Nursery Manager - Kids Planet Kettering

Kids Planet Day Nurseries Ltd.; Kettering; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

KP Academy training

Enhanced leave

Job summary

Kids Planet Kettering is looking for an experienced Nursery Manager to lead daily operations and ensure high-quality care and education in line with EYFS and Ofsted standards.

You will mentor the team, drive staff development, and foster strong relationships with families while upholding safeguarding duties and the company values. This role is on-site at our Kettering setting with a supportive central team.

Qualifications

• Must be Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Senior leadership experience within a nursery setting.
• GCSE Maths (or equivalent) to be gained within 2 years of starting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day running of the nursery and ensure delivery of high-quality care and education in line with EYFS and Ofsted.
• Lead, mentor and support the nursery team to maintain a positive, collaborative culture and high performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families and external agencies to support each child’s development and wellbeing, and ensure Ofsted readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Staff development

Education

Level 3 early years qualification

GCSE Maths or equivalent

Job description

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Kettering as a Nursery Manager!

We’re now looking for a Nursery Manager to join our team, someone who’s ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.

Why Kids Planet Kettering?

• A short walk from town and the train station
• Multi-cultural setting
• High qualified and established staff team
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women, for the second year running
• Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• Awarded one of the UK's Best Workplaces in Education & Training by Great Place to Work 2026
• 80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply

What we’ll offer our Nursery Manager:

• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it’s all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
• Friendly central support team always on hand to help.
• An exclusive Nursery Manager Bonus Scheme to reward your leadership and impact.

How you’ll make a difference as a Nursery Manager:

• By managing the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and education in line with the EYFS, Ofsted requirements, and the nursery’s policies and procedures.
• Through leading, mentoring, and supporting the nursery team, promoting a positive, collaborative, and professional culture while ensuring staff development and performance are maintained to a high standard.
• By building and maintaining strong, trusting relationships with families and external agencies, supporting each child’s development and wellbeing, and ensuring the nursery is always prepared for Ofsted inspections.

Requirements of a Nursery Manager:

• Must be at least Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Senior leadership experience within a nursery setting.
• In line with legal regulations, you must hold a GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths or gain it within 2 years of starting.

Sound like the place for you?

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self and flourish!

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.