Nursery Manager

Busy Bees; Oadby; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 25% annual salary bonus

33 days' holiday including bank hols

Birthday day off

Childcare discount

Professional development

Family leave & return-to-work bonus

Menopause support & wellbeing tools

Cycle to Work

Private medical insurance discount

Travel opportunities

Hive benefits platform access

Wellbeing Hub & mental health support

Job summary

Busy Bees Leicester Oadby is seeking an experienced Deputy to step up to a full Nursery Manager role in a welcoming, purpose-built setting. You will lead a committed early years team, maintain high standards of care and education, and collaborate with regional teams to drive quality and occupancy goals.

This development opportunity rewards leadership with autonomy from day one, a strong support structure, and ongoing professional development within a trusted Busy Bees network.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and deputy management track record in a childcare setting.
• Solid understanding of EYFS and Ofsted expectations.
• Experience supporting inspections or quality improvement work.

Responsibilities

• Take full Nursery Manager responsibility for a well-supported setting.
• Lead and develop a high-performing early years team.
• Ensure high standards of care, education, safeguarding and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement in practice and outcomes for children.
• Own staffing, performance and day-to-day operations.
• Build strong relationships with families and the local community.
• Work with regional leadership to support quality and occupancy goals.

Skills

Leadership

Deputy Manager experience

EYFS knowledge

Staff development

Education

NNEB / BTEC Nat Dip / CACHE Dip / NVQ Level 3

Job description

Role Overview:

Nursery Manager (Development Opportunity for High-Performing Deputies) £35,000-£40,000,000 per annum DOE

About the benefits

• Up to 25% annual salary bonus
• Up to 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays)
• Y our birthday off - our gift to you!
• Substantial childcare discount
• Ongoing professional development & training
• Enhanced family leave & return-to-work bonus
• Menopause support, financial wellbeing tools, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme & easy-access pension plan
• Discounted private medical insurance
• Opportunities to travel internationally and explore best practices in early years education with our talent exchange programme
• A ccess to our Hive benefits platform - with exclusive retail discounts and wellbeing resources

And that's just the beginning! Our Hive Wellbeing Hub also offers mental health support, a dedicated Celebrating You space to recognise your achievements, and a Grow With Us programme to fuel your career ambitions.

About the opportunity and why this role is different

• This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Deputy Nursery Manager who is ready to progress into a full Nursery Manager role.
• You will take full leadership responsibility for a nursery, supported by a strong regional team and central support teams.
• We are looking for someone who is already performing at a high level in a deputy role and is ready to step into broader ownership, decision-making, and leadership accountability.
• You will be trusted with autonomy from day one, supported by a strong regional and central structure designed to help you succeed, not micro-manage you.

About Busy Bees Leicester Oadby

Busy Bees Leicester Oadby is a lovely, welcoming nursery, proudly rated Good by Ofsted, with capacity for up to 52 children. Established in 2000, our purpose-built nursery has been thoughtfully designed all on one level, creating a friendly, happy and nurturing environment where children feel safe, settled and ready to explore.

Our nursery features three spacious and inviting rooms, offering plenty of space for little ones to play, discover, learn and develop at their own pace. Every day brings new opportunities to spark curiosity, build confidence and create those special early years memories!

And there's an added bonus for our colleagues - free staff parking, making your daily commute that little bit easier.

With its welcoming atmosphere, established setting and close-knit nursery environment, Leicester Oadby is a wonderful place to lead, inspire and make a real difference to children's lives.

Come and be part of our Busy Bees family and help our little learners shine!

Role Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities

• Step into full Nursery Manager responsibility for a well-supported setting
• Lead and develop a high-performing early years team
• Ensure high standards of care, education, safeguarding, and compliance
• Drive continuous improvement in practice and outcomes for children
• Take ownership of staffing, performance, and day-to-day operations
• Build strong relationships with families and your local community
• Work with regional leadership to support quality and occupancy goals

Required Qualifications:

About you

We are looking for a Deputy Manager who is ready for progression and can demonstrate:

• Strong, proven performance in a Deputy Nursery Manager role preferably supernumery
• Confidence leading rooms, staff, or key areas of a setting
• Solid understanding of EYFS and Ofsted expectations
• Experience supporting inspections or quality improvement work
• The ability to lead teams, influence practice, and manage responsibility
• A clear ambition to step into full nursery leadership

You may already be acting up into manager responsibilities or leading significant areas of your current setting.

Qualifications and Experience

• NNEB, BTEC Nat Dip, CACHE Dip in Childcare, or NVQ Level 3.
• Experience as a Nursery Manager or Assistant Nursery Manager.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• A focus on delivering high-quality childcare and early education.

If you are a Deputy Nursery Manager ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.