Nursery Manager

Tops Day Nurseries; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in Gillingham is seeking a Nursery Manager to lead a safe and educational environment. You will supervise children, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. With a Level 3 Early Years Qualification needed, this role offers competitive benefits such as a welcome bonus and relocation package. Join a company committed to employee well-being and career development.

Benefits

£3000 Welcome Bonus

Relocation Package

Annual Bonus Scheme

Childcare Discount

Flexible Working Options

Health and Wellbeing Support

Career Development Opportunities

Free meals

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 Early Years Qualification required.
• Solid knowledge of the EYFS.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, educational, and fun environment.
• Supervise children and organise activities.
• Develop and maintain the nursery budget.
• Update parents about their child’s progress.

Skills

Early Years Leadership

Safeguarding procedures

Communication

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Job description

Nursery Manager

Location: Tops Gillingham, Gillingham, Dorset

Job type: Full time, Permanent
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum
Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week

“Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions. These include staff nominations on the 'Each Person Scheme' and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements.”- OFSTED recent feedback

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At Tops Day Nurseries, we offer a range of benefits to support you as part of our team:

£3000 Welcome Bonus*: We’re excited to have you join us and want to start things off with a warm welcome!

Relocation Package: Receive up to £3000 to help make your move as smooth as possible.

Annual Bonus Scheme: As an Employee-Owned Company, you’ll share in our success. Each May, you’ll have the opportunity to receive a bonus from our profit shares.

Childcare Discount: Enjoy up to 60% off childcare within Tops Day Nurseries, making it easier for you to balance work and family life.

Flexible Working Options: Make the most of your time off with compressed hours. You could gain up to 48 extra days off per year, or 24 additional days off annually if you work nine days over a two-week period, in addition to your standard holiday allowance.

Proud to be a World’s Happiest Workplace: Tops Day Nurseries has been officially certified as a World’s Happiest Workplace for 2025, recognising our commitment to employee well-being, career growth, and a positive workplace culture.

Holiday Allowance: 28 days of annual leave each year, with 2 extra days to celebrate your birthday or a wellbeing day, totaling 30 days off per year.

Free meals: Free breakfast for colleagues to support well-being and energy for the day.

Employee Recognition: Access to the Blue Light Card with discounts at retailers, restaurants, and attractions.

Employee Recognition Platform: Access Each Person for gym discounts, Cycle2Work, GP on demand, cinema deals, and more; used to celebrate employee of the month.

Health and Wellbeing Support: NHS prescription charges, optical care, and dental treatment.

Career Development: Opportunities for career progression within Tops Day Nurseries.

Travel and Parking Season Ticket Loan: Borrow up to £500 interest-free.

Welcome Bonus and Relocation Packages are not cumulative.

About the Nursery Manager Role

Do you have Early Years Leadership experience and are you seeking a fresh challenge? As a Nursery Manager, you’ll help create a safe, educational, and fun environment, supervise children, ensure safety, and organise activities such as games, crafts, and educational tasks.

About the Nursery

Tops Gillingham Nursery is a 96-place Day Nursery & Pre-School in Gillingham with additional extracurricular activities including Tops Forest School, baby massage, holiday club, and more.

Role responsibilities

• Demonstrate a solid background in effectively managing nursery settings.
• Communicate excellently with children, staff, and parents.
• Use creative skills to provide educational activities that support happiness and learning.
• Maintain a positive environment where children feel secure and rewarded.
• Conduct interviews for potential applicants as directed by recruitment.
• Develop and maintain the nursery budget.
• Arrange marketing materials.
• Monitor facility and equipment, organise maintenance and repairs, and source new items as required.
• Update parents about their child’s progress and behaviour.
• Handle enrolment enquiries, payments, and practices.
• Develop and implement an age-appropriate program of annual events and activities.
• Prepare the nursery for Ofsted inspections and follow inspector recommendations.

What we’re looking for

• A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
• Solid knowledge of the EYFS.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures.

Why Tops Day Nurseries?

We are a leading early education and childcare provider in South England, established in 1990. We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility, valuing respect, open communication, and teamwork.

As an Employee-Owned Company, colleagues co-own the company and benefit from profit-sharing bonuses. We are a recognized employer and advocate for career development from Level 2 Apprenticeships to Nursery Manager or Early Years Teacher.

Exciting? Your journey starts here. Apply to join Tops Team!

Equal Opportunity: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. Enhanced DBS checks are required. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. Do not apply if you are on the Children’s Barred List.

Vacancy Reference: NN/1509