Nursery Group Quality and Operations Lead

Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries; Dacorum; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Length of service recognition

Enhanced maternity pay

Private healthcare

YuLife

Flexible working

Conversion based incentive

Social events

Additional annual leave entitlements

Job summary

Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries is seeking a Nursery Group Quality and Operations Lead to drive quality and compliance across the UK network from Head Office. Hybrid role with regular travel to nursery sites.

You will coach nursery managers, audit teaching practices, monitor KPIs and oversee EYFS compliance, safeguarding and health and safety. You will partner with HR, Finance and Marketing to support continuous improvement across all settings.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Early Years Qualification (Full and Relevant).
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework.
• Experience working within early years settings.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Conduct audits of teaching practices and environments, producing clear action plans.
• Maintain accurate records using platforms such as Monday.com and SharePoint.
• Attend industry events and networks to support quality across sites.
• Manage nursery visit schedules and monitor KPI performance.
• Coach and support Nursery Managers to deliver operational excellence.
• Oversee compliance with EYFS, safeguarding and health & safety requirements.
• Develop and implement Quality Support Plans for weak sites.
• Collaborate with Head Office (HR, Finance, Marketing) to achieve goals.

Skills

Excellent communication

Analytical thinking

Organised and prioritisation

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Monday.com

Job description

Nursery Group Quality and Operations Lead

Department: Early Years

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Head Office

Reporting To: Group Operations Manager

Compensation: £50,000 / year

Description

Hybrid – with regular travel to Nursery Group Sites across the UK

To support and monitor compliance, quality, and standards across Monkey Puzzle Nursery Group. The role is responsible for advising and supporting nursery management teams, and practitioners to deliver high-quality care and education. This role contributes to the continuous improvement and excellence of all Monkey Puzzle Nursery Group sites.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Conduct audits of teaching practices and environments, producing clear action plans to support rapid improvement.
• Maintain accurate records using platforms such as Monday.com and SharePoint.
• Attend relevant industry events and networks.
• Manage a schedule of nursery visits, ensuring consistent quality monitoring across the network.
• Use audit trend data to create and implement focus plans with the team.
• Alongside the Operations Manager, coach and support Nursery Managers to deliver operational excellence and achieve organisational objectives
• Work collaboratively with the Operations Manager to monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs), including occupancy, staffing, financial performance, compliance and customer satisfaction, implementing improvement plans where required alongside Nursery Growth Plans
• Support Nursery managers in overseeing operational budgets while maintaining high – quality provision
• Work collaboratively with Head Office support functions, including HR, Finance and Marketing, to achieve company goals
• Ensure policies, procedures and operational standards are implemented consistently across all Nursery Group Sites

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Deliver high-quality advice, training, and support to nurseries, tailored to their individual needs.
• Develop and implement Quality Support Plans where operational weaknesses are identified.
• Write high-standard visit reports, with constructive and clear feedback.
• Provide guidance on equalities legislation and ensure inclusive practice is embedded.
• Ensure all settings comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), statutory compliance in safeguarding and health & safety, including Ofsted and HSE requirements.
• Stay informed of sector developments and apply relevant research to improve practice.
• Contribute to policy, system, and training development.
• Monitor safer recruitment and appropriate staff deployment in line with legal requirements.
• Support settings through inspections, ensuring teams are well prepared and confident in demonstrating ‘Strong Standard’ practice.

Curriculum and Pedagogical Oversight

• Support Nursery Managers and leadership teams to develop inspiring learning environments that promote children's learning, development and wellbeing.
• Champion the delivery of a high-quality, child-centred curriculum that reflects the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Monitor curriculum implementation through regular quality visits, observations and professional dialogue.
• Drive improvements in teaching, learning and assessment through coaching, mentoring and quality improvement approaches.
• Encourage innovation and the sharing of best practice across all settings to enhance children's outcomes.

Support & Engagement

• Build strong relationships with Nursery Managers to ensure consistent brand standards and shared goals.
• Support new openings through Ofsted registration and setting setup.
• Work collaboratively with the Operations Manager in supporting recruitment, retention, succession planning and workforce stability across the Nursery sites.
• Foster an inclusive, positive and high-performing culture aligned with organisational values.
• Facilitate collaboration between settings to share expertise, celebrate success and drive continuous improvement.

Early Years Training & Development

• Collaborate with the training department to deliver a robust CPD programme and evaluate its impact on children’s outcomes.
• Support settings with SEND strategies and inclusive practice.
• Monitor and support safeguarding practices, ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements.
• Promote a culture of continuous professional development for all colleagues across the region.
• Collaboratively work with the Operations Manager in coaching, mentor and develop Nursery Managers and leadership teams to strengthen leadership capability and improve outcomes.
• Deliver and facilitate training, workshops and professional learning opportunities in early years practice, safeguarding, leadership and operational excellence.
• Ensure all mandatory training is completed and that colleagues remain up to date with legislative and best practice developments.
• Encourage reflective practice and continuous learning to drive improvements in quality, teaching and leadership across all settings.

Essential Experience & Knowledge

Essential:

• Level 3 Early Years Qualification (Full and Relevant)
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework
• Experience working within early years settings
• Knowledge of Health & Safety standards in early years
• Ability to create and implement action plans
• Experience supporting settings through rapid improvement
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desirable:

• Experience managing or overseeing multiple early years settings
• Experience supporting new settings through Ofsted registration
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office365 tools (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive)

Skills & Attributes

• Passionate about early years education
• Experienced in leading nurseries with a track record of ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted outcomes
• Reflective and analytical, open to challenging your own assumptions
• An excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing
• A team player who shares knowledge and promotes best practice
• Organised and skilled in managing priorities
• Committed to ongoing professional development
• Calm under pressure and solution-oriented
• Personable, adaptable, and able to inspire others

Objectives

Quality & Compliance

• Achieve 100% Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings across all corporate nurseries.
• Support intensive turnaround plans for any “Needs Attention” sites, with bi-weekly check-ins until reinspection.

Nursery Manager & Leadership Development (Corporate)

• Develop a quarterly leadership development programme for corporate Nursery Managers, focusing on commercial acumen, quality improvement, and people management. Working alongside Head of Early Years & operations.

Training & Quality Development

• Contribute to the design and delivery of an annual Early Years Quality & Compliance Training Calendar for all and managers, achieving X% participation from targeted sites.
• Provide tailored improvement training for “Amber” or “Red” audit sites within 4 weeks of audit, with improvement monitored over 12 weeks.

Strategic Contribution & Growth Support

• Contribute to operational changes or curriculum developments to improve brand reputation, parent satisfaction, and Ofsted outcomes.

Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Ensure delivery of occupancy, quality, and compliance targets across your respective settings.

Benefits

• Length of Service Recognition: We want you stay with us! We recognise and reward your length of service with Monkey Puzzle
• Enhanced Maternity Pay: Enhanced pay after 2 years’ service
• Private Healthcare
• YuLife: You will be enrolled into our Group Life Assurance policy and have access to the YuLife app
• Flexible Working
• Conversion based incentive
• Social Events: We arrange catch ups with the team alongside our Christmas parties
• Additional Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus 8 UK bank holidays
• Early finish on a Friday! #BerkhamstedSafeguarding Statement

Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries are committed to Keeping children safe; therefore, it is necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record Disclosure and Barred check to be undertaken. All posts involving direct contact with children and vulnerable adults are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. All candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions, you may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your employment commences.