Nursery Manager (Mat Cover)

The Old Station Nursery Group; Morebath; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare for the first month

52% discount for family

Discretionary annual bonus

33 days holiday incl bank holidays and

Birthday off

Self-Space mental health workshops

National College training access

Perkbox discounts

Long-service awards

Volunteer day

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery Group is seeking a Nursery Manager on a fixed contract (Mat Cover) for our Bampton setting in Oxfordshire. You will lead a dedicated team to deliver high‑quality care and early education, ensuring a nurturing environment for children and strong partnerships with families.

You should hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or above and have proven leadership experience within an early years setting.

Qualifications

• Must hold Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Proven experience in an Early Years leadership role (Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and inspire your nursery team to deliver high‑quality care and education.
• Create a nurturing and stimulating environment supporting children's development.
• Build strong relationships with families and external agencies for best outcomes.
• Oversee nursery operations including staff rosters, budgets, health and safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Mentor staff and drive continuous improvement while upholding EYFS and Ofsted standards.

Skills

Leadership

EYFS knowledge

Communication

Organization

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Join Our Team as a Nursery Manager - Fixed Contract (Mat Cover)

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact on children’s lives? At Bampton, we’re seeking a passionate Nursery Manager to guide our team and deliver exceptional care and education. This is your opportunity to lead with pride, foster a nurturing environment, and create brighter futures for children, families, and your team.

To be considered for this role, you must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.The ideal candidate will have proven experience in an Early Years leadership role, ideally as a Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, or in a comparable position.

Please note: we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

We know our people make all the difference, so here’s how we make a difference for you:

• Childcare Perks: Free childcare for the first month and 52% discount (based on working hours) to support your family.
• Discretionary Annual Bonus:An additional performance-based reward, given at the company’s discretion, to recognise great work and team contribution.
• Holiday and Celebrations: 33days of holiday (inclusive of national bank holidays and the Christmas closure week), plus your birthday off!
• Self-Space Mental Health Workshops: Short, practical sessions that help managers identify mental health concerns and confidently support their teams.
• Career Development: Access to The National College full of training and courses
• Exclusive Discounts & Wellbeing Support: Enjoy Perkbox discounts and wellbeing tools.
• Recognition & Rewards: Refer a friend or family for exciting bonuses and celebrate milestones with long-service awards.
• Volunteer Day:1 paid day off per year to volunteer and give back to the community.

Pay

Pay:£42,000 per Annum, based on experience (40 Hours)
Working Hours:Monday to Friday - 40 hours a week over 4 full days for 5 shortere days (Fixed Contract - Mat Cover)
Location:The Old Station Nursery Bampton,Bowling Green Close,Bampton,Oxfordshire,OX18 2NJ

What being a Nursery Manager involves

As a Nursery Manager, you’ll:

• Lead, manage, and inspire your nursery team to deliver high-quality care and education with pride and energy.
• Create a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports children’s all-round development and meets individual needs.
• Build positive relationships with families, colleagues, and external agencies to ensure the best outcomes for children.
• Oversee nursery operations, including staff schedules, budgets, health and safety, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Act as a mentor, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and supporting the professional development of your team.
• Promote the ethos and values of The Old Station Nursery, ensuring they are deeply embedded in daily practice.
• Take responsibility for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and safety across the nursery.
• Confidently lead inspections and maintain accurate records to ensure compliance with the EYFS framework and Ofsted standards.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

• Proven experience in managing and inspiring teams within a childcare setting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the EYFS framework and best practices in early years education.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor, motivate, and drive a team towards excellence.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills to build positive partnerships with families and staff.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a passion for creating brighter futures for children.

About our Nursery

Our Bampton nursery is a small setting nestled in the charming village of Bampton at the end of Bowling Green Close, right next to Bampton Primary School.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and verification of your right to work in the UK and any essential qualifications. If successful, our recruitment and compliance team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to ensure fairness and accessibility for all candidates.

INDRED