Nursery Manager

Nurse Seekers; Horsham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Zero2Five is seeking a Nursery Manager in Horsham to lead day-to-day nursery operations, ensuring outstanding care and development for children. You will drive a high-performing team, oversee curriculum, safeguarding, health & safety, and Ofsted compliance, and build strong relationships with parents and staff.

This is a role for a proactive leader with a passion for early years, capable of shaping a growing nursery.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an early years team.
• Strong understanding of EYFS and safeguarding.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and Ofsted expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day running of the nursery and ensure outstanding care, learning and experiences.
• Motivate, develop and manage the early years team.
• Champion high-quality care, learning, play and development.
• Ensure EYFS, safeguarding, health & safety and Ofsted compliance.
• Build strong relationships with children, parents and staff.
• Oversee observations, planning, curriculum development and CPD.
• Support recruitment, inductions, supervisions and appraisals.

Skills

Leadership

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding

Ofsted compliance

Staff development

Recruitment

Job description

Nursery Manager

Horsham

Zero2Five is excited to be recruiting for an ambitious and passionate Nursery Manager to join a fantastic, fairly new early years setting in Horsham.

This isn't just another Nursery Manager role.

With a supportive and approachable Director, you'll have the freedom to bring your own ideas, experience and leadership style to the setting — helping shape how the nursery develops as it grows.

If you're looking for a role where you can lead, influence, develop and genuinely make a difference, this could be the opportunity for you.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll take the lead on the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring children receive outstanding care, learning and experiences while supporting your team to thrive.

Your role will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing a fantastic early years team.
• Championing high-quality care, learning, play and development.
• Ensuring strong EYFS, safeguarding, health & safety and Ofsted compliance.
• Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Building brilliant relationships with children, parents and the wider team.
• Leading observations, planning, curriculum development and continuous improvement.
• Supporting recruitment, inductions, supervisions, appraisals and CPD.
• Ensuring effective staff deployment and smooth day-to-day operations.
• Working closely with the Director and Deputy Manager.
• Helping grow the nursery's reputation, occupancy and presence within the local community.

Why This Role?

Because you won't just be stepping into a nursery — you'll be helping shape one.

As a newer setting, there is huge scope to bring your personality, ideas and experience to the role.

You’ll have:

• A supportive Director who genuinely wants you to succeed.
• Freedom to use your own ideas and skills.
• The opportunity to shape and influence the setting.
• A chance to grow your career alongside a growing nursery.
• A leadership role where your contribution will be seen and valued.

Are You The One?

We're looking for someone who is:

Passionate.Inspirational.Organised.Ambitious.

You’ll have previous leadership or management experience within early years, a strong understanding of the EYFS and safeguarding, and the confidence to lead a team.

Most importantly, you’ll want to make a difference, bring fresh ideas and be part of something that is growing.

Ready for your next adventure?

If you’re an experienced early years professional looking for a role where you can put your stamp on a setting, develop your career and work alongside a supportive Director, we’d love to hear from you.