Nursery Manager

Alpha Schools; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Shape new nursery

Headmaster collaboration

Pension

Sick pay

Life assurance

EAP & wellbeing

Development & training

Career progression

Free lunches

On-site parking

Supportive environment

Facilities

Job summary

Godstowe School in High Wycombe is seeking an inspirational Nursery Manager to lead The Nursery at Godstowe: a new premium all-year-round nursery for children aged 9 months to 4 years. You will work closely with the Headmaster and leadership team to shape the culture, deliver outstanding Early Years education, and ensure safeguarding, welfare and operational excellence.

This role offers a competitive salary of £35,000–£50,000 and the chance to build a pioneering provision within an established

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Significant experience within an Early Years setting.
• Experience as Nursery Manager or in an equivalent leadership role.
• Excellent knowledge of the EYFS framework, safeguarding legislation, and Ofsted requirements.
• Strong leadership, organisational and people-management skills.
• Experience coaching colleagues, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Genuine commitment to delivering exceptional Early Years education.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing Nursery team.
• Establish warm, inclusive, and ambitious culture for children and colleagues.
• Deliver an outstanding Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
• Ensure safeguarding, welfare and pastoral care standards.
• Recruitment, induction, supervision, coaching and performance management.
• Maintain strong relationships with parents and provide exceptional family experience.
• Oversee day-to-day Nursery operations and budget/resource management.
• Ensure EYFS, Ofsted compliance and health/safety requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff development

Safeguarding

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Level 5 Leadership and Management ( advantageous)

Job description

An opportunity to create something exceptional from the very beginning.

Salary: £35,000–£50,000 per annum, dependent on qualifications and experience

Contract: Full-time, permanent, all year round

Location: Godstowe School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Godstowe School is looking for an inspirational and ambitious Nursery Manager to lead The Nursery at Godstowe: our new, premium, all-year-round Nursery for children aged 9 months to 4 years.

This is more than an opportunity to manage an established setting. It is a chance to shape a Nursery at the beginning of its journey, establish an exceptional team, and create an Early Years experience designed around childhood, family life and the needs of the modern world.

Working closely with the Headmaster and the wider school leadership team, you will have the freedom and support to bring your ideas to life. You will define the culture of the Nursery, inspire outstanding practice, and ensure that every child receives a happy, enriching and deeply nurturing introduction to education.

For an accomplished Early Years leader with vision, energy, and high expectations, this is an opportunity to create something genuinely distinctive.

The Nursery at Godstowe

Open 50 weeks a year and offering days from 7.30am to 6.30pm, The Nursery at Godstowe combines exceptional Early Years education with the flexibility modern families need.

Our youngest children are fully part of the Godstowe community. Their experiences extend beyond the Nursery rooms and into our beautiful 12-acre campus, with access to woodland areas, extensive outdoor learning, swimming, specialist teaching, excellent sports facilities, and freshly prepared meals cooked on site.

Children are encouraged to be curious, confident, and excited by the world around them. As they grow, close links with Godstowe’s Pre-Prep team provide continuity and a seamless transition into Reception.

Our ambition is clear: to create an outstanding Nursery that protects the wonder of childhood while building the confidence, independence, and curiosity children need for the modern world.

About Godstowe

Founded in 1900, Godstowe is a highly regarded independent day and boarding preparatory school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, educating children from 9 months to 13 years.

For more than a century, Godstowe has combined academic ambition with warmth, individuality, and a genuine understanding of each child. Our pupils are encouraged to explore their interests, develop their strengths and become confident, thoughtful young people who are ready for the world beyond school.

Our staff are central to this success. We are committed to creating a supportive and collaborative working environment in which colleagues feel valued, are encouraged to develop professionally, and have the confidence to make a meaningful difference.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Headmaster, you will provide inspirational leadership across every aspect of the Nursery. You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of education, care, safeguarding, and operational delivery while establishing a warm, ambitious, and positive culture for children, families, and colleagues.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating, and developing a high-performing Nursery team.
• Establishing a warm, inclusive, and ambitious culture in which children and colleagues can flourish.
• Delivering an outstanding and engaging Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
• Ensuring every child’s individual development, interests, and needs are understood and supported.
• Maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, child welfare, and pastoral care.
• Leading staff recruitment, induction, supervision, coaching, and performance management.
• Building trusted relationships with parents through thoughtful communication and an exceptional family experience.
• Overseeing the smooth day-to-day operation of the Nursery.
• Ensuring full compliance with the EYFS, Ofsted requirements, health and safety legislation, and all other relevant statutory guidance.
• Managing Nursery budgets, staffing ratios and resources.
• Monitoring children’s learning and development through purposeful observation and assessment.
• Working closely with the Pre-Prep team to create a seamless pathway into Reception.
• Supporting Nursery admissions through personal tours, open events and engagement with the local community.
• Driving continuous improvement and introducing new ideas that strengthen the quality and distinctiveness of the provision.

About You

We are looking for a confident and inspirational Early Years leader who combines excellent professional knowledge with warmth, sound judgement, and a genuine understanding of young children and their families.

You will have:

• A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Significant experience within an Early Years setting.
• Previous experience as a Nursery Manager, Deputy Nursery Manager or in an equivalent leadership role.
• Excellent knowledge of the EYFS framework, safeguarding legislation, and Ofsted requirements.
• Strong leadership, organisational and people-management skills.
• Experience of coaching colleagues, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine commitment to delivering exceptional Early Years education.

It would be advantageous to have:

• A Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management, or an equivalent qualification.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead training.
• Experience within an independent school or high-performing Nursery setting.
• Experience of supporting the growth and development of a new or expanding provision.

Above all, you will be:

• Passionate about giving children the strongest possible start in life.
• An inspirational, visible, and supportive leader.
• Warm, approachable, and highly professional.
• Ambitious for the children, families, and colleagues in your care.
• Highly organised and able to balance educational and operational priorities.
• Calm under pressure and confident when making decisions.
• Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-focused.
• Committed to safeguarding, continuous improvement, and professional excellence.

Why Join Godstowe?

At Godstowe, you will have the opportunity to lead a Nursery with significant ambition, excellent facilities, and the support of an established independent school community.

We offer:

• A competitive salary of £35,000–£50,000, dependent on qualifications and experience.
• The opportunity to shape a new Nursery and influence its future direction.
• Direct collaboration with the Headmaster and wider school leadership team.
• A company pension scheme.
• Company sick pay.
• Life assurance at three times your annual salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression.
• Complimentary lunches during the working day.
• Free on-site parking.
• A friendly, supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Beautiful grounds and excellent educational facilities.

Godstowe School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants for ALL jobs will undergo appropriate child-protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to enhanced level, costs are covered by the candidates. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.