Nursery Manager

Join Our Team as a Nursery Manager!

Location: Small People Nursery, Cropwell Bishop, Nottingham, NG12 3BN, UK

Position: Permanent - Full Time | 40 Hours Per Week

Salary: £42,500 (depending on experience) + Quarterly Bonus Scheme worth £3,000 per year*

Are you an experienced Nursery Manager ready to lead a nurturing environment where you are trusted, supported, and genuinely valued? If so, Small People Nursery is looking for you!

As a confident and experienced Nursery Manager, you will have the opportunity to shape a positive, high-quality environment for children, families, and your team. This role is perfect for a strong Early Years leader who thrives on developing teams, driving standards, and fostering a culture where both children and staff can flourish.

At Small People Nursery, we embrace a unique, outdoor-based approach to early years education, following a robust Forest School philosophy. Here, children are encouraged to explore, play, and learn in a natural setting, spending most of their time outdoors, regardless of the weather!

If you take pride in running a happy, organized nursery and leading a team that enjoys being part of something special, we would love to hear from you!

What We Offer:

• Quarterly bonus scheme worth up to £3,000 per year*
• 75% childcare discount
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and your birthday off
• Genuine progression opportunities within a growing group
• Supportive and approachable senior leadership team
• Employee wellbeing & assistance programme
• Refer a friend bonus up to £750
• Well-resourced nursery with a positive team culture

*Terms and conditions apply.

Your Role:

As the Nursery Manager, you will oversee the daily operations of the nursery while maintaining high standards throughout the setting. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating, and developing your nursery team
• Ensuring compliance with EYFS and safeguarding regulations
• Building strong partnerships with parents
• Driving occupancy and overall nursery performance
• Leading Ofsted preparation and inspections
• Supporting staff development and wellbeing
• Creating a positive, professional team culture

This is a hands-on leadership role where your experience, leadership style, and decision-making will make a genuine impact every day.

What We’re Looking For:

Essential:

• Full and relevant Level 3 Childcare qualification
• Previous Nursery Management experience
• Strong knowledge of EYFS and safeguarding
• Experience leading teams within Early Years
• Passion for delivering high-quality childcare and education

Desirable:

• Level 5 qualification in Childcare, Leadership, or Management
• Experience achieving Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes

Ready to Apply?

If you’re looking for a Nursery Manager role where you can lead confidently, feel supported, and genuinely enjoy coming to work, we would love to speak with you!

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate will be required for all posts, and this position will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our Safeguarding Duty.

Small People Nursery is part of the Family First Group, where we treat everyone with respect and equality. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices for all children and families, regardless of their background.