Nursery Manager

YMCA; Southampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity is seeking a qualified early years leader to oversee operations in a vibrant setting. Responsibilities include managing staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing an enriching play-based environment for children. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in childcare leadership and a commitment to childhood development.

Benefits

Employer pension

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Life assurance

Wellbeing assistance programme

Qualifications

• 3 years of leadership experience in an early years setting.
• First aid qualification or willingness to train.
• Good IT working knowledge including Windows, Word, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational management.
• Maintain an exciting and child-led play-based environment.
• Manage nursery as a business, contributing to budget writing.

Skills

Leadership

Child Development

Budget Management

Mentoring

Safeguarding

IT Knowledge

Education

Minimum level 5 Childcare qualification

Level 4 safeguarding qualification

Job description

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• Employer pension
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days
• Additional leave to purchase (up to 10 days per year)
• Celebration leave
• Life assurance
• Day camps discounts: 1 week free and 1 week at 50% per child per annum
• Campsite and activities discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor
• 30% discount on food
• Wellbeing assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding leadership and operational management in line with the YMCA Way
• Maintain an exciting and inspirational child-led, play-based environment utilising the outdoors as much as possible
• Manage, recruit, train, support and inspire an outstanding staff team able to meet the needs of all children in our care
• Manage the nursery as a business, contributing to the writing and monitoring of an annual budget and implementing marketing and sales plans to achieve income and occupancy targets
• Follow the YMCA pedagogy and curriculum, using systems to monitor children’s progress, share information with parents and plan activities to support each child’s development
• Maintain full regulatory and legislative approval, including meeting Ofsted, Environmental Health and Health and Safety requirements, this includes seeking an Ofsted grade of ‘Outstanding’
• To ensure compliance with all YMCA policies and procedures. These include Child protection, Health and Safety, Human Resources and Financial policies

Qualifications/Experience

• Hold a minimum level 5 Childcare qualification, or hold an excellent understanding of child development and be willing to study towards a level 5 and/or 6 qualification
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in an early years setting
• Evidence of achieving high quality of care, over and above that required by EYFS
• Hold level 4 safeguarding qualification or willingness to work towards
• Ability to work to budgets
• Good IT working knowledge, including Windows, Word, and Excel (training will be given on nursery software)
• First aid qualification (or willingness to train)
• Skills in mentoring and coaching staff and students

Early Years Setting

In all YMCA settings, children’s needs come first. Children are cared for and nurtured; supported to challenge and develop themselves, and most importantly allowed to play and enjoy their childhood. We believe children learn best through play, particularly using the outdoor environment. We aim to provide a secure and stimulating environment where children can develop emotionally, intellectually, morally, physically, and socially, at their own pace. Staff use the “YMCA Way” to ensure every child secures the very best outcomes and staff are able to excel.

Successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are an equal opportunities charity with commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.

Please apply now for this rewarding position and be part of an amazing charity who continue to support and achieve wonderful things within the community.