Nursery Manager/Baby Room Lead
Little Willow Nest
Tunbridge Wells, Kent (TN4)
Full Time
Salary: £32,000 - £36,000 depending on experience
A rare opportunity to help build a nursery from the very beginning.
Little Willow Nest is a new boutique nursery for babies and young toddlers opening in Tunbridge Wells.
Created around a belief that babies thrive best when they are deeply known, emotionally secure and cared for in calm, thoughtfully prepared environments, our vision is to create one of the most respected early years settings in the area.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Nursery Manager to join us during the pre-opening phase and play a key role in bringing that vision to life.
This is not a role for someone looking to simply maintain an existing nursery. It is an opportunity to help create something exceptional from day one and shape the culture, standards and reputation that will define Little Willow Nest for years to come.
About Little Willow Nest
Little Willow Nest has been created with a simple belief:
Children deserve exceptional care during the earliest years of life.
Our nursery has been designed specifically with babies and young toddlers in mind. We intentionally keep numbers small, allowing children to experience genuine individual attention, strong attachments and a calm daily rhythm.
We are building a nursery that combines the warmth and familiarity of a home-like environment with the professionalism, safeguarding standards and expertise expected of an outstanding early years setting.
Our aim is not simply to provide childcare.
We want to create a nursery that families feel genuinely excited to join and a workplace that early years professionals feel proud to be part of.
The Role
As Nursery Manager, you will work closely alongside the Founder during the pre-opening phase and play a central role in preparing the nursery for launch.
This is a genuine partnership.
The Founder will lead the business, admissions, marketing, finance and long-term growth of the nursery, while you will lead the day-to-day delivery of high-quality early years practice and help establish the culture and standards that define the setting.
You will contribute to:
- Preparing the nursery for opening.
- Supporting Ofsted registration and inspection readiness.
- Developing routines, procedures and operational systems.
- Recruiting and supporting future team members.
- Creating an exceptional experience for children and families.
- Building a positive and supportive team culture from the outset.
Following opening, you will lead the day-to-day operation of the nursery and be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of care, safeguarding and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the delivery of high-quality care and education in accordance with the EYFS.
Promote outstanding safeguarding practice and ensure children's welfare remains at the centre of all decision-making.
Maintain compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
Build positive and professional relationships with parents and families.
Support the recruitment, induction and development of staff.
Lead and inspire the team through coaching, mentoring and professional support.
Ensure the nursery environment remains safe, welcoming and developmentally appropriate.
Work collaboratively with the Founder to support the nursery's growth and long-term success.
What We Are Looking For
You may already be an experienced Nursery Manager.
Equally, you may be an exceptional Deputy Manager or Baby Room Leader who is ready to take the next step in your career.
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who combines excellent early years knowledge with strong leadership potential, attention to detail and a genuine passion for providing exceptional care for young children.
You will have:
- A Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
- Strong experience working with babies and young children.
- Previous leadership experience within an early years setting.
- Excellent knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- Confidence managing compliance, record keeping and operational responsibilities.
- A positive, proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- A genuine desire to help build something special from the beginning.
Why Join Little Willow Nest?
Many experienced practitioners enter early years because they love working with children, only to find themselves increasingly pulled away from that purpose by large settings, growing administration and competing priorities.
Little Willow Nest offers something different.
A smaller, intimate setting.
Meaningful relationships.
The opportunity to know every child and family personally.
A genuine voice in shaping how the nursery develops.
The chance to help create an environment where children, families and staff can truly thrive.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £32,000 - £36,000 (depending on experience).
- The opportunity to join a nursery at the very beginning of its journey.
- Significant influence over the nursery's culture and future direction.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
- A supportive and collaborative working relationship with the Founder.
- The chance to help create one of the most respected early years settings in the area.
How to Apply
Please send your CV together with a short covering letter explaining:
- Why this opportunity interests you.
- What excites you about helping build a nursery from the beginning.
- What you believe exceptional care for babies and young toddlers looks like.
Little Willow Nest is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, references and safer recruitment procedures.
Pay: £32,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
Experience:
- Level 3: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
