Group Area Manager (Nominated Individual)

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hollybank Trustees Ltd in London is seeking a Group Area Manager (Nominated Individual) to strategically lead the nursery group, ensuring safeguarding culture and compliance across all settings, while achieving financial and educational targets.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, drive outstanding education, manage HR and recruitment, and collaborate with senior teams to deliver shared goals. Experience in Ofsted processes and SEN inclusion is essential.

Qualifications

• Full and Relevant Level 3 Qualification in Early Years Education.
• Full and Relevant Level 6 Qualification in Early Years Education.
• Certificate checks against the DfE Qualification Spreadsheet.
• Minimum 2 years’ Management experience and 3+ years’ Nursery experience.
• Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene Certificates provided at interview.
• Excellent knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted guidance.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for safeguarding across the group and uphold safeguarding culture.
• As Nominated Individual, hold authority for Ofsted registration matters.
• Ensure an outstanding level of education in all settings.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the group.
• Lead HR, recruitment, retention and HR issues across the group.
• Manage financial performance, budgets, occupancy and staff costs.
• Maintain strong parent relationships and high family retention.
• Collaborate with Principals and senior teams on targets and projects.
• Model Dukes values: We are a team, We love learning, We do it well, We lead with heart.

Skills

Management experience

Nursery experience

Safeguarding leadership

OFSTED guidance knowledge

Team leadership

Budgeting and financial oversight

HR and recruitment

SEN/Inclusion knowledge

Observation and reporting

Education

Level 3 Early Years Education

Level 6 Early Years Education

Paediatric First Aid

Food Hygiene Certificates

Tools

DfE Qualification Spreadsheet

Job description

Group Area Manager (Nominated Individual)

Manager

London, UK

Overview

Application

Date posted: August 28, 2026

Permanent

Full-time

Job Purpose:

To strategically lead and oversee the management of the nursery group, ensuring that children, parents, and the staff team work together to provide high quality childcare. To take overall responsibility and accountability for the culture of safeguarding and all decision making within the group. To ensure all settings in the group fulfil all legal and statutory requirements, meeting financial and educational targets as a result.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

Full and Relevant Level 3 Qualification in Early Years Education Full and Relevant Level 6 Qualification in Early Years Education Qualification Certificates to be checked against the DfE Qualification Spreadsheet. Minimum 2 years’ Management experience Minimum 3 years’ Nursery experience Paediatric First Aid / Food Hygiene Certificates provided at interview Excellent working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and current Ofsted statutory guidance. 2 years+ Management experience. Ability to coordinate in a specific specialist area e.g., SENCO Application form, CV and interview Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities. 3 years+ Nursery experience Knowledge of and commitment to child protection, health and safety, equal opportunities and SEN/Inclusion Designated Safeguarding Lead Experience of working as a key worker for a group of children and their families Ability to observe, assess, and report on children's behaviour

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accountable for the overall safeguarding of the children within the group and ensuring that the culture of safeguarding across all settings supports this
• When acting as Nominated Individual, holding a position of authority in the organisation, and maintain the relevant knowledge, experience and seniority to be held responsible and accountable for all matters relating to the setting’s Ofsted application and registration
• Responsible for ensuring an outstanding level of education in all settings
• Responsible for all day-to-day operations of the group
• Overall responsibility for the performance and development of all employees, including recruitment, retention, and monitoring of HR issues.
• Responsible for the financial performance of the group participating in annual review and ongoing management of budgets, occupancy, and staff costs
• Responsible for the delivery of excellent parent relationships and maintaining a high level of retention of our families.
• Work with the other Principals and senior teams in the group to deliver shared targets and projects.
• Approach every aspect of your role with the highest possible level of engagement and accountability, and aim to embody the Dukes values in everything that you do. These are; We are a team We love learning We do it well We lead with heart