Nursery Manager

Family First Nurseries; Maldon; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly Bonus Scheme

33 Days Paid Holiday

Career Growth

Health & Wellbeing Support

Company Pension Scheme

Supportive Culture

Job summary

Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon, part of the Family First Group, is seeking an experienced Nursery Manager to lead the day-to-day operations, uphold high standards of care and safeguarding, and build a confident, capable team.

You will drive quality education under EYFS, develop strong partnerships with families, and ensure a welcoming, well-managed setting while benefiting from a supportive leadership team and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Full Level 3 childcare qualification.
• Strong EYFS knowledge and safeguarding requirements.
• Experience leading and developing teams in an Early Years setting.
• Level 5 qualification in Leadership or Management.
• Experience achieving Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day running of the nursery.
• Ensure high standards of care, education and safeguarding.
• Inspire and develop the nursery team, enabling professional growth.
• Build strong partnerships with families through clear communication.
• Drive occupancy and performance of the setting.
• Lead Ofsted preparation and inspections.
• Foster staff wellbeing and a positive workplace culture.
• Deliver high-quality, age-appropriate learning experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Safeguarding

Communication

Education

Level 3 childcare qualification

Level 5 qualification in Leadership or Management

Job description

Maldon, United Kingdom | Posted on 16/10/2026

• Location Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon
• Date Opened 16/10/2026
• Work Experience 1-3 years
• Job Type Full time
• Postal Code CM9 6HY
• Country United Kingdom

Job Description

Nursery Manager– (75% Childcare Discount)

Salary: Up to £39,500 per annum, depending on experience, plus a quarterly bonus scheme worth up to £3,000 per year* Hours: Full Time (40 hours per week) Location: Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon (onsite parking)

At Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon we’re looking for a confident and experienced Nursery Manager to lead our well‑established nursery and continue building a positive, high-quality environment for children, families and colleagues.

You’ll have the opportunity to lead with confidence, develop a strong team and create a nursery culture where children thrive, families feels supported and colleagues enjoy coming to work. With supportive senior leadership, strong team foundations and the freedom to make a genuine impact, this is an exciting opportunity for an Early Years leader who takes pride in delivering outstanding care and education.

We believe great childcare starts with a happy, supported team. Here’s what you’ll enjoy as part of Family First:

• Quarterly Bonus Scheme: Earn up to £3,000 per year in additional bonuses, subject to terms and conditions.
• 33 Days Paid Holiday: 24 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and your birthday off
• Career Growth: Tailored training, professional development and opportunities to progress
• Health & Wellbeing Support: Access a confidential employee assistance and wellbeing programme.
• Company Pension Scheme
• Supportive Culture: Join a passionate, dedicated team that values collaboration and high‑quality childcare

The Role

As Nursery Manager, you’ll take the lead in the day‑to‑day running of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care, education and safeguarding. You’ll inspire your team, build strong relationships with families and drive the nursery forward, creating an environment where children and colleagues can thrive. Your responsibilities will include:

• Child Safety & Safeguarding: Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, maintaining robust safeguarding procedures and a safe, nurturing environment.
• EYFS & Compliance: Ensure the effective implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and maintain compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, motivate and develop your nursery team, encouraging professional growth, collaboration and consistently high standards of practice.
• Parent Partnerships: Build strong, positive relationships with families through clear communication, trust and a shared commitment to each child’s development.
• Nursery Operations: Oversee the effective day‑to‑day running of the nursery, maintaining an organised, welcoming and well‑managed setting.
• Occupancy & Performance: Drive nursery occupancy and overall performance, supporting the continued success and growth of the setting.
• Ofsted & Quality Improvement: Lead Ofsted preparation and inspections, ensuring the nursery maintains high standards and is continually improving the quality of care and education.
• Staff Wellbeing: Support the wellbeing, engagement and development of your team, fostering a positive and professional workplace culture.
• Quality Care & Education: Ensure children receive high‑quality, engaging and age‑appropriate learning experiences that support their individual needs and development.

About You

You’re an experienced, confident and approachable Early Years leader who is passionate about delivering high‑quality childcare and education. You enjoy developing people, maintaining high standards and creating a positive nursery environment where children, families and colleagues feel valued and supported. You understand the importance of effective leadership, strong safeguarding practices and building a team that works together to achieve the best outcomes for children.

• Full and relevant Level 3 childcare qualification.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework and safeguarding requirements.
• Experience leading and developing teams within an Early Years setting.
• A passion for delivering high‑quality childcare and education.
• Level 5 qualification in Childcare, Leadership or Management.
• Experience of achieving Good or Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.

Why Join Us?

Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon offers the opportunity to lead a well‑established setting with supportive senior leadership, strong team foundations and the freedom to make a real difference. As part of the Family First Group, you’ll benefit from a positive working culture, opportunities for professional development and the support you need to grow as a leader while creating an exceptional nursery experience for every child.

Please note: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon is part of the Family First Group where we take great care to treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti‑discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within the Family First Group