Nursery Manager

Care-Ed Recruitment; Godalming; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Share programme

35 days off incl holidays

Childcare discount

Referral bonus

Training packages

Job summary

CareEd Recruitment is seeking a Nursery Manager in Godalming. The role offers flexible hours (25–40 per week) with a pay structure up to £38,000 per annum, pro rata for part-time.

You will launch and develop a new flagship nursery, build the culture, and drive excellent childcare aligned with EYFS and safeguarding standards. The ideal candidate will have Level 3 (or above) in Early Years, strong leadership, and a track record of managing within EYFS settings.

Qualifications

• Strong EYFS knowledge and understanding of Ofsted/Safeguarding requirements.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a nursery team.
• Commitment to high-quality childcare and flexible working.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, onboard and lead the nursery team and drive performance.
• Lead the opening phase and work towards Outstanding inspections where possible.
• Ensure EYFS curriculum is implemented and aligned with standards.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and safeguard every child.
• Manage staffing, resources and daily operations to deliver high-quality childcare.
• Build strong relationships with families and the local community.

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Team leadership

Safeguarding

Regulations

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery Manager - part time or full time opportunity!

• Location: Godalming


• Salary: Up to £38,00 per annum depending on experience (part time will be pro rata)


• Start Date: ASAP


• Hours: 25 - 40 hours per week

CareEd Recruitment are recruiting for a Nursery Manager. This is a unique opportunity to join an exciting new nursery from the very beginning. We are looking for an entrepreneurial Nursery Manager to launch and develop our brand new business – The Crèche. The hours will be flexible but ideally between 25-40 hours a week.

This is a unique opportunity to build a flagship nursery from the ground up. You’ll instill our unique culture, and introduce Godalming families to a new and flexible, pay-as‑you‑go childcare solution. We’re a small, family‑run business who prioritise our staff and our children in equal measure. Our mission is to be the highest quality and most flexible childcare provider in the UK (starting with our flagship site in the heart of Godalming).

We are open Mon‑Fri, 8am – 6pm. The ideal candidate for this role will have a strong passion for early years education and childcare, and a successful proven track record in managing across the Early Years Foundation stage. You will possess excellent and up-to‑date knowledge of EYFS framework and regulations, a thorough understanding of Safeguarding children, accompanied by a positive can‑do attitude, the ability to motivate a team, and a commitment to every child settling in and succeeding. We are looking for someone who is qualified at Level 3 (early years) or above.

Requirements

• Applications welcome from experienced nursery managers or from applicants looking for the next step in their career.


• Full and relevant Level 3 (or above) Early Years qualification with deep EYFS and Ofsted knowledge.


• Excel at building high-trust relationships with families and local community partners.


• Experience with compliance and regulatory requirements, including health, safety, and safeguarding protocols.


• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and ensure smooth daily operations.


• Leadership experience, with a passion for developing teams and promoting continuous professional growth.


• Ability to inspire and guide a nursery team.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, onboard, inspire and guide the nursery team, fostering a culture of continuous high performance, implementing tailored plans and providing ongoing development support.


• Drive the opening phase, from community engagement to an \"Outstanding\" first inspection. Experience of successfully passing an Ofsted inspection to good or outstanding is desirable.


• Ensure the curriculum is implemented e ectively and fully aligned with the principles and requirements of the EYFS.


• Act as the DSL and ensure all children are safeguarded and their welfare and safety is promoted.


• Manage staffing, resources, and operational efficiency to deliver excellent educational childcare, proactively driving continuous performance improvement.


• Build caring relationships with parents and carers to ensure they feel informed, valued and involved.


• Promote a positive and inclusive atmosphere within the nursery for both children and staff.


• Manage the nursery’s P&L, occupancy, and growth with the support of the Directors.

What we offer

• Competitive base salary + up to 25% annual performance bonus.


• A Share Programme.


• Up to 35 days a year, including 8 bank holidays, 3 days off between Christmas and New Year, and your birthday.


• Childcare discount.


• Referral programme, refer a friend and earn up to £750.


• Opportunity to access various training packages to support you in your role.

If you would like to find out more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Jennifer on (phone number removed) for an informal discussion.

CareEd Recruitment is acting as an employment business for this vacancy