Nursery Manager

Chichester College Group; Chichester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

First Steps nursery in Chichester is seeking a Nursery Manager to lead with passion and a commitment to excellence. The role focuses on safeguarding, teaching, and delivering the RECIPE curriculum to every child.

You will develop a high-performing team, work with a supportive senior leadership group, and access professional development, wellbeing benefits, and pension provisions. The post is on-site in Chichester.

Qualifications

• A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.
• Leadership experience within an early years setting.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and quality improvement.
• A passion for developing people and achieving excellent outcomes for children.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the nursery.
• Drive excellence in teaching, learning, safeguarding and compliance.
• Develop and inspire a high-performing team through effective leadership and support.
• Ensure children receive exceptional care and education through our RECIPE curriculum and values-led approach.

Skills

Leadership experience

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

Quality improvement

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Are you an experienced and inspiring leader ready to make a lasting impact on children, families and colleagues? We are seeking a Nursery Manager who will lead our nursery with passion, purpose and a commitment to excellence.

At First Steps, we create a safe and joyful place where every child is nurtured and inspired to grow with confidence, curiosity and pride. Our curriculum is built around our RECIPE characteristics, supporting children to become Resilient, Empathetic, Curious, Independent, Passionate and Educated while reflecting our values of kindness, inclusion, teamwork, nurture and continuous learning.

As our Nursery Manager, you will:

Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the nursery.

Drive excellence in teaching, learning, safeguarding and compliance.

Develop and inspire a high-performing team through effective leadership and support.

Ensure children receive exceptional care and education through our RECIPE curriculum and values-led approach.

What we can offer you in this role:

The opportunity to lead a well-established and highly regarded nursery.

A supportive senior leadership team.

Professional development and leadership opportunities.

The chance to shape the future direction and success of the nursery.

What you will bring to the role:

A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.

Leadership experience within an early years setting.

Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and quality improvement.

A passion for developing people and achieving excellent outcomes for children.

Our Staff Benefits - see attached job pack for further information.

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with a paid closure over the Christmas and New Year period that does not come out of your annual leave allowance.

Annual Staff Wellbeing Day dedicated to supporting your health and wellbeing.

NEST pension scheme to help you plan for the future.

Free childcare during your working hours (terms and conditions apply).

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing confidential wellbeing and support services.

Enhanced family-friendly benefits, including maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Occupational Sick Pay, increasing with length of service, offering up to 20 weeks' full pay and 20 weeks' half pay.

Ongoing training and professional development to support your career growth and progression.

Access to a wide range of employee discounts, including shopping, dining, gym memberships, travel and cinema tickets.

Long Service Awards recognising and celebrating employee commitment and dedication.

Flexible working opportunities where operationally possible, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

Interview date: 17th & 18th November 2026

A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.Leadership experience within an early years setting.Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and quality improvement.A passion for developing people and achieving excellent outcomes for children.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Nursery Manager

Company: Chichester College Group Salary: £35,441 - £38,721 per annum Hours: Full-time Location: Chichester, PO19 1SB Working pattern: On-site Job type: Permanent Posting date: 19 Oct 2026 Closing date: 2 Nov 2026

Summary

Are you an experienced and inspiring leader ready to make a lasting impact on children, families and colleagues? We are seeking a Nursery Manager who will leave us with passion, purpose and a commitment to excellence.

At First Steps, we create a safe and joyful place where every child is nurtured and inspired to grow with confidence, curiosity and pride. Our curriculum is built around our RECIPE characteristics ...

As our Nursery Manager, you will:

Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the nursery.

Drive excellence in teaching, learning, safeguarding and compliance.

Develop and inspire a high-performing team through effective leadership and support.

Ensure children receive exceptional care and education through our RECIPE curriculum and values-led approach.

What we can offer you in this role:

The opportunity to lead a well-established and highly regarded nursery.

A supportive senior leadership team.

Professional development and leadership opportunities.

The chance to shape the future direction and success of the nursery.

What you will bring to the role:

A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.

Leadership experience within an early years setting.

Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and quality improvement.

A passion for developing people and achieving excellent outcomes for children.

Our Staff Benefits - see attached job pack for further information.

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with a paid closure over the Christmas and New Year period that does not come out of your annual leave allowance.

Annual Staff Wellbeing Day dedicated to supporting your health and wellbeing.

NEST pension scheme to help you plan for the future.

Free childcare during your working hours (terms and conditions apply).

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing confidential wellbeing and support services.

Enhanced family‑friendly benefits, including maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Occupational Sick Pay, increasing with length of service, offering up to 20 weeks' full pay and 20 weeks' half pay.

Ongoing training and professional development to support your career growth and progression.

Access to a wide range of employee discounts, including shopping, dining, gym memberships, travel and cinema tickets.

Long Service Awards recognising and celebrating employee commitment and dedication.

Flexible working opportunities where operationally possible, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

Closing date: 2 November 2026

Interview date: 17th & 18th November 2026

Essential requirements

A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.Leadership experience within an early years setting.Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and quality improvement.A passion for developing people and achieving excellent outcomes for children.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

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