.
- Evaluate the quality of childcare and education throughout the setting as required by Ofsted, identifying and addressing areas needing development to ensure that all children attending the setting are kept safe, and receive rich and stimulating play and learning experiences appropriate to their age and stage of development.
- Role model the high scope approach to behaviour management.
- Complete room and learning journey audits once a term, supported by the Management team and provide the room senior with a written plan of action following the audit outcome.
- Create development plans for the setting, working within our nursery curriculum, highlighting areas of focus for the forthcoming 12 months.
- Work with the Forest School Practitioner to actively develop the outdoor classroom and facilitate opportunities to develop the practice of other staff in the outdoor classroom approach.
- Liaise with schools regarding transition.
OTHER
- Review and update Risk Assessments, Methods of Work and COSHH sheets on a regular basis in order that they accurately reflect work tasks and practises. Undertake IOSH training and deputise in the absence of the Operations Manager as the nursery Health and Safety Liaison Officer (HSLO).
- Act as a nursery Fire Warden in drills or emergency (along with the Business Manager) and understand your responsibilities in this role (training provided).
- Assist the Nursery Manager (Business Operations) with accident and incident investigations as required and ensure that recommended solutions are implemented.
- Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the UECS Director of Campus Services or their nominee.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualification / Training
Early Years Degree - DESIRABLE
A minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent - ESSENTIAL
Paediatric First Aid - ESSENTIAL
Level 2 Certificate in Safeguarding Children - ESSENTIAL
IOSH Certificate - DESIRABLE
NVQ Level 4 in Management - DESIRABLE
Experience / Knowledge
Significant management experience in 'Good' or 'Outstanding' early years setting - ESSENTIAL
Experience of leading a setting during at least one Ofsted inspection resulting in a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' rating - ESSENTIAL
Excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework - ESSENTIAL
Experience of curriculum development - ESSENTIAL
Experience of building strong parent partnerships - ESSENTIAL
Thorough understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding issues and confidentiality - ESSENTIAL
Evidence of continuous professional development - ESSENTIAL
Awareness and knowledge of Health and Safety legislation relating to working practices - DESIRABLE
SKILLS / ABILITIES
Strong people management skills with the ability to lead and motivate a successful team - ESSENTIAL
The ability to work with young children and their families in a sensitive and positive way - ESSENTIAL
The ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and colleagues, both orally and in writing - ESSENTIAL
Exceptional organisational, planning and time management skills - ESSENTIAL
Good IT literacy and a working knowledge of business systems - ESSENTIAL
Excellent decision-making skills and judgement - ESSENTIAL
OTHER
Ability to meet the requirements of UK 'right to work' legislation - ESSENTIAL
The ability to fulfil the requirements of an Enhanced DBS check (see general information) - ESSENTIAL
To maintain a confident and professional approach - ESSENTIAL
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
You can find more information about the department at the following: http://www.wivenhoeparkdaynursery.co.uk/
General information
Informal enquiries may be made to Lucy Rose, Early Years Practice Manager (e-mail: [email protected] ). However, all applications must be made online on the University of Essex website.
This post is fixed-term from 05 October 2026 until 29 October 2027 to cover a period of maternity leave for a permanent member of staff. You should note that should the permanent member of staff choose to return to her post earlier than the end date of this contract then a notice period of 1 month, instead of 3 months, shall apply to the ending of this appointment.
28.5 hours per week.
Enhanced DBS
Due to the nature of the work, applicants who are offered employment will be subject to an Enhanced DBS before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of all cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions.
We encourage applicants to provide details of all warnings, reprimands, cautions or criminal offences at an early stage in the application process. Should you wish to declare such information, please email the Resourcing Team in confidence, ([email protected]) attaching brief details. We guarantee that this information is shared only with the recruiting manager.
A copy of the University of Essex policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on the University website: https://www.essex.ac.uk/staff/recruiting-staff/recruitment-of-ex-offenders-and disclosure-and-barring-service
Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us – this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background to your offence.
Any applicants that are offered employment will be subject to completion of enhanced referencing before appointment can be confirmed. To satisfy the enhanced referencing you will need to provide the names of referees who can cover a 3 year employment/ Education history. If you have not been in employment or education for any period over 1 month in the past 3 years please provide details of a person who is not a member of your immediate family or a close personal friend who will be able to confirm your suitability for the role.
Pay: £44,185.98 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Transport links
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
