3. Quality of care, learning & safeguarding

• Ensure all staff understand and follow the nursery's safeguarding, child-protection, behaviour, health and safety, equality, confidentiality and whistleblowing procedures.
• Lead the implementation of the applicable early-years framework and all relevant legal, regulatory and registration requirements.
• Monitor children's progress, care routines and individual needs; ensure timely support and appropriate partnership working where additional needs are identified.
• Use observations, parent feedback, staff supervision, audits and action plans to improve the quality of care and early learning.
• Ensure the nursery provides an inclusive environment that respects every child's background, culture, language, disability, health needs and family circumstances.

4. Marketing, enquiries & child enrolment

• Develop and deliver a launch marketing plan using the nursery website, social media, local partnerships, community activity, printed materials, open days and parent recommendations.
• Present the nursery professionally to prospective families; respond promptly to enquiries, arrange informative tours and explain the nursery's offer, fees, availability and registration process clearly.
• Manage an accurate enquiry log, waiting list and occupancy forecast by room and age group, using this information to guide recruitment and marketing activity.
• Oversee a welcoming, compliant enrolment process, including registration, contracts, permissions, child and family information, health and allergy details, and personalised settling-in plans.
• Build positive parent relationships from first contact onward and encourage feedback, referrals and retention through clear communication and consistently good service.
• Set and review realistic enrolment and occupancy targets with the Proprietor / Director, taking action promptly where places are not filling as planned.

5. Finance, administration & partnerships

• Support accurate fee collection, banking, petty-cash control and budget monitoring in line with nursery procedures.
• Manage stock, ordering and inventory responsibly, ensuring resources are suitable, safe and cost-effective.
• Develop productive links with families, local early-years services, schools, community organisations and relevant professional agencies.
• Chair staff meetings, maintain clear action notes and ensure agreed actions are completed.

Success measures

First year

• A safe, welcoming nursery opens with the required staffing, systems, resources and records in place.
• All staff complete induction and demonstrate understanding of safeguarding, policies and their responsibilities.
• Recruitment is timely, safer-recruitment checks are complete, and staffing is matched to children's attendance and needs.
• Families receive timely responses, high-quality visits and a smooth registration and settling-in experience.
• Enrolment and occupancy grow in line with the agreed business plan while quality of care remains high.

Person profile

Essential

• Relevant early-years leadership experience and a sound understanding of high-quality childcare practice.
• Demonstrable ability to lead, recruit, motivate and develop a staff team.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and commitment to safer working practices.
• Excellent communication, organisation, record-keeping and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence in marketing a childcare service, meeting families and converting enquiries into successful enrolments.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, professionalism and continuous improvement.

How to apply

Apply online with your CV and a short note about yourself at lilysnursery.co.uk/careers/nursery-manager. We read every application and reply to each one.

This description should be read alongside Lily's Nursery and Daycare policies, employment terms and the regulatory requirements that apply to the nursery's location.

Lily's Nursery and Daycare

3 North Star Boulevard, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9UG

Mon–Fri 7:30am–6:30pm

recruitment@lilysnursery.co.uk