Nursery Manager
| Posting date: | 26 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35,000 to £45,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | based on qualifications and experience |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 23 September 2025 |
| Location: | Devizes, Wiltshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Wiltshire Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 5549 |
Summary
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum based on qualifications and experience.
Hours: 40 hours per week, 51 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent
Benefits:
5% employer pension
EV scheme through Octopus
Cycle to work scheme and shopping discounts
50% fee discount for the sessions your child attends on the days you work in the nursery
Access to the group’s counselling scheme
3 x days of paid CPD / training per year
25 days holiday per year,
Paid bank holidays off plus Christmas closure
Access to fully funded apprenticeships, up to L5
Accident at work insurance cover
Staff uniform provided
Responsibilities:
Strategic & Operational Leadership:
Manage the day-to-day operation of the nursery, ensuring compliance with EYFS, and health and safety standards.
Lead the next stage of nursery growth, including marketing and implementation.
Have an up to date working knowledge of the Early Years Framework and all other statutory guidance.
Inspire a large and friendly team of early years professionals and provide regular training and continued staff support.
Monitor and maintain high standards of care, education, and safeguarding.
Work closely with the Nursery Area Manager and the support team from Wishford Education to manage child occupancy, financial budgets, and staffing.
Work with Talent Acquisition Partner to recruit and induct new staff members
Safeguarding:
Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the nursery, ensuring all staff understand and comply with safeguarding procedures.
Lead on all safeguarding matters, including referrals, staff training, and liaising with external agencies, and ensuring full compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, and local authority regulations.
Maintain accurate, confidential records for children, staff, and incidents.
Keep safeguarding logs, accident/incident reports, and child development records up to date,
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practices.
Take overall responsibility for the safety and the well-being of all children in the setting, conducting regular risk assessments, and promoting a culture of vigilance and proactive safeguarding among all staff.
Nursery Profitability:
Maximise nursery occupancy through proactive enrolment strategies and excellent parent engagement.
Ensure efficient staff deployment aligned with child ratios and budget constraints.
Oversee procurement and use of resources to ensure quality and cost-efficiency.
Lead local marketing initiatives and promote the nursery through events and community outreach.
Work with the Nursery Marketing and Admissions Executive to manage the nursery’s online presence.
Monitor and respond to parent feedback and online reviews, mainly on DayNurseries.com, to maintain a positive reputation.
Build strong relationships with the local community to enhance visibility and trust.
Work with the Nursery Finance Business Partner to achieve financial targets, manage nursery budgets, and monitor income and expenditure.
Oversee fee collection processes and manage outstanding charges professionally and sensitively.
Management and Leadership:
Motivate and inspire your nursery team.
Foster a positive, collaborative team culture that encourages high morale and staff engagement.
Conduct regular performance reviews, support senior/room leaders, and set clear goals, targets and expectations.
Promote a healthy work-life balance and implement wellbeing initiatives.
Identify training needs, support continuous professional development, and ensure all staff meet required qualifications and standards.
Teaching & Learning:
Create a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children flourish.
Lead the delivery of the EYFS curriculum with creativity and care.
Oversee planning, assessment, and evaluation to ensure high-quality learning experiences.
Support children with additional needs in collaboration with the Nursery Area Manager and external agencies.
Parent & Community Engagement:
Build strong, positive relationships with parents through regular communication, meetings, and events.
Ensure new families feel welcomed and supported from their first visit.
Represent the nursery with professionalism, warmth, and integrity at all times.
Foster strong relationships with families, ensuring open communication and trust.
Personal Qualities:
A warm, approachable, and child-centred leader.
Willingness to work flexibly as required around the needs of the nursery.
Passionate about creating a homely, happy, and high-achieving environment.
Resilient, proactive, and solutions focused.
A team player with a sense of humour and a “can-do” attitude.
Committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
Level 3, 4, or 5 qualification in Early Years (e.g., CACHE, NVQ).
Minimum 3 years’ experience in nursery management, ideally in a large setting (90+ occupancy).
Proven track record of delivering high standards in early years education and care.
Closing date (and time): 23/09/25 9am
Interview date: tbc
Commencement date: October/November 25
Hours: 40 hours per week, 51 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent
Benefits:
5% employer pension
EV scheme through Octopus
Cycle to work scheme and shopping discounts
50% fee discount for the sessions your child attends on the days you work in the nursery
Access to the group’s counselling scheme
3 x days of paid CPD / training per year
25 days holiday per year,
Paid bank holidays off plus Christmas closure
Access to fully funded apprenticeships, up to L5
Accident at work insurance cover
Staff uniform provided
Responsibilities:
Strategic & Operational Leadership:
Manage the day-to-day operation of the nursery, ensuring compliance with EYFS, and health and safety standards.
Lead the next stage of nursery growth, including marketing and implementation.
Have an up to date working knowledge of the Early Years Framework and all other statutory guidance.
Inspire a large and friendly team of early years professionals and provide regular training and continued staff support.
Monitor and maintain high standards of care, education, and safeguarding.
Work closely with the Nursery Area Manager and the support team from Wishford Education to manage child occupancy, financial budgets, and staffing.
Work with Talent Acquisition Partner to recruit and induct new staff members
Safeguarding:
Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the nursery, ensuring all staff understand and comply with safeguarding procedures.
Lead on all safeguarding matters, including referrals, staff training, and liaising with external agencies, and ensuring full compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, and local authority regulations.
Maintain accurate, confidential records for children, staff, and incidents.
Keep safeguarding logs, accident/incident reports, and child development records up to date,
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practices.
Take overall responsibility for the safety and the well-being of all children in the setting, conducting regular risk assessments, and promoting a culture of vigilance and proactive safeguarding among all staff.
Nursery Profitability:
Maximise nursery occupancy through proactive enrolment strategies and excellent parent engagement.
Ensure efficient staff deployment aligned with child ratios and budget constraints.
Oversee procurement and use of resources to ensure quality and cost-efficiency.
Lead local marketing initiatives and promote the nursery through events and community outreach.
Work with the Nursery Marketing and Admissions Executive to manage the nursery’s online presence.
Monitor and respond to parent feedback and online reviews, mainly on DayNurseries.com, to maintain a positive reputation.
Build strong relationships with the local community to enhance visibility and trust.
Work with the Nursery Finance Business Partner to achieve financial targets, manage nursery budgets, and monitor income and expenditure.
Oversee fee collection processes and manage outstanding charges professionally and sensitively.
Management and Leadership:
Motivate and inspire your nursery team.
Foster a positive, collaborative team culture that encourages high morale and staff engagement.
Conduct regular performance reviews, support senior/room leaders, and set clear goals, targets and expectations.
Promote a healthy work-life balance and implement wellbeing initiatives.
Identify training needs, support continuous professional development, and ensure all staff meet required qualifications and standards.
Teaching & Learning:
Create a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children flourish.
Lead the delivery of the EYFS curriculum with creativity and care.
Oversee planning, assessment, and evaluation to ensure high-quality learning experiences.
Support children with additional needs in collaboration with the Nursery Area Manager and external agencies.
Parent & Community Engagement:
Build strong, positive relationships with parents through regular communication, meetings, and events.
Ensure new families feel welcomed and supported from their first visit.
Represent the nursery with professionalism, warmth, and integrity at all times.
Foster strong relationships with families, ensuring open communication and trust.
Personal Qualities:
A warm, approachable, and child-centred leader.
Willingness to work flexibly as required around the needs of the nursery.
Passionate about creating a homely, happy, and high-achieving environment.
Resilient, proactive, and solutions focused.
A team player with a sense of humour and a “can-do” attitude.
Committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
Level 3, 4, or 5 qualification in Early Years (e.g., CACHE, NVQ).
Minimum 3 years’ experience in nursery management, ideally in a large setting (90+ occupancy).
Proven track record of delivering high standards in early years education and care.
Closing date (and time): 23/09/25 9am
Interview date: tbc
Commencement date: October/November 25
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.