Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools
Early Years Manager
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Early Years Manager
We’re looking for an experienced Early Years Manager to lead our Happy Days Nursery & Preschool in Portsmouth. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact by shaping a high-quality, learning environment where children can thrive, while building a rewarding leadership career within a supportive and forward-thinking organisation at an exciting time of growth.
Early Years Manager
Up to £39,000 per annum, generous onboarding bonus plus performance related bonus
Portsmouth
Full-time
We offer a supportive and flexible working environment designed to help you succeed in your role while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As a leader within the nursery, you’ll be empowered to shape both your team’s success and your own professional journey.
You’ll lead the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care and education. By inspiring your team and fostering strong relationships with families, you’ll create a safe, engaging, and stimulating environment where every child can flourish.
Why join us?
- Portsmouth nursery is a well-established nursery with a strong community presence and a dedicated team. The nursery is entering an exciting new phase, focused on strengthening leadership, enhancing quality, and building an environment where both children and staff can truly thrive.
- This is a great opportunity to take on a key leadership role within a growing setting. With increased interest in the local area and continued development plans, you’ll play a central role in shaping the nursery’s future and making a lasting difference.
- We invest in you as much as you invest in the children and your team. You’ll benefit from structured training, leadership mentoring, and clear progression pathways, supporting your continued growth and career advancement.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What you’ll do:
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursery in line with EYFS and Ofsted standards
- Lead, motivate, and develop a team of practitioners to deliver outstanding childcare
- Manage budgets, staffing, and resources effectively
- Build strong relationships with parents, carers, and the local community
- Drive continuous improvement and maintain a safe, nurturing environment
What we’re looking for:
- Level 3 (or above) qualification in Early Years/Childcare
- Proven leadership experience in an early years setting
- Strong knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements
- Excellent organisational, communication, and people management skills
- A proactive, approachable leadership style and passion for high-quality care
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
We're building a workplace where our colleagues thrive
We offer a range of meaningful benefits designed to support your wellbeing, professional growth, and work-life balance. Our benefits aren’t just perks, they’re part of a culture that puts people first and we continue to build our range of benefits designed to support health, wellbeing and satisfaction of our workforce. Some of these include:
- Pension & Life Assurance
- Performance related bonus
- In addition to 20 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays and more!
- An additional day each year to celebrate something personal to you
- Funded DBS Update Service
- Funded Blue Light Card Membership
- Access to digital GP 24/7 with on-demand counselling services
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing services through the SPARK APP
- Recognition and celebration for Long Service
Subject to eligibility criteria
Up to an additional four gifted days off during Christmas closedown, an additional four days to your annual leave entitlement, pro rata
Safeguarding commitment:
Happy Days Nurseries are committed to the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care. All successful candidates will undergo the required vetting process.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills