Nursery Manager

Acorn Early Years; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay scales

65% childcare discount (pro rata)

Enhanced pension scheme

Generous family leave provisions

25 days annual leave plus bank holiday

Job summary

Acorn Cold Harbour is seeking an experienced Nursery Manager to lead our warm, outdoor-focused day nursery and Nature Kindergarten. You will guide a skilled team, uphold high standards of care and EYFS delivery, and foster strong partnerships with families and health professionals.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, inclusion and continuous improvement. Join a nurturing environment where children explore, learn, and connect with nature daily, supported by a dedicated team and generous benefits.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager
• Strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Passion for delivering high-quality, child-centred care and education
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• Strong safeguarding culture and responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the nursery team to maintain a positive, inclusive, and safe environment.
• Deliver high-quality, play-based learning experiences and monitor children's progress.
• Engage families and the local community to support children's development and well-being.
• Maintain safeguarding, compliance, and Ofsted readiness across all policies and procedures.
• Oversee nursery operations including occupancy, staffing, budgets, and day-to-day administration.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Safeguarding culture

Job description

Leadership Opportunity

Essential Requirements

Nursery Manager

Acorn Childcare - Cold Harbour Day Nursery & Nature Kindergarten

Full Time |

£37,440-£48,256 Per annum/£18-£23 Per hour

If you are offered a Manager role, you will receive a £1000 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period.

Leadership Opportunity

Are you an experienced Nursery Manager looking for an exciting opportunity to lead a nursery that has a strong outdoor learning ethos?

About Acorn Cold Harbour

At the heart of Acorn Cold Harbour is our day nursery, where babies and young children receive high-quality care and early education in warm, welcoming rooms. Guided by our relational pedagogy, experienced practitioners build secure, respectful relationships with every child and respond thoughtfully to their routines, interests, strengths and stage of development. Alongside the nursery, our dedicated Nature Kindergarten and Outdoor Learning Centre gives children regular opportunities to explore, wonder and develop a lasting connection with the natural world.

Children enjoy a broad, play-based EYFS curriculum shaped by caring relationships, close observation and their own curiosity. Practitioners plan meaningful experiences across the nursery rooms and natural outdoor spaces, supporting communication and language, physical development, creativity, confidence and independence. By adapting environments, routines and experiences to remove barriers to participation, we help every child engage in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them.

Throughout the nursery and Nature Kindergarten, we create a genuine home-from-home environment founded on an ethic of care, where children receive consistent, nurturing support and families are valued as partners. Our inclusive approach recognises that every child is unique: practitioners listen carefully to children and families, work with relevant professionals where appropriate, and tailor transitions, communication, resources and learning experiences to individual needs. In this way, every child is supported to feel safe, respected and included, to develop a sense of belonging and connection to nature, and to thrive and reach their full potential.

The Role

As Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for the overall leadership and daily operation of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of care, education, safeguarding and compliance are maintained on a daily basis.

You will lead and inspire your team to deliver exceptional early years experiences, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and professional development.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and inspire a positive, inclusive, safe and supportive nursery culture
• Support, coach, and develop staff through supervision, appraisals, and ongoing training
• Promote high standards of practice in line with the EYFS framework
• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity and care.

Children’s Learning & Development

• Deliver and promote high quality, play-based learning experiences.
• Ensure every child receives individualised support to help them flourish.
• Create engaging and enabling environment that reflect children’s interests and needs
• Monitor and support children’s progress through meaningful observation and assessment

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong partnership with parents and carers.
• Work collaboratively with health professions, and community organisations.
• Support families with empathy, understanding and professionalism.
• Promote inclusion and equal opportunities for all children, families and staff team

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Lead a strong safeguarding culture across the nursery
• ensure all policies, procedures and statutory requirements are met
• Support staff to identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
• Maintain accurate record and ensure operational compliance at all times.

Nursery Operations

• Oversee occupancy, staffing, budgets, and day to day administration
• Ensure the nursery operates efficiently, safe, and sustainably
• Manage parent feedback and resolve concerns effectively
• Prepare for and support Ofsted Inspections

About You

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager
• Strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Passion for delivering high-quality, child centred care and education
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• Strong understanding of safeguarding culture and responsibilities

Desirable

• A passion for supporting outdoor play and learning
• Forest School experience or willingness to seek training

Why Join Acorn?

At Acorn, we believe our people are our greatest asset. When you join us, you'll become part of a supportive organisation that values innovation, professional development and wellbeing. In return, we offer:

• Competitive pay scales, reviewed annually
• 65% childcare discount (pro rata)
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Generous family leave provisions
• Christmas closure period
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday, with the option to buy additional leave
• Four dedicated training days each year
• Individual development plans and career progression opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Tech Scheme
• Length of Service Awards
• Summer and Christmas celebrations
• Pay advance support when needed
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support

Safer Recruitment

At Acorn, we're committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and expects all staff to share this commitment

Successful applicants will be required to:

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Provide two satisfactory references, with at least one being from the most recent employer
• Complete an Enhanced DBS check or provide relevant information if you are on the DBS update service
• To share information of any Social Care, LADO or Police involvement in the past or at present

Ready to make a difference?

If you are an inspiring leader who is passionate about early years education, outdoor learning and developing high-performing teams, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Competitive pay scales, reviewed annually
• 65% childcare discount (pro rata)
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Generous family leave provisions
• Christmas closure period
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday, with the option to buy additional leave
• Four dedicated training days each year
• Individual development plans and career progression opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Tech Scheme
• Length of Service Awards
• Summer and Christmas celebrations
• Pay advance support when needed
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support

Vacancy Reference: COLDH - MANAGER