Nursery Manager

TeacherActive Limited.; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

TeacherActive Limited is seeking a Nursery Leader in the Nottingham area. You will provide strong, inspirational leadership to the nursery team, act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and SENCo, and ensure EYFS compliance across daily operations.

Responsibilities include staff recruitment, induction, appraisals, safeguarding training, liaising with parents and external professionals, preparing for Ofsted inspections, and driving continuous improvement while maintaining a safe, stimulating

Qualifications

• Level 3 Early Years/Childcare qualification required (minimum).
• GCSE Maths or equivalent is required.
• Proven leadership or management experience in an early years setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong, inspirational leadership to the nursery team.
• Oversee day-to-day running of the nursery and operations.
• Lead staff recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisals and performance management.
• Maintain EYFS staff deployment and ratios; ensure safeguarding compliance.
• Support staff training, development, wellbeing and progression.
• Act as DSL and SENCo; lead safeguarding and SEND practices.
• Lead partnership development and compliance with Ofsted and regulations.
• Prepare for inspections, audits, and regulatory visits.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

SENCo

DSL

Ofsted

Communication

Team management

Policy compliance

Education

Level 3 Early Years/Childcare

GCSE Maths

Job description

North West/ permanent / £15 - 16 per hour

• Provide strong, inspirational leadership to the nursery team, promoting a positive, professional, and reflective culture.
• Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring smooth and effective operations.
• Lead staff recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisals, and performance management.
• Ensure effective staff deployment and maintain statutory ratios in line with EYFS requirements.
• Support and promote staff training, development, wellbeing, and progression.

Safeguarding (DSL)

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the setting.
• Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented, reviewed, and consistently followed.
• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, referrals, and multi-agency working.
• Maintain accurate, confidential safeguarding records in line with statutory guidance.
• Provide safeguarding guidance, oversight, and training to staff.

SEND & Inclusion (SENCo)

• Act as SENCo, leading inclusive practice across the setting.
• Identify, support, and monitor children with SEND, ensuring timely interventions.
• Develop, implement, and review SEND support plans and individual strategies.
• Liaise effectively with parents, carers, external professionals, and local authorities.
• Ensure reasonable adjustments and inclusive learning environments are in place.
• Ensure high-quality teaching, learning, and care in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Monitor planning, observations, and assessments to track children’s progress and outcomes.
• Lead self-evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement planning.
• Ensure the nursery environment is safe, stimulating, and enabling for all children.

Partnership & Compliance

• Build strong, trusting partnerships with parents and carers.
• Ensure full compliance with Ofsted, EYFS, safeguarding, health & safety, and welfare requirements.
• Oversee the development, review, and implementation of policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Prepare for and manage inspections, audits, and regulatory visits.

Safeguarding

At our nursery, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We follow robust safeguarding procedures in line with current legislation and local guidance. Staff are regularly trained to recognise and respond to signs of all forms of neglect, abuse, extremism and exploitation. Safeguarding is central to everything we do, and safeguarding is the responsibility of every member of our team. We operate strict safer recruitment processes, including enhanced criminal record checks, references, and qualification verification, to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children.

• We work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to ensure every child is safe, supported, and protected.
• Uphold the nursery’s safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are managed in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• Maintain confidentiality, accurate record keeping, and data protection standards.
• Report concerns swiftly as DSL.
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is an essential requirement for this role.

Person Specification

• Full and relevant Level 3 qualification in Early Years/Childcare (minimum requirement), including GCSE Maths (or equivalent).
• Proven experience in a leadership or management role within an early years setting.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the EYFS, child development, safeguarding, and SEND.
• Experience of leading staff teams and managing performance.
• Ability to manage compliance, policies, and regulatory requirements effectively.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organisational, and decision‑making skills.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• DSL and SENCo qualification or significant experience in these roles.
• Experience leading an Ofsted inspection and implementing post‑inspection action plans.
• Paediatric First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience working with multi‑agency professionals and external services.
• Leadership or management training within early years.

TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer and operates as an Employment Business and Employment Agency in providing temporary, contract and permanent job seeking services.