Nursery Manager

Protocol Education; Ledston; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Friendly environment

Leadership team support

Job summary

Protocol Education in Leeds is seeking a Nursery Manager to lead a thriving setting for 0–5s, delivering high-quality care and education while safeguarding and ensuring Ofsted readiness.

You will manage staff, build strong partnerships with families, and drive continuous improvement in line with EYFS expectations.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Early Years qualification (Level 5+ desirable).
• Experience as Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted.
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the nursery team, including room leaders and staff.
• Drive high-quality teaching and learning through EYFS.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and promote safeguarding culture.
• Build relationships with parents, carers and external professionals.
• Oversee staffing, occupancy, budgets, resources and compliance.
• Support recruitment, induction, supervision, training and performance management.
• Maintain an inspection-ready environment and drive continuous quality improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Organisation

Communication

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding

Ofsted familiarity

Childcare passion

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Level 5+ desirable

Job description

Nursery Manager

Leeds Circa £40,000 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications) Full-Time, Permanent

Lead, Inspire and Make a Difference Every Day

Are you an experienced early years professional ready to take the next step in your leadership career? We are seeking a passionate and ambitious Nursery Manager to lead a thriving nursery in West Leeds.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident leader who is committed to delivering exceptional childcare and education while creating a positive, supportive environment for children, families and staff.

As Nursery Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operation of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding, compliance and educational outcomes for children aged 0 to 5 years.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and managing the nursery team, including Room Leaders, Practitioners, Apprentices and support staff.
• Driving high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes through effective implementation of the EYFS.
• Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and promoting a strong safeguarding culture throughout the setting.
• Building positive relationships with parents, carers and external professionals.
• Managing nursery operations including staffing, occupancy, budgets, resources and compliance.
• Supporting recruitment, induction, supervision, training and performance management.
• Maintaining an inspection-ready environment and leading continuous quality improvement.

What We're Looking For

• A minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification (Level 5 or above desirable).
• Previous experience in a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager role.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent organisational, communication and leadership skills.
• A passion for delivering outstanding care and education.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary circa £40,000 DOE.
• Supportive and engaged leadership team.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• The chance to lead a well-established nursery and make a real impact.
• Friendly, welcoming and child-centred environment.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.