Nursery Manager

Unimed Trading Ltd; Walton-On-Thames; On-site; GBP 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's nursery in Walton-On-Thames is seeking a dedicated Nursery Manager to oversee operations and ensure high standards of care. The role demands excellent knowledge in early years education and a commitment to leading a collaborative team environment. Competitive salary of up to £58,000 plus bonuses, along with diverse benefits including childcare discounts and career support.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Childcare discounts

Well-being support

Career development opportunities

Quarterly performance bonuses

Qualifications

• Proven understanding of typical child development stages.
• Experience with safeguarding, health & safety policies.
• Ability to perform audits and meet key person requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nursery's daily operations and management.
• Drive continuous improvement and strategic initiatives.
• Cultivate collaboration among staff and families.

Skills

Knowledge of 'Birth to 5 Matters'

Understanding of EYFS

Excellent communication

Education

L3 or above Early Years qualification

Minimum grade 4/C in Maths and English GCSE

Job description

Nursery Manager

Location: Walton on Thames

Salary: Up to £58,000, with the potential to earn an additional £6,000 in bonuses

Hours: 41.25 hours

Reports to: Regional manager

What You'll Be Doing

• Be All In: You lead with unwavering commitment, ensuring the nursery operates to the highest standards of care, compliance, and professionalism, while championing the well‑being of children, families, and staff.
• Come Together: You cultivate strong collaboration across the nursery, building trusted relationships with your team, families, and the wider community to create a united, values‑led environment.
• Be Yourself: You bring confident self‑awareness to your leadership, modelling reflective practice, supporting individual growth, and creating a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
• Go Further: You demonstrate bold ambition by driving continuous improvement, leading strategic initiatives, and aligning the nursery with Fennies' mission, vision, and long‑term goals.

What You Bring

• Excellent knowledge of 'Birth to 5 Matters', typical child development stages, and a sound understanding of the EYFS
• Full and relevant L3 or above Early Years qualification
• Have a minimum grade 4 or grade C in Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent)
• The correct implementation, audits, and requirements for the key person, safeguarding, health & safety, and confidentiality systems are met
• How to safely administer medication, First Aid, and critical care policies
• The preparations and responsibilities before Ofsted visits
• How to derive the solution for resolving issues and complaints as per Fennies' policies and procedures
• How to achieve the KPIs in your setting and ensure they are in line with Fennies' mission statement

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Pay & Perks: Salaries that match or outshine our competitors, a comprehensive pension scheme, and exclusive staff childcare discounts of up to 75% when you enrol your children at Fennies.
• Leadership Community: Regular manager meetings to discuss, innovate, and socialise, with tailored learning and development sessions, mentoring, and coaching to help you grow as a leader.
• Career Development: Targeted development plans, approachable managers, and bespoke guidance from our educational experts and specialists to support your professional journey.
• Personalised Induction: A structured onboarding experience including 1:1 Clifton Strengths coaching to help you identify and build on your unique strengths as a manager.
• Well‑being Support: Access to well‑being benefits, including our BUPA support team, team incentives, and up to 33 days of annual leave to help you recharge and thrive.
• Celebration & Connection: Enjoy events that bring us together; summer BBQs in the sunshine and a Christmas party to remember!
• Performance Recognition: £750 quarterly performance bonuses to reward your commitment and impact.
• Daily Dining: The Fennies Café offers a great range of choices to replace your daily lunchbox, completely free.
• Fennies Club: Celebrate your length of service with thoughtful recognition, including gift cards and commemorative plaques, as part of our commitment to honour your dedication.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Fennies, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. A diverse workforce brings a wealth of perspectives, driving innovation and excellence. We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Legal & Safety Notice

Fennies Nurseries is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced criminal record check, and proof of identity will be required. In line with Safer Recruitment and Keeping Everyone Safe, we also carry out online searches for all shortlisted candidates, including Google and Social Media checks. Any relevant information found may be discussed during the interview process.