Nursery Manager

Feltham, TW13 5BB
Permanent, full-time
£42,000 – £45,000 per year
Work location: in person

We are looking for an energetic, passionate and inspiring Nursery Manager to lead our team and oversee the day-to-day running of our nursery.

As Nursery Manager, you will play a key role in creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive and where our team feel valued, supported and empowered to do their best work.

You will provide strong leadership across all areas of nursery operations, ensuring consistently high standards of care and education, effective team development, positive partnerships with families and full compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced early years professional who is passionate about high-quality childcare, team leadership and making a lasting difference to children and families.

Why Monkey Puzzle?

People matter at Monkey Puzzle. We believe that when our team feel supported, valued and happy, they can provide the very best care and experiences for the children in our nurseries.

As part of our team, you will benefit from:

  • Professional development opportunities, including access to our engaging online training platform and bespoke career development pathways
  • Flexible working options, recognising that work needs to work for you
  • Free parking
  • Childcare discount of INSERT
  • Access to free counselling and wellbeing support
  • Free meals
  • Company-wide social events
  • A wellbeing-focused leadership team who are here to support you throughout your journey with us
  • Competitive salary
  • Regular opportunities to celebrate achievements and recognise the contribution of our team

About You

We are looking for a Nursery Manager who:

  • Is a passionate and experienced early years professional with a genuine commitment to providing outstanding care and education
  • Values teamwork and thrives in a warm, friendly, family-focused nursery environment
  • Leads by example and is able to motivate, inspire and develop a diverse team
  • Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills and can build strong, positive relationships with children, families, colleagues and external professionals
  • Is highly organised, proactive and confident managing competing priorities
  • Has strong IT, planning and administrative skills, with excellent attention to detail
  • Is committed to continuous improvement and maintaining high standards across all areas of nursery practice
  • Understands the importance of creating a positive workplace where people feel valued, listened to and supported

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

  • Provide strong, visible and supportive leadership to the nursery team
  • Lead and motivate colleagues to deliver consistently high standards of care, education and safeguarding
  • Recruit, induct, support and develop team members in line with company procedures
  • Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, supervision and performance appraisals
  • Identify individual and team training needs and develop appropriate training plans, with support from Head Office
  • Develop and empower room leaders and other senior team members to take ownership of their areas of responsibility
  • Foster a positive, inclusive and collaborative team culture where everyone feels valued and able to contribute
  • Address performance, conduct and staffing matters professionally and in line with company procedures

Nursery Operations

  • Take overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day operation of the nursery
  • Ensure appropriate staffing levels, rotas and deployment are maintained to support children’s safety, care and learning
  • Oversee the planning and delivery of engaging experiences that support children’s individual development and interests
  • Ensure accurate, timely and confidential records are maintained
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, health and safety throughout the nursery
  • Manage nursery resources and running costs effectively and contribute to budget planning
  • Ensure company policies and procedures are consistently implemented

Safeguarding & Compliance

  • Act as a strong advocate for children’s safety, welfare and wellbeing
  • Ensure safeguarding procedures are understood and followed by all members of the team
  • Maintain a thorough understanding of relevant early years legislation, safeguarding requirements and regulatory standards
  • Ensure the nursery is fully prepared for inspections and regulatory visits
  • Lead the implementation of any actions or recommendations arising from inspections, audits or internal reviews
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and best practice

Children, Parents & Partnerships

  • Create an environment where every child feels safe, secure, valued and encouraged to thrive
  • Promote high-quality early years practice that supports children’s learning, development and wellbeing
  • Build strong and trusting relationships with parents and carers
  • Communicate openly and professionally with families, responding to questions or concerns promptly and appropriately
  • Promote effective partnership working with parents, carers, external agencies and other professionals
  • Ensure children’s individual needs, interests and development are understood and supported

Essential Qualifications & Experience

  • A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above
  • Proven leadership and management experience within a nursery, preschool or early years setting
  • A minimum of two years’ recent experience working in a nursery/preschool setting in a Deputy Manager or equivalent senior role
  • Experience of leading and developing an early years team
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training
  • Safer Recruitment training
  • Excellent working knowledge of the current Early Years Inspection Framework and relevant early years requirements
  • Thorough knowledge of child safeguarding and welfare requirements
  • Strong understanding of health and safety, risk management and practical hygiene requirements
  • Good understanding of child development and high-quality early years practice
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
  • Strong organisational, administrative and IT skills
  • A genuine passion for creating a nurturing environment where children can learn, develop and thrive

A driving licence is desirable to support transportation requirements or outreach activities where applicable.

Our Team Perks

We love celebrating our people and the difference they make. Alongside our wider benefits, you can enjoy:

  • Friday Lunch on Us
  • Monthly Birthday Celebrations
  • Achievement Recognition Surprises
  • Professional Development & Career Pathways
  • Wellbeing & Counselling Support
  • Company-Wide Social Events
  • Free Meals
  • Free Parking
  • Childcare Discount – INSERT

Ready to lead our Feltham team?

Pay: £42,000.00 – £45,000.00 per year
Hours: Permanent, full-time
Location: Feltham, TW13 5BB (in person)