Nursery Trainee Manager

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd.; Wimborne Minster; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£700 Welcome Bonus

Relocation support up to £3,000

Up to 60% childcare discount

Blue Light Card & Each Person platform

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance with a day

Job summary

Tops Wimborne, part of Tops Day Nurseries Ltd., is seeking a Nursery Trainee Manager to support daily operations and help nurture a safe, educational environment for children. You will work closely with the Nursery Manager and team to develop leadership skills within a childcare setting.

This full-time role offers a £16.20 per hour salary, 40 hours per week, and opportunities to grow within the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, with a family-friendly culture and strong commitment to

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
• Have a solid knowledge of the EYFS.
• Have a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support daily operations, ensuring health, safety, and regulatory compliance
• Assist in training, mentoring, and guiding staff to deliver quality childcare
• Monitor children’s development and implement educational activities
• Build strong relationships with parents, addressing concerns and promoting events
• Help with admin tasks like attendance, incident reports, and budgeting
• Support policy implementation and ensure staff and parent adherence
• Maintain a safe, hygienic environment with regular checks and upkeep
• Collaborate with the team to improve care and education quality

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding procedures

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Job description

Nursery Trainee Manager

Location:Wimborne, Dorset, United KingdomDorset

Job type: Full TimePermanent

Salary:£16.20 Hour

Contracted Hours:40 hours per week

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe great childcare starts with great people. Since 1990, we have been creating inspiring early years environments where children thrive and colleagues are valued, supported, and given room to grow. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, every team member has a voice, a stake in our success, and real opportunities to shape their future.

With more than 30 nurseries across the South of England, we offer rewarding opportunities for Apprentices, Nursery Practitioners, Nursery Managers, and Casual Staff who share our passion for outstanding early years care.

Proud winners of the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025, we are proud to be a place where people love to work and children love to learn.

About the Nursery Trainee Manager Role

Do you have Early Years Leadership experience and looking for a fresh new challenge?

As a Nursery Trainee Manager, you will support the day-to-day operations of the nursery, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children. This role is designed for individuals aspiring to develop management skills within a childcare setting. You will work closely with the Nursery Manager and staff to promote high standards of care and education.

About the Nursery

Tops Wimborne is an 80-place day nursery and preschool set within a beautiful conservation area, with exceptional access to outdoor learning environments. Located beside The Way Field, the nursery makes the most of nature with features such as a pond, orienteering routes, and expansive outdoor spaces that bring learning beyond the classroom walls. The nursery also offers enriching experiences including Forest School, cooking school, and yoga, creating a nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and thrive through active play and discovery.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family.

• £700 Welcome Bonus to kick-start your journey with us
• Relocation support of up to £3,000 (T&Cs apply)
• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
• Health & wellbeing support- NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• A generous holiday allowance- including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!

As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website:

What does the Nursery Manager role involve?

• Support daily operations, ensuring health, safety, and regulatory compliance
• Assist in training, mentoring, and guiding staff to deliver quality childcare
• Monitor children’s development and implement educational activities
• Build strong relationships with parents, addressing concerns and promoting events
• Help with admin tasks like attendance, incident reports, and budgeting
• Support policy implementation and ensure staff and parent adherence
• Maintain a safe, hygienic environment with regular checks and upkeep
• Collaborate with the team to improve care and education quality

What are we looking for?

• A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.

• Have a solid knowledge of the EYFS
• Have a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures

Important Safeguarding Information
Because this role involves regulated activity with children, all candidates must:

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
• Be eligible to work in regulated roles- not on the Children’s Barred List.
• Successfully complete background and reference checks.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.