Nursery Manager

Willing Recruitment; Woking; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Willing Recruitment is helping a family-run nursery in Woking recruit an experienced Nursery Manager. You will lead day-to-day operations, support a caring team and ensure consistently high-quality Early Years experiences for children.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, safeguarding and EYFS compliance, with a focus on nurturing a warm, personal environment for families and staff.

Qualifications

• Essential: full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Previous Nursery Manager experience.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing an Early Years team.
• Nurturing and child-centred leadership approach.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication with children, families and colleagues.
• Passion for supporting confidence, independence and individual development.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the setting.
• Lead, support and develop the nursery team.
• Maintain high standards of care and education in line with the EYFS.
• Create a positive environment where children and practitioners feel valued and supported.
• Oversee safeguarding, compliance, staffing and operational standards.
• Build strong and trusting relationships with families.
• Support continuous improvement across the nursery.
• Ensure children's individual needs and interests remain central to everyday practice.
• Maintain the warm, family-run culture that makes the nursery feel personal and welcoming.

Skills

Team development

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

Child-centred leadership

Communication with families

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

This welcoming, family-run nursery has created a warm and nurturing environment where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, become more independent and develop the skills that will support them throughout their next stages.

We’re looking for an experienced Nursery Manager who can bring strong leadership while keeping that close-knit, personal feel at the heart of the nursery. You’ll lead the day-to-day running of the setting, support your team to develop and ensure every child receives consistently high-quality Early Years experiences.

What We’re Looking For

• A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above – essential
• Previous Nursery Manager experience
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing an Early Years team
• A nurturing and child-centred approach to leadership
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication with children, families and colleagues
• A passion for supporting confidence, independence and individual development

Leading the Nursery

• Take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the setting
• Lead, support and develop the nursery team
• Maintain high standards of care and education in line with the EYFS
• Create a positive environment where children and practitioners feel valued and supported
• Oversee safeguarding, compliance, staffing and operational standards
• Build strong and trusting relationships with families
• Support continuous improvement across the nursery
• Ensure children's individual needs and interests remain central to everyday practice
• Maintain the warm, family-run culture that makes the nursery feel personal and welcoming

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with safeguarding responsibilities.

Reference: WILL258789/MW

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