Early Years Manager

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension & Life Assurance

Performance related bonus

20 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

Personal day off

Funded DBS Update Service

Funded Blue Light Card Membership

Access to digital GP 24/7 with on‑d​em

Extensive Health & Wellbeing support

Long service recognition

Job summary

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools in Portsmouth is seeking an experienced Early Years Manager to lead our nursery. You will steer daily operations, uphold high standards of care, and drive continuous improvement in a supportive, growth‑minded organisation.

You’ll inspire your team, foster strong relationships with families, and shape both the service and your professional journey through structured training and progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in an early years setting.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and people management skills.
• A proactive, approachable leadership style and passion for high-quality care.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day‑to‑day running of the nursery in line with EYFS and Ofsted standards.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of practitioners to deliver outstanding childcare.
• Manage budgets, staffing, and resources effectively.
• Build strong relationships with parents, carers, and the local community.
• Drive continuous improvement and maintain a safe, nurturing environment.

Skills

Leadership experience

EYFS knowledge

Budget management

People management

Communication

Education

Level 3 Early Years/Childcare

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Early Years Manager to lead our Happy Days Nursery & Preschool in Portsmouth. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact by shaping a high-quality, learning environment where children can thrive, while building a rewarding leadership career within a supportive and forward-thinking organisation at an exciting time of growth.

Early Years Manager

Up to £39,000 per annum, generous onboarding bonus plus performance related bonus

Portsmouth

Full-time

We offer a supportive and flexible working environment designed to help you succeed in your role while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As a leader within the nursery, you’ll be empowered to shape both your team’s success and your own professional journey.

You’ll lead the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care and education. By inspiring your team and fostering strong relationships with families, you’ll create a safe, engaging, and stimulating environment where every child can flourish.

Portsmouth nursery is a well-established nursery with a strong community presence and a dedicated team. The nursery is entering an exciting new phase, focused on strengthening leadership, enhancing quality, and building an environment where both children and staff can truly thrive.

This is a great opportunity to take on a key leadership role within a growing setting. With increased interest in the local area and continued development plans, you’ll play a central role in shaping the nursery’s future and making a lasting difference.

We invest in you as much as you invest in the children and your team. You’ll benefit from structured training, leadership mentoring, and clear progression pathways, supporting your continued growth and career advancement.

What you’ll do:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursery in line with EYFS and Ofsted standards
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of practitioners to deliver outstanding childcare
• Manage budgets, staffing, and resources effectively
• Build strong relationships with parents, carers, and the local community
• Drive continuous improvement and maintain a safe, nurturing environment

What we’re looking for:

• Level 3 (or above) qualification in Early Years/Childcare
• Proven leadership experience in an early years setting
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements
• Excellent organisational, communication, and people management skills
• A proactive, approachable leadership style and passion for high-quality care

We're building a workplace where our colleagues thrive

We offer a range of meaningful benefits designed to support your wellbeing, professional growth, and work-life balance. Our benefits aren’t just perks, they’re part of a culture that puts people first and we continue to build our range of benefits designed to support health, wellbeing and satisfaction of our workforce. Some of these include:

• Pension & Life Assurance
• Perfomance related bonus
• In addition to 20 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays and more!
• An additional day each year to celebrate something personal to you
• Funded DBS Update Service
• Funded Blue Light Card Membership
• Access to digital GP 24/7 with on-demand counselling services
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing services through the SPARK APP
• Recognition and celebration for Long Service

Subject to eligibility criteria

Up to an additional four gifted days off during Christmas closedown, an additional four days to your annual leave entitlement, pro rata

Safeguarding commitment:

Happy Days Nurseries are committed to the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care. All successful candidates will undergo the required vetting process.