Nursery Manager

Malvern College; Malvern; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Malvern College’s Mini Malvern Nursery is seeking a Nursery Manager to lead our fast-paced provision for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Reporting to the Head of Pre-Prep, you will oversee day-to-day operations, ensure high‑quality care and education, and drive safeguarding and strategic development within The Downs Malvern.

You will manage staffing, budgets and family engagement while maintaining Ofsted standards and EYFS practice in a collaborative community setting.

Qualifications

• EYFS knowledge and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience leading and motivating teams.
• Strong safeguarding and welfare focus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding EYFS provision.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and Ofsted expectations.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the nursery.
• Lead staffing, recruitment, training, supervision and PD of the nursery team.
• Oversee admissions, family engagement and transitions into the wider school.
• Manage budgets, occupancy, fee planning and commercial performance.
• Build partnerships with parents, carers and external professionals.
• Contribute to long-term strategy and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Organisation

Education

Level 3 Childcare qualification

Job description

Nursery Manager

Location: The Downs Malvern

Hours: 40 hours per week, Full Time

Job reference: RQ(phone number removed)

Are you an experienced Early Years professional with a passion for providing exceptional care and education for young children? Do you have the leadership skills to inspire a team and the vision to help a thriving nursery grow and develop? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Mini Malvern Nursery is seeking a Nursery Manager to lead our fast-paced nursery provision for children aged 6 months to 4 years. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to play a key role in shaping the future of our nursery while working within the wider community of The Downs Malvern.

Reporting to the Head of Pre-Prep, the Nursery Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Mini Malvern Nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care, learning, safeguarding and operational excellence.

About the Role

• Ensure the delivery of an outstanding Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision.
• Maintain compliance with all statutory requirements and Ofsted expectations.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the nursery.
• Lead and manage staffing, recruitment, training, supervision and performance development of the nursery team.
• Oversee nursery admissions, family engagement and the transition of children into the wider school.
• Manage budgets, occupancy, fee planning and the commercial performance of the nursery.
• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers and external professionals.
• Contribute to the nursery’s long term strategy and continuous improvement initiatives.

About You

• A minimum Level 3 Childcare qualification (or equivalent).
• Recent experience within a nursery or preschool setting, ideally in a senior or management role.
• Excellent knowledge of the EYFS framework and current Ofsted requirements.
• Experience of leading and motivating teams.
• Strong organisational, communication and administrative skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and providing exceptional outcomes for children.
• The ability to manage budgets and contribute to the strategic development of the nursery.

This role is full time at 40 hours per week. Mini Malvern is open from 8am to 6pm. We close for bank holidays and for a 3 week shutdown (Easter, August, Christmas).

Closing date: 28 October 2026

This post involves significant contact with children and the post holder will be responsible for children. The post holder will be considered to be in regulated activity.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are ‘spent’ unless they are ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Downs Malvern exists to provide a quality all round education for pupils aged 6 months – 13 years old and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Candidates must be prepared to undergo child protection screening and an Enhanced DBS check.

You will be required to provide proof of your identity, right to work in the UK and qualifications during the selection process. We will seek references on short‑listed candidates that will include questions about past disciplinary actions or allegations in relation to behaviour with children and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications before interview. An online search will also be carried out as part of due diligence on all short‑listed candidates.

You may have experience in the following: Early Years Manager, Childcare Manager, Preschool Manager, Day Nursery Manager, Nursery Lead, Head of Nursery, Nursery Head, Early Years Lead, Early Years Setting Manager, Nursery Director, etc