Nursery Manager

The Old Station Nursery Group; Herne Bay; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare for first month

33 days of holiday

Access to The National College

Volunteer day

Perkbox discounts

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee of the Month

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery Group is seeking a Nursery Manager for Townsend Montessori Nursery Herne Bay, a welcoming setting in Kent. You will lead day-to-day operations, deliver high-quality care and education, and support your team to thrive.

You will hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification, drive EYFS compliance, build strong partnerships with families and professionals, and manage staffing, budgets, and rollout of improvements across the nursery.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding, and high-quality Early Years practice.
• Confidence to set clear expectations, make thoughtful decisions, and follow through.
• Supportive leadership approach that helps colleagues build their skills and confidence.
• Strong communication skills and a genuine interest in building relationships with families and the wider community.
• Ability to balance children’s needs, team support, and the practical demands of running a nursery.
• Curiosity about what could work better, openness to feedback, and willingness to ask for support when needed.

Responsibilities

• Leading and supporting your team to deliver high-quality care and education that reflect each child’s interests, strengths, and needs.
• Creating an inclusive nursery environment where children, families, and colleagues feel known, respected, and welcomed.
• Keeping safeguarding and children’s wellbeing at the heart of decisions, ensuring concerns are recognised and acted on appropriately.
• Building trusting partnerships with families and working closely with external professionals to support children’s development.
• Managing staffing, rotas, budgets, and daily operations so the nursery runs safely and effectively.
• Developing your team through coaching, constructive feedback, and opportunities to learn and take on responsibility.
• Overseeing health, safety, cleanliness, and hygiene throughout the nursery.
• Leading inspection preparation and inspections, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring practice meets EYFS and regulatory requirements.
• Turning reflection and feedback into practical improvements, celebrating progress along the way.

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Leadership

Communication

Safeguarding

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification or above

Job description

Join Our Team as a Nursery Manager

Lead a nursery where children flourish and people grow

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing -little humans and big humans alike. As Nursery Manager at Herne Bay, you’ll lead a nursery community where people feel they belong and exceptional care lives in everyday actions.

You’ll bring direction, encouragement, and a clear sense of purpose, helping your team see the difference they make while continuing to grow as a leader yourself.

Why Join Our Team?

We take care of the people who care for our children and families. Here’s what that means for you:

• Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.

• Time to recharge: 33 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years of service.

• Space to grow: Access to The National College, with a library of courses and training to develop your practice and leadership.

• Connection to your community: One paid day each year to volunteer and support a cause that matters to you.

• Everyday support: With access to Perkbox, enjoy discounts on shopping, meals out, and everyday essentials, alongside wellbeing tools and online medical services. You’ll also be eligible for a Blue Light Card, helping your money go further with even more discounts.

• Recognition along the way: We celebrate the care and commitment you bring, with Employee of the Month recognition, long-service awards to mark your milestones, and referral bonuses for introducing friends or family to our team.

• Recognition for your leadership: A discretionary annual bonus, based on performance, to recognise great work and team contribution.

Pay:£38,542 per annum based on experience.

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday.

Location

Townsend Montessori Nursery Herne Bay, Beaumont House
Beaumont Street
Herne Bay
Kent
CT6 8LX

Where You'll Be Working

Townsend Montessori Nursery Herne Bay is situated just off the B2205 Sea Street, on Beaumont Street. The setting is only a short walk from Hampton Primary School and Herne Bay town centre. There is ample off-street parking for the team. Step inside and discover two spacious rooms meticulously designed to create a serene and inviting atmosphere. Each room is equipped with a wide array of engaging resources, providing abundant opportunities for children to play and learn. Our outdoor space is a highlight, featuring a dedicated forest area that invites natural exploration and hands‑on learning experiences.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll lead the nursery’s day-to-day life, bringing together thoughtful care, high-quality education, and the organisation that helps your team do their best work.

One moment you might be coaching a colleague through a challenge. The next, you could be welcoming a new family, reviewing children’s learning experiences, or planning how to make the nursery even better.

Your role will include:

• Leading and supporting your team to deliver high-quality care and education that reflects each child’s interests, strengths, and needs

• Creating an inclusive nursery environment where children, families, and colleagues feel known, respected, and welcomed

• Keeping safeguarding and children’s wellbeing at the heart of decisions, ensuring concerns are recognised and acted on appropriately

• Building trusting partnerships with families and working closely with external professionals to support children’s development

• Managing staffing, rotas, budgets, and daily operations so the nursery runs safely and effectively

• Developing your team through coaching, constructive feedback, and opportunities to learn and take on responsibility

• Overseeing health, safety, cleanliness, and hygiene throughout the nursery

• Leading inspection preparation and inspections, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring practice meets EYFS and regulatory requirements

• Turning reflection and feedback into practical improvements, celebrating progress along the way

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. As a Nursery Manager, you’ll bring them to life by taking responsibility, listening with empathy, and helping your team turn good ideas into everyday practice.

What We’re Looking For

You must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.

You’ll bring proven experience of leading and supporting a team in an Early Years setting, ideally as a Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, or in a comparable role.

We’re looking for someone with:

• A strong understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding, and high-quality Early Years practice

• The confidence to set clear expectations, make thoughtful decisions, and follow through

• A supportive leadership approach that helps colleagues build their skills and confidence

• Strong communication skills and a genuine interest in building relationships with families and your wider community

• The organisation to balance children’s needs, team support, and the practical demands of running a nursery

• Curiosity about what could work better, openness to feedback, and the willingness to ask for support when needed

You’ll recognise that a strong nursery culture is built in everyday moments — through the care you show, the promises you keep, and the way you help others succeed.

Please note: we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, verification of your right to work in the UK, and any essential qualifications. If successful, our Onboarding Team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to support fairness and accessibility for all candidates. This role involves regulated activity with children.