Nursery Manager (Maternity cover)

MP Training and Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Bonus up to £6,000

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave

Pension

Job summary

Bright Horizons Kew Nursery in Richmond (TW9) is hiring a Nursery Manager for a fixed-term maternity cover (~12 months) starting Sept 2026. The role leads a 66-place setting, drives outstanding care and education, and partners with support offices to develop staff and deliver commercial plans.

You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring regulatory compliance and safeguarding. Competitive benefits and progression await.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3+ Early Years qualification.
• Experience in Early Years leadership (Nursery Manager/Deputy/Assistant).
• Experience with regulatory inspections leading to Good/Outstanding outcomes.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and child-protection understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver outstanding care and education to children.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage safeguarding policies.
• Collaborate with support office to recruit, develop staff and drive commercial plans.
• Optimise nursery performance, revenue and cost efficiency within staffing ratios.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Safeguarding

Early Years Level 3

Stakeholder management

Decision making

Education

Early Years Level 3+ qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Kew Day Nursery and PreschoolSalary – Up to £59,529.60 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)Contract - Fixed Term maternity cover from Sept 2026 for approx 12 monthsLocation – Richmond, London, TW9Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”We’re looking for a Nursery Manager to join our Kew Nursery.Bright Horizons Kew Nursery is situated on the site of a primary school. We're less than a 10 minute walk from Kew Gardens station on the District line and also have free parking just a short walk away.Our 66-place nursery is proudly Ofsted rated ‘Good’ and consists of bright, colourful rooms tailored for each age group. Our nursery also features a fantastic outdoor space for the children to explore, fully equipped with a sandpit and climbing frame!Our BenefitsChildcare discount of 100% for first childCompetitive bonus of up to £6,000, awarded in line with Ofsted inspection outcomesEnhanced parental leave25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*PensionFinancial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and moreProfessional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach*Subject to T&CsThe RoleAs a Nursery Manager, you will lead a team to deliver outstanding care and education to all the children in your setting, and through inspirational leadership drive employee engagement, retention and performance. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, holding overall responsibility for the day to day running of the nursery, and management of safeguarding policies. You will work in partnership with support office teams to recruit, nurture, and continuously develop high performing colleagues, as well as identify and implement commercial plans and strategies to deliver FTE growth. You will optimise nursery performance, revenue generation, and cost efficiency in line with staff ratio requirements.What we’re looking forFull and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualificationExperience within an Early Years leadership role (ideally as a Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager or similar)Experience of participating with a regulatory inspection, leading to a ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ outcomeExperience of developing high performance teams, with effective regulatory compliance, quality improvement, delivery of high-quality pedagogy, innovation and service excellenceConfident decision maker, with ability to support change and understanding of complex relationship between commercial and service excellence within a regulated settingStrong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with childrenAbility to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carersWe are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today! INDNMPBright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years. Apply today!We look forward to receiving your application!