Compass Associates
Nursery 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
?%
Nursery Manager | Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
Up to £53,634 | Full Time
We are proud to be recruiting for an experienced Nursery Manager to lead a purpose-built nursery in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a manager who wants genuine ownership of a setting, the chance to lead a strong team, and the opportunity to build on an exciting and well-equipped nursery.
The Nursery
The setting provides care for children aged 3 months to 5 years, with capacity for up to 108 children. Purpose-built and designed with children's development and wellbeing in mind, the nursery consists of six rooms, including three baby rooms, two toddler rooms, and a large pre-school room. There’s plenty to work with, including:
- Three spacious baby rooms and two toddler rooms, each with direct access to outdoor areas
- A dedicated all-weather baby terrace on the first floor
- A large, well-designed garden with a forest and growing area
- Dedicated spaces for relaxation and calm
- Sensory play and water play
- Role-play kitchens
- A large pre-school room focused on school readiness
- On-site chef and freshly prepared, nutritious meals
- On-site parking
- Purpose-built facilities designed around children's learning, play, and development
The nursery was last inspected by Ofsted in 2026 and was rated Expected Standard.
The Role
This is much more than managing the day-to-day operation. You’ll be the key leader within the nursery, responsible for the team, quality, safeguarding, parent relationships, and overall performance.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Leading, developing, and retaining the team
- Building a strong, positive nursery culture
- Driving quality and continuous improvement
- Maintaining excellent safeguarding standards and acting as DSL
- Developing strong EYFS practice and pedagogy
- Preparing and developing the team for Ofsted
- Building great relationships with parents and carers
- Supporting recruitment and developing future leaders
- Driving occupancy and FTE growth
- Understanding the commercial performance of the setting
- Managing staffing and costs effectively within ratio requirements
- Working closely with your Regional Director and wider support functions
- Creating an environment where children, parents, and colleagues can thrive
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.
Who are we looking for?
An experienced Nursery Manager with strong leadership, safeguarding, EYFS, and Ofsted knowledge. You might be someone who has successfully strengthened a team, improved quality and consistency, prepared a nursery for inspection, or driven occupancy and commercial performance.
Equally, you may have experience leading an already successful nursery and have the ambition to take it to the next level. What matters most is that you’re confident leading people, can identify what needs improving, and have the ability to bring your team with you.
You’ll understand that successful Ofsted preparation is about more than knowing the answers — it’s about developing a team that understands and can confidently articulate the quality of their practice.
For the right Nursery Manager, this is an opportunity to make a real impact. That could mean:
- Building a stronger, more engaged team
- Improving consistency and accountability
- Strengthening the nursery's culture and reputation
- Developing high-quality EYFS practice and pedagogy
- Preparing and developing the team for Ofsted
- Driving occupancy and FTE growth
- Improving commercial performance
- Or simply taking an already successful setting and moving it to the next level
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
If you enjoy walking into a nursery, understanding what needs to change, and then seeing the results of your leadership, this could be an excellent opportunity.
What's on offer?
Up to £53,634, depending on experience and qualifications.
Plus:
- Enhanced performance and Ofsted-related bonus opportunity
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Paid Christmas closure
- Option to purchase additional annual leave
- 100% childcare discount for your first child
- Enhanced parental leave
- Pension
- 24/7 virtual GP access
- Financial and wellbeing benefits
- Early access to wages
- Professional development programmes
- Access to a careers coach
- Strong regional and specialist support
- Support from Regional Directors, Early Childhood Specialists, HR, Talent Acquisition, and wider central teams
You’ll also have the opportunity to work alongside other experienced Nursery Managers across the region, giving you a strong network of support and shared expertise.
Location
This role is based in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, with good transport links and easy access to the surrounding areas. Commutable from Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Stansted, Ware, Hertford, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Epping, Broxbourne, and surrounding areas.
“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