Acorn Early Years
Nursery Manager - Cold Harbour Day Nursery & Nature Kindergarten
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Nursery Manager
Acorn Childcare - Cold Harbour Day Nursery & Nature Kindergarten
Full Time
£37,440-£48,256 Per annum/£18-£23 Per hour
Leadership Opportunity
Are you an experienced Nursery Manager looking for an exciting opportunity to lead a nursery that has a strong outdoor learning ethos? At Acorn Cold Harbour, we are passionate about providing exceptional early years experiences that inspire curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Nursery Manager to lead our talented team and continue driving outstanding outcomes for children, families, and staff.
About Acorn Cold Harbour
At the heart of Acorn Cold Harbour is our day nursery, where babies and young children receive high-quality care and early education in warm, welcoming rooms. Guided by our relational pedagogy, experienced practitioners build secure, respectful relationships with every child and respond thoughtfully to their routines, interests, strengths, and stage of development. Alongside the nursery, our dedicated Nature Kindergarten and Outdoor Learning Centre gives children regular opportunities to explore, wonder, and develop a lasting connection with the natural world.
Children enjoy a broad, play-based EYFS curriculum shaped by caring relationships, close observation, and their own curiosity. Practitioners plan meaningful experiences across the nursery rooms and natural outdoor spaces, supporting communication and language, physical development, creativity, confidence, and independence. By adapting environments, routines, and experiences to remove barriers to participation, we help every child engage in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them.
Throughout the nursery and Nature Kindergarten, we create a genuine home-from-home environment founded on an ethic of care, where children receive consistent, nurturing support and families are valued as partners. Our inclusive approach recognises that every child is unique: practitioners listen carefully to children and families, work with relevant professionals where appropriate, and tailor transitions, communication, resources, and learning experiences to individual needs. In this way, every child is supported to feel safe, respected, and included, to develop a sense of belonging and connection to nature, and to thrive and reach their full potential.
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The Role
As Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for the overall leadership and daily operation of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care, education, safeguarding, and compliance are maintained on a daily basis.
You will lead and inspire your team to deliver exceptional early years experiences, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional development.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead and inspire a positive, inclusive, safe, and supportive nursery culture.
- Support, coach, and develop staff through supervision, appraisals, and ongoing training.
- Promote high standards of practice in line with the EYFS framework.
- Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and care.
Children’s Learning & Development
- Deliver and promote high-quality, play-based learning experiences.
- Ensure every child receives individualised support to help them flourish.
- Create engaging and enabling environments that reflect children’s interests and needs.
- Monitor and support children’s progress through meaningful observation and assessment.
Family & Community Engagement
- Build strong partnerships with parents and carers.
- Work collaboratively with health professionals and community organizations.
- Support families with empathy, understanding, and professionalism.
- Promote inclusion and equal opportunities for all children, families, and staff team.
Safeguarding and Compliance
- Lead a strong safeguarding culture across the nursery.
- Ensure all policies, procedures, and statutory requirements are met.
- Support staff to identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure operational compliance at all times.
Nursery Operations
- Oversee occupancy, staffing, budgets, and day-to-day administration.
- Ensure the nursery operates efficiently, safely, and sustainably.
- Manage parent feedback and resolve concerns effectively.
- Prepare for and support Ofsted Inspections.
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About You
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager.
- Strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Passion for delivering high-quality, child-centred care and education.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding culture and responsibilities.
Desirable
- A passion for supporting outdoor play and learning.
- Forest School experience or willingness to seek training.
Why Join Acorn?
At Acorn, we believe our people are our greatest asset. When you join us, you'll become part of a supportive organisation that values innovation, professional development, and wellbeing. In return, we offer:
- Competitive pay scales, reviewed annually.
- 65% childcare discount (pro rata).
- Enhanced pension scheme.
- Generous family leave provisions.
- Christmas closure period.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday, with the option to buy additional leave.
- Four dedicated training days each year.
- Individual development plans and career progression opportunities.
- Cycle to Work Scheme and Tech Scheme.
- Length of Service Awards.
- Summer and Christmas celebrations.
- Pay advance support when needed.
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
Safer Recruitment
At Acorn, we're committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Have the right to work in the UK.
- Provide two satisfactory references, with at least one being from the most recent employer.
- Complete an Enhanced DBS check or provide relevant information if you are on the DBS update service.
- To share information of any Social Care, LADO, or Police involvement in the past or at present.
Ready to make a difference?
If you are an inspiring leader who is passionate about early years education, outdoor learning, and developing high-performing teams, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future for children at Acorn Cold Harbour.
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