Nursery Manager

Kids Planet Day Nurseries Limited; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Nursery Manager Bonus Scheme

Life Insurance

Health plan

Free meals (breakfast/lunch)

KP Academy training

Enhanced leave

Wellbeing rewards

Long service awards

Birthday day off

Pension plan

Enhanced holiday allowance

Job summary

Kids Planet Thornton is seeking a Nursery Manager to lead the day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality care and education in line with EYFS and Ofsted requirements. You will champion a positive, collaborative culture while overseeing safeguarding and staff development.

You will build strong relationships with families and external agencies, ensuring readiness for inspections and sustained nursery growth within the Kids Planet network.

Qualifications

• Must have Level 3 UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Senior leadership experience within a nursery setting.
• GCSE Maths (or equivalent) required within 2 years of starting.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day running of the nursery to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Lead, mentor and support the nursery team, promoting a positive, collaborative culture and staff development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families and external agencies to support each child's development and wellbeing.

Skills

Leadership experience

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

Team management

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Maths GCSE or equivalent

Job description

• By managing the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and education in line with the EYFS, Ofsted requirements, and the nursery's policies and procedures.
• Through leading, mentoring, and supporting the nursery team, promoting a positive, collaborative, and professional culture while ensuring staff development and performance are maintained to a high standard.
• By building and maintaining strong, trusting relationships with families and external agencies, supporting each child's development and wellbeing, and ensuring the nursery is always prepared for Ofsted inspections.
• Must be at least Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Senior leadership experience within a nursery setting.
• In line with legal regulations, you must hold a GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths or gain it within 2 years of starting.

Kids Planet is a family owed nursery group, established by CEO Clare Roberts and Father, John Hoban and Lucy Kaczmarska is the Operations Director. Kids Planet has grown significantly since our conception in 2008. Kids Planet are now a major employer in the early years industry, driven by passion for delivering outstanding care to 0-5 years old throughout settings across the UK.

The world is ever changing, and we are passionate about caring and preserving the magic of childhood. By developing young minds through play, we can give the children the very best start.

Our employees are at the heart of our business and their skills and expertise are helping to shape the future of young minds. Whether you're a school leaver, graduate or experienced professional, your skills could help us to deliver the very best care and education to our children.

We are a business that is continually growing. This makes us a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous, super exciting place to work. No two days are the same here and there are plenty of opportunities to progress throughout the group.

Now one of the largest nursery groups in the UK, home to Kids Planet and Kids Allowed, we have nurseries covering the UK with further planned growth, a head office function and Training Academy supported by over 5000 talented employees.

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we're passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Thornton as a Nursery Manager!

We're now looking for a Nursery Manager to join our team, someone who's ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.

Why Kids Planet Thornton?

• Good parking and good transport links
• Forest school
• Low staff turnover
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Crowned NMT's Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• 80% Childcare Discount - T&Cs apply

What we'll offer our Nursery Manager:

• An exclusive Nursery Manager Bonus Scheme to reward your leadership and impact.
• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.
• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it's all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
• Friendly central support team always on hand to help.