Floating Nursery Manager 12 Month Cover and Regional Role

Willing Recruitment; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Discounted childcare

Annual leave

Parental leave

Training and development

Multi-site management

Job summary

Willing Recruitment is seeking an experienced Nursery Manager to lead an established setting on a 12-month cover contract in Hampshire. The role provides a clear path to a Floating Nursery Manager position across Hampshire and Surrey, with progression opportunities.

The setting offers spacious learning areas, including an art studio and reading corners, plus a large garden for exploration. You will drive high standards of care, EYFS compliance and Ofsted readiness.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Previous experience as a Nursery Manager is essential.
• Proven experience leading and managing an Early Years setting.
• Strong experience with Ofsted inspections, ideally with Good or Outstanding outcomes.
• Excellent knowledge of the EYFS framework and Early Years best practice.
• Strong safeguarding, child protection and regulatory knowledge.
• Experience leading, developing and retaining high-performing nursery teams.
• Confidence managing performance and addressing areas requiring improvement.
• Strong quality assurance and continuous improvement experience.
• Good operational understanding, including staffing, occupancy and the wider commercial needs of a nursery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful day-to-day operation of the nursery.
• Provide visible, supportive and accountable leadership across the setting.
• Recruit, motivate, coach and develop the Early Years team.
• Maintain consistently high standards of care, education and safeguarding.
• Ensure the EYFS is implemented effectively across all rooms.
• Monitor quality and introduce improvements where opportunities are identified.
• Maintain strong Ofsted readiness and confidently lead the setting through inspections.
• Build positive relationships with children, families and external professionals.
• Oversee staffing, occupancy and operational performance.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Nursery management

Ofsted

EYFS knowledge

Team leadership

Safeguarding

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Willing Recruitment is seeking an experienced Nursery Manager to lead an established setting on a 12-month cover contract in Hampshire. The role provides a clear path to a Floating Nursery Manager position across Hampshire and Surrey, with progression opportunities.

The setting offers spacious learning areas, including an art studio and reading corners, plus a large garden for exploration. You will drive high standards of care, EYFS compliance and Ofsted readiness.