Nursery Manager

Summary

Farleigh School is seeking a motivated and experienced Nursery Manager to join us in January 2026, ahead of the exciting launch of our brand-new nursery in September 2026.

Detail

Farleigh School is seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated and motivated Nursery Manager to join us at a truly exciting time. With the planned opening of our brand-new nursery in September 2026, we are seeking to appoint a Nursery Manager from January 2026 to lead on preparations and operational planning, ensuring the nursery continues to reflect the established ethos and high standards of the wider school community.

The new nursery space will be in its own dedicated building with outside space, close to the large Pre-Prep woods for Forest School play, and with the extensive Farleigh grounds on the doorstep of the nursery building. This is a new venture with a chance to evolve and develop a successful all round nursery within a successful independent school. We are excited to bring the Farleigh ethos to even the youngest of children “this is where it all begins”. With close links to the Kindergarten and Pre-Prep, we believe that the new Farleigh nursery will bring something special for both children and nursery staff.

The Nursery Manager will be responsible for the smooth day-to-day operation of the nursery. With extensive experience in Early Years education and a strong background in managing Early Years settings, you will bring a thorough understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, relevant policies, and safeguarding requirements. Confident in your leadership abilities, you will line manage the Deputy Manager and other Early Years practitioners, ensuring high standards of care and education are consistently maintained.

Hours and Work Pattern:

We are seeking an individual to work full-time, all year round to start in January 2026:

• Monday - Friday 7.30am - 6.00pm

Particular Tasks & Responsibilities:

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children, ensuring full compliance with school safeguarding policies.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Nursery.
• Ensure all staff understand and follow safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant legislation, including Health & Safety, Food Safety, and EYFS standards.
• Implement the school’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy across all Nursery operations.

Leadership & Management

• Oversee the daily running of the Nursery, including staff rotas, session bookings, and holiday cover.
• Recruit, induct, train, and appraise Nursery staff, ensuring high-quality childcare and education.
• Line manage Nursery staff and liaise with other departments (e.g. HR, IT, Maintenance, Catering).
• Foster a positive, professional team culture and support staff development through training plans and performance reviews.

Childcare & Education

• Ensure a child-centred, inclusive environment that meets individual needs within a group setting.
• Deliver rich, age-appropriate learning experiences aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Support children with special educational needs and promote inclusive practices.
• Work with the Kindergarten Coordinator to ensure smooth transitions for children moving into Kindergarten.
• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, and external agencies.

Quality Assurance & Inspections

• Lead on quality assurance and continuous improvement through self-evaluation and reflective practice.
• Prepare for and support inspections by regulatory bodies, implementing any recommendations.
• Ensure accurate reporting on occupancy, quality, and standards.

Finance & Administration

• Work with the Finance department to manage Early Years Funding and staff costs within budget.
• Maintain accurate records for attendance, bookings, and financial reporting.
• Manage administrative tasks including inventory, equipment orders, and personnel records.

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with the Marketing team to promote the Nursery and School within the local community.
• Represent the Nursery at events and engage with prospective and current families.

Health & Safety

• Ensure a safe environment for children, staff, and visitors.
• Lead on emergency, safeguarding, and security procedures, including during school holidays.
• Ensure staff hold appropriate first aid qualifications and training is up to date.
• Liaise with the Estates Bursar and Maintenance team to maintain a safe working environment.

General Duties

• Organise staff rotas, holidays, and breaks.
• Manage bookings for additional sessions and flexible term-time options.
• Resolve complaints and concerns promptly, reporting to the Head of Pre-Prep and Head of School as appropriate.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by management.

The ideal candidate will have:

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience in a childcare setting
• At least 3 years’ experience in a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager role
• NVQ level 3 in Childcare (or above)
• GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade 4/5 or equivalent preferred)

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and its practical application
• Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Proven experience in delivering high-quality learning opportunities for children aged 0–5
• Confident in leading, mentoring, and motivating a team, with a hands-on leadership style
• Excellent planning, organisational, and time management skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, parents, colleagues, and external agencies
• Sound understanding of nursery operations and compliance requirements

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about early childhood development and committed to delivering outstanding care and education
• Supportive, approachable, and highly organised
• A team player with a proactive, “can-do” attitude
• High attention to detail and a commitment to continuous improvement
• A sense of humour, resilience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure

Documents

• Nursery Manager - Candidate Information Pack PDF Document
• Farleigh Academic Staff Application Form DOCX Document