Compass Associates
Senior Nursery Manager
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Senior Nursery Manager | Up to £65k
South East London | Flagship Nursery
We’re more than just a nursery group. We’re an innovative early-years education provider committed to transforming the way children learn, grow, and develop.
Our vision is to create inspiring environments that foster creativity, embrace a curriculum-led approach, and prepare children for the modern world. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Nursery Manager to join our leadership team and help bring this vision to life.
As a Senior Nursery Manager, you will lead a dedicated team of early-years professionals to deliver exceptional learning experiences, outstanding customer service, and a positive team culture. You will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the nursery, ensuring high standards of education, safeguarding, compliance, and performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Create a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment where children, families, and colleagues can thrive.
- Lead and inspire your team to deliver high-quality education in line with the organisation’s pedagogy and curriculum.
- Recruit, develop, support, and retain a talented and motivated team.
- Take responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead where required.
- Take ownership of nursery performance, balancing commercial objectives with quality and educational outcomes.
- Oversee health and safety, risk assessments, regulatory compliance, and EYFS requirements.
- Build strong relationships with parents, carers, local organisations, and other key partners.
- Represent the nursery positively within the local community.
- Drive continuous improvement, ensuring practice remains innovative, engaging, and of an exceptionally high standard.
- Lead with positivity, flexibility, and enthusiasm while supporting the wider organisation’s strategic objectives.
About You
The successful candidate will ideally have:
- At least two years’ experience as a Nursery Manager.
- Experience working within a large nursery or multi-site environment is desirable.
- Proven experience recruiting, developing, and retaining early-years staff.
- Strong knowledge of local authority and regulatory requirements, including inspection processes.
- Experience managing budgets, staffing levels, capacity, team deployment, performance, and operational reporting.
- A strong track record of delivering excellent customer service and building positive parent relationships.
- A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above. A Level 6 qualification would be desirable.
- Current Paediatric First Aid and/or First Aid at Work certification, with a commitment to maintaining compliance.
- Relevant safeguarding and child protection training, with a willingness to undertake regular updates.
- A genuine passion for early-years education and improving outcomes for children.
- Excellent decision-making, leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
- The ability to set and achieve ambitious operational and strategic goals.
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Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary of approximately £55,000–£65,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Performance-related bonus of up to 25% of base salary, plus an additional potential bonus.
- Employee share or partnership scheme.
- Generous annual leave entitlement, including additional wellbeing/personal days and a company Christmas closure.
- Annual learning and development allowance.
- Access to funded professional development and training programmes.
- Enhanced parental, fostering, and neonatal leave following qualifying service.
- Employee childcare discount and emergency childcare support.
- Long-service rewards and additional paid leave.
- Leadership conferences and professional networking opportunities.
- Coaching and mentoring programmes.
- Employee referral scheme.
- Discounts across retail, groceries, fitness, travel, and other services.
- Season ticket loans and cycle-to-work schemes.
- Team events, wellbeing initiatives, and fitness benefits.
- Opportunities for career progression within a growing early-years organisation.
About the Nursery
The nursery is a large, purposefully designed early-years setting offering an inspiring environment for learning, creativity, and exploration.
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The setting is well connected by local public transport and provides a welcoming environment for children, families, and staff.
About the Organisation
We are an established and growing early-years education provider with a strong focus on innovation, high-quality teaching, employee development, and positive outcomes for children.
We are committed to creating an outstanding workplace where our people feel valued, supported, and empowered to progress their careers.
If you are an experienced Nursery Manager who is passionate about early-years education, leadership, safeguarding, and creating exceptional experiences for children and families, we would love to hear from you.
Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment
The organisation is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable individuals. We follow all relevant legislation, regulatory guidance, and safer recruitment practices.
As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be subject to appropriate online and social media checks. Any relevant information identified may be discussed during the interview process.
Because the role involves regulated activity with children, the successful candidate will be required to complete the appropriate Enhanced DBS and barred-list checks, alongside other relevant pre-employment and safer recruitment checks.
Employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of all required checks and clearances.
Location
This role is based in South East London, with excellent transport links across London.
Commutable from Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley, Bexley, Eltham, Woolwich, Sidcup, Dartford, Croydon, Peckham & Dulwich.
References
Compass Associates is acting as a recruitment partner on this position. If this role isn’t right for you but you know someone who would be a great fit, we offer £500 in vouchers for every successful recommendation.
Contact Details
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Roberto on 023 9421 4486 or email ramos@compassltd.co.uk.
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