Nursery Manager

Beech Hall School Ltd; Buckingham; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Akeley Wood Junior School seeks a Nursery Manager to lead the nursery provision at its Akeley site. This permanent role is 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a salary up to £40,000 per annum and 52 weeks of service.

You'll oversee staffing, compliance with EYFS and safeguarding, and deliver a high-quality, play-based curriculum. The post focuses on nurturing development, parent engagement, and collaboration with wider school teams.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an early years team within a nursery or school.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS and safeguarding obligations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the nursery team, ensuring a professional working environment.
• Oversee daily nursery operations, including staffing, rotas and ratios.
• Ensure EYFS compliance, safeguarding and regulatory standards.
• Deliver a high-quality play-based EYFS curriculum.
• Monitor development, planning, assessment and progress tracking.
• Build strong relationships with parents and provide progress updates.
• Support transitions into Reception and collaborate with school staff.
• Contribute to inspections and wider school life.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Time management

Communication

Relationship building

Safeguarding

Staff motivation

Education

Level 5/6 cert

Paediatric First Aid

Job description

Join a nurturing environment where every moment matters.

Job Title: Nursery Manager
Location: Akeley Wood Nursery and Junior School, Akeley, Buckingham
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday |
Contract: Permanent | 52 weeks

About Akeley Wood Junior School

Akeley Wood Junior School is a warm, vibrant and caring community set within stunning rural surroundings near Buckingham. Our Nursery provides a joyful, stimulating and secure space where children aged 12 months to 4 years can explore, play and learn with confidence.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, caring and dedicated Nursery Practitioner to join our Early Years team. We are also open to applications from apprentices, making this a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to begin, or further develop, a rewarding career in early childhood education.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate individual to inspire our children. The Nursery Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and day-to-day running of the school’s nursery provision. The role ensures a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children can learn and develop in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, while supporting the school’s ethos and values.

As a Nursery Practitioner, you will:

• Lead and manage the nursery team, fostering a positive and professional working environment


• Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursery, including staffing, rotas, and ratios


• Ensure full compliance with EYFS, safeguarding requirements, and relevant regulatory standards


• Deliver a high-quality, play-based curriculum aligned with EYFS principles


• Monitor children's development, including planning, assessment, and progress tracking


• Promote inclusive practice and support children with additional needs


• Maintain high standards of health, safety, hygiene, and safeguarding at all times


• Manage nursery resources, equipment, and budget effectively


• Build strong relationships with parents and provide regular updates on children’s progress


• Lead parent meetings, reports, and nursery events


• Support transitions into Reception and collaborate with wider school staff

Contribute to inspections, school initiatives, and the wider life of the school

What you'll bring

Qualifications

• Level 5 or 6 qualification (desirable)


• Paediatric First Aid (or willingness to obtain)

Skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills


• Excellent organisational and time management abilities


• Clear and confident communication skills


• Ability to build positive relationships with parents, staff, and external partners


• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child welfare practices


• Ability to inspire, motivate, and support both staff and children

Experience

• Significant experience working within an early years setting


• Proven leadership or supervisory experience


• Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework and Ofsted expectations


• Experience in a school-based or independent nursery setting (desirable)