Nursery Manager

Busy Bees; Chesterton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to 25%

33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)

Birthday off

Staff childcare discount

Central support

Training & progression

Family leave

Wellbeing support

Cycle to work

Private medical insurance

Global Talent exchange

Job summary

Busy Bees Bicester Kingsmere is seeking a Nursery Manager to lead day-to-day operations, ensure high standards of education, safeguarding, and staff leadership in a Good Ofsted setting.

You will bring Level 3 childcare qualification and at least two years' leadership experience, with EYFS expertise, and enjoy strong regional support and opportunities to progress within the Busy Bees network.

Qualifications

• NNEB, BTEC Nat Dip, CACHE Dip in Childcare, or NVQ Level 3.
• Experience as Nursery Manager or Assistant Nursery Manager.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• Focus on delivering high-quality childcare and early education.

Responsibilities

• Lead & Inspire: Drive excellence and motivate your team.
• Quality Improvement: Enhance educational programs and operational processes.
• Compliance: Ensure a safe and secure environment, meeting all regulations.
• Financial Oversight: Manage budgets and resources effectively.
• Engagement: Build strong relationships with parents, staff, and the community.
• Professional Development: Foster team growth to provide exceptional care.

Skills

Leadership

EYFS knowledge

Ofsted requirements

Staff development

Child-centered approach

Education

NNEB / BTEC Nat Dip / CACHE Dip in Childcare / NVQ Level 3

Nursery Manager experience

Leadership & communication

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees Bicester Kingsmere - Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum PLUS up to 25% annual salary bonus

We are looking for an amazing Nursery Manager to ignite fun and learning for our children! With your Level 3 childcare qualification and two years of leadership in early years settings, we want you to bring your vibrant energy and EYFS expertise to our team. Exciting rewards await your passion for nurturing young minds!

About Busy Bees

Busy Bees is the UK's leading early years providers, with nurseries dedicated to giving children the very best start in life through safe, caring, and high-quality early education.

What this means for you is the chance to lead your nursery with real confidence, backed by a large, supportive organisation that helps you focus on what you do best. You'll benefit from strong operational support, ongoing training, and clear progression opportunities to grow your career.

You'll also have the freedom to shape your setting in a way that reflects your leadership style and makes a real difference in your local community. If you're a passionate early years professional ready for your next step, this is your opportunity to grow with us.

About the role

This is a senior leadership role with full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the nursery, including quality of education, staff leadership, safeguarding, and operational performance.

You will have the autonomy to shape your team, culture, and practice, supported by a dedicated regional and central support structure.

About Our Nursery

• Busy Bees Bicester Kingsmere is a purpose-built nursery that opened in 2018.
• Rated Good by Ofsted, providing a nurturing environment where children can thrive.
• Capacity for up to 110 children, supported by a dedicated and passionate team.
• Community-focused, collaborating with local artists to create beautiful pieces for the children, including special Christmas projects.
• Convenient location, close to two bus stops and a range of local amenities.
• Free staff parking, making commuting easy and convenient for our team.

About the Benefits

• Up to 25% annual salary bonus
• Up to 33 days holiday inlusive of bank holidays
• Your birthday off - our gift to you!
• 50% Childcare discount
• Full central support (HR, Recruitment, Quality, Safety etc)
• Access to high quality training and leadership development
• Clear progression pathways into area management and wider operational roles
• Enhanced family leave & return to work bonus
• Menopause & Mental health support, financial wellbeing tools, and a 24/7 Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme & easy access pension plan
• Discounted Private Medical insurance
• Opportunities to travel internationally and explore best practise in early years with our Global Talent exchange programme.

Role Responsibilities: Key Responsibilities

• Lead & Inspire: Drive excellence and motivate your team.
• Quality Improvement: Enhance educational programs and operational processes.
• Compliance: Ensure a safe and secure environment, meeting all regulations.
• Financial Oversight: Manage budgets and resources effectively.
• Engagement: Build strong relationships with parents, staff, and the community.
• Professional Development: Foster team growth to provide exceptional care.

Required Qualifications

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Proven experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager in a high-quality setting
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop teams
• Excellent knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted requirements
• A track record of improving outcomes and maintaining high standards
• Confidence working both independently and as part of a wider leadership structure
• A child-centred approach with high expectations for quality

Qualifications and Experience

• NNEB, BTEC Nat Dip, CACHE Dip in Childcare, or NVQ Level 3.
• Experience as a Nursery Manager or Assistant Nursery Manager.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• A focus on delivering high-quality childcare and early education.