Willing Care Recruitment Limited

Senior Nursery Manager

St Albans

Key information

Pay
Salary not listed
Hours
Full-time
Contract
Permanent
Posted date
17 Jul 2026
Closing date
16 Aug 2026

About this role

Senior Nursery Manager

£40,000–£45,000 per year | Level 3 | Full Time

Exceptional early years leadership is about creating a nursery where children feel at home, families feel confident, and teams feel inspired to do their best work.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Nursery Manager to take the lead within a Good Ofsted-rated nursery that is part of an award-winning nursery group. The service is looking for an established leader with at least two years' experience as a Nursery Manager who can bring confidence, experience, and a genuine passion for delivering high-quality early years education.

At the heart of the nursery is a simple philosophy: children learn best when they feel happy, safe, and secure. The setting offers a welcoming home-from-home environment where children are encouraged to develop at their own pace, build confidence, and become strong, independent learners.

As Senior Nursery Manager, you'll set the tone for the entire nursery. You'll lead and develop your team, champion exceptional practice, and ensure children and families continue to receive the high standards of care and education they expect.

What We're Looking For

  • Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
  • A minimum of two years' experience as a Nursery Manager.
  • Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework, safeguarding, child protection, and Ofsted requirements.
  • Proven experience leading, motivating, and developing successful nursery teams.
  • Confidence driving quality improvement and maintaining high standards across a busy early years setting.
  • Excellent communication, organisational, and decision-making skills.
  • A strong understanding of the operational requirements of managing a nursery.
  • A warm and approachable leadership style with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.

What You'll Receive

  • Salary of £40,000–£45,000 per year
  • Day off on your birthday
  • Discounted childcare
  • Pension scheme
  • Sick pay
  • Benefits portal
  • Comprehensive health and wellbeing package
  • Ongoing training and professional development
  • Opportunity to join an award-winning nursery group
  • Excellent opportunities for continued career development and progression

Your Role

  • Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of the nursery.
  • Inspire, motivate, and develop the team to deliver consistently high standards of care and education.
  • Maintain and build upon the nursery's Good Ofsted rating, driving continuous improvement across the setting.
  • Create a positive working culture where practitioners feel supported, valued, and encouraged to develop.
  • Ensure the nursery operates in line with the EYFS framework, safeguarding legislation, and all regulatory requirements.
  • Oversee recruitment, inductions, supervisions, and professional development.
  • Build trusted relationships with children, parents, families, and external professionals.
  • Monitor the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring every child receives the support they need to flourish.
  • Lead with confidence while maintaining the warm, nurturing, home-from-home atmosphere that makes the nursery special.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with safeguarding responsibilities.

Reference

WILL247706/DB

INDCHI