Nursery Manager - £1000 Welcome Scheme

WCI Brokerage; Rugby; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare service provider in Rugby is looking for a passionate Nursery Manager to lead their team and deliver exceptional care and education. You will manage nursery operations and inspire staff while ensuring compliance with educational standards. The ideal candidate will have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and relevant management experience. This role offers a competitive salary, a £1000 welcome bonus, and excellent benefits including free childcare and career development.

Benefits

£1000 Welcome Bonus

33 days of holiday

Free childcare for the first month

Discretionary Annual Bonus

Mental Health Workshops

Career Development

Wellbeing Support

Volunteer Day

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing teams within a childcare setting.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and motivate.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage nursery team to deliver high-quality care.
• Oversee nursery operations and compliance.
• Build positive relationships with families and external agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

EYFS framework knowledge

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Join Our Team as a Nursery Manager

We offer a £1000 Welcome Bonus! Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact on children's lives? At Houlton we are looking for a passionate Nursery Manager to lead our vibrant team and deliver exceptional care and education.

To be considered for this role you must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification (or higher). The successful candidate must possess strong leadership skills, with proven management experience in a Nursery setting, and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

Please note: we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and inspire your nursery team to deliver high‑quality care and education with pride and energy.
• Create a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports children's all‑round development and meets individual needs.
• Build positive relationships with families, colleagues, and external agencies to ensure the best outcomes for children.
• Oversee nursery operations, including staff schedules, budgets, health and safety, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Act as a mentor, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and supporting the professional development of your team.
• Promote the ethos and values of The Old Station Nursery, ensuring they are deeply embedded in daily practice.
• Take responsibility for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and safety across the nursery.
• Confidently lead inspections and maintain accurate records to ensure compliance with the EYFS framework and Ofsted standards.

What You'll Bring To The Role

• Proven experience in managing and inspiring teams within a childcare setting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the EYFS framework and best practices in early years education.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor, motivate, and drive a team towards excellence.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills to build positive partnerships with families and staff.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with a passion for creating brighter futures for children.

Benefits and Compensation

• £1000 WELCOME BONUS!
• Free childcare for the first month and a 52% discount (based on working hours) to support your family.
• 33 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus a Christmas closure week and your birthday off.
• Discretionary Annual Bonus: An additional performance‑based reward, given at the company's discretion, to recognise great work and team contribution.
• Self‑Space Mental Health Workshops: Short, practical sessions that help managers identify mental health concerns and confidently support their teams.
• Career Development: Access to The National College full of training and courses.
• Exclusive Discounts & Wellbeing Support: Enjoy Perkbox discounts and wellbeing tools.
• Recognition & Rewards: Refer a friend or family for exciting bonuses and celebrate milestones with long‑service awards.
• Volunteer Day: 1 paid day off per year to volunteer and give back to the community.

Pay: Up to £40,000 per annum (40 hrs per week) – Plus Discretionary Annual Bonus.

Working Hours: 40 hrs per week – Flexible Shifts Mon‑Fri (4 x 10hr days 8am‑6pm with 1 weekday off / or 3 x 10hr days 8am‑6pm with 2 × half days 8am‑1pm or 1pm‑6pm).

Location: The Old Station Nursery, Houlton, Dollman Farm, Houlton, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 1AL.

About Our Nursery

The nursery in Rugby is a carefully planned, purpose‑built environment offering a stimulating and engaging learning setting for our community's children. Opened at the end of 2021, it features a light and airy interior and an allotment space to foster sustainable planting and growing. The Old Station Nursery Houlton is close to Houlton Play Park, the new Co‑op, and provides easy access to the main Crick Road with a car park beside.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and verification of your right to work in the UK and any essential qualifications. If successful, our recruitment and compliance team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to ensure fairness and accessibility for all candidates.