Operations and Quality Manager

Little Explorers Nursery Group; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Quality & Operations Manager to drive strategic leadership and maintain high-quality standards across its nursery portfolio. The ideal candidate will cultivate a strong early years education environment, ensure compliance with Ofsted standards, and manage multi-site operations effectively. This role requires a robust background in early years education and strong leadership skills, along with a clean driving license for travel across key locations.

Benefits

Annual car allowance

Qualifications

• Demonstrable leadership in early years settings or nursery groups.
• Experience managing multi-site operations or large complex settings.
• Proven success in improving Ofsted outcomes and enhancing pedagogical standards.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic leadership across nursery portfolio.
• Own and lead quality strategy across all nurseries.
• Conduct quality assurance visits and audits.
• Ensure compliance with Ofsted standards.

Skills

Inspirational leader

Excellent communicator

Analytical problem-solver

Coaching capability

Emotional intelligence

Education

Level 3 (or above) in Early Years Education

Job description

Job Title: Quality & Operations Manager

Reports to: Managing Director

Direct Reports: Nursery Managers (across all sites)

Purpose of the Role

As Quality & Operations Manager, you will drive strategic leadership across our nursery portfolio—championing excellence in early years education, safeguarding, compliance, and commercial performance. Partnering closely with the Managing Director and nursery teams, you will translate our vision into measurable, sustainable quality and operational success.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Early Years Excellence

• Own and lead our quality strategy across all nurseries, ensuring consistently high standards and Outstanding practice.
• Serve as the lead champion of our EYFS curriculum, fostering consistency, innovation, and pedagogical excellence.
• Conduct regular in-depth quality assurance visits and audits—leading entry to action planning, coaching, and outcomes tracking.
• Perform the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the group, supporting nursery DSLs to embed best-in-class safeguarding.
• Cultivate continuous professional development journeys that elevate early years provision across all settings.

Strategic Leadership & Vision Deployment

• Collaborate with the MD to shape and deliver the group’s long-term vision, values, and strategic quality goals.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that drive continuous improvement in both educational and business performance.
• Spearhead service expansion and growth strategies in support of long-term sustainability.

Operational Oversight & Manager Development

• Ensure consistent, efficient day‑to‑day operations across all nursery settings.
• Mentor and develop Nursery Managers—providing best practice guidance, training, and performance oversight.
• Partner with HR on staffing, retention, and recruitment strategies to underpin quality and compliance.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Guarantee all settings meet or exceed Ofsted standards and statutory regulatory requirements.
• Lead preparations, mock inspections, and responses to external audits.
• Develop and continuously refine policies in line with legislative updates and sector best practice.

Financial & Commercial Responsibility

• Support the MD by monitoring budgets, occupancy, fee collection, and profitability—always with a quality-first mindset.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and innovation in service delivery.
• Oversee procurement and resource optimization with cost‑effectiveness and quality in mind.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Represent the nursery group with external partners, regulatory bodies, and professional networks.
• Foster trust-based relationships with families, staff, and community stakeholders.
• Prepare and present board-level quality reporting as required (e.g. board packs).

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 3 (or above) in Early Years Education as per DfE standards.

Experience

• Demonstrable leadership in early years settings or nursery groups.
• Experience managing multi-site operations or large complex settings.
• Proven success in improving Ofsted outcomes and enhancing pedagogical standards.
• Senior-level people management responsibilities.

Skills & Attributes

• Inspirational leader with strong coaching and team-development capability.
• Excellent communicator and relationship-builder.
• Analytical, strategic problem-solver with sharp attention to detail.
• Professional integrity paired with emotional intelligence.
• Resilient and adaptable in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Ofsted ratings and quality audit outcomes across settings
• Growth in occupancy and revenue
• Staff retention and engagement metrics
• Compliance audit results and policy adherence
• Parental satisfaction scores

Please note that this role covers geography from Gloucester, Reading, Andover and Portsmouth and as such a clean Driving License is required. A annual car allowance is included in salary package.