Regional Nursery Manager

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd.; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Electric company car

Performance bonus scheme

Employee Ownership Trust bonus

Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops  

Blue Light Card & Each Person platform

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance including a

Job summary

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd. is seeking an experienced Regional Nursery Manager (West) to lead multiple nursery settings across our West region.

The role combines hands-on leadership with strategic oversight, balancing commercial performance with a caring, child-centered approach. The successful candidate will support Nursery Managers, drive occupancy, monitor KPIs and ensure safeguarding and Ofsted readiness across all sites.

Qualifications

• Experience in early years leadership across multiple sites is essential.
• Strong operational leadership with track record of improving performance.
• Ability to interpret KPIs and drive occupancy and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Support and develop Nursery Managers and leadership teams.
• Drive occupancy and operational performance across sites.
• Monitor KPIs, identify trends and risks.
• Support wage efficiency and rota management.
• Lead on performance improvement plans where needed.
• Support safeguarding, complaints and compliance management.
• Assist Ofsted readiness and action planning.
• Build strong relationships with teams, parents and external professionals.
• Support policy implementation and operational change.
• Foster a positive, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Collaborate with Quality, HR, Recruitment and Finance teams.
• Identify concerns early and engage appropriate support.

Skills

Early years leadership

Multi-site management

Operational leadership

KPI awareness

Commercial mindset

Job description

Regional Nursery Manager (West)

Work location: Hybrid working, with travel across the West region.

West region locations: Babbacombe, Bretonside, Corfe Mullen, Devonport, Exeter, Gillingham, Mini Mariners, Musgrove, Poole, Prince Rock, Salisbury, Stonehouse, Topsie Yeovil, Trowbridge, Warminster, Wimborne and Yeovil

Job type: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum.

Contracted Hours: 40 Hours per week

Benefits: Electric company car, Performance bonus scheme, Employee Ownership Trust bonus.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe children deserve the very best start in life and that happy, supported teams create the best experiences for children and families.

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious Regional Manager to support and lead multiple nursery settings across our West region.

This is a senior operational leadership role where you will work closely with the Regional Director to support operational performance, leadership capability, culture, compliance and consistency across a group of nursery settings.

We are looking for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys developing people and can confidently balance commercial awareness with genuine care for children, families and teams.

What you will be responsible for

• Supporting and developing Nursery Managers and leadership teams
• Driving occupancy and operational performance
• Monitoring KPIs and identifying trends and risks
• Supporting wage efficiency and rota management
• Leading on performance improvement plans where required
• Supporting safeguarding, complaints and compliance management
• Supporting Ofsted readiness and action planning
• Building strong relationships with teams, parents and external professionals
• Supporting operational change and policy implementation
• Creating positive, accountable and high-performing cultures
• Working collaboratively with specialist support teams including Quality, HR, Recruitment and Finance
• Identifying concerns early and ensuring appropriate support is engaged where needed

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone who:

• Experience within early years leadership and multi-site management is essential.
• Strong operational leadership experience
• Commercially aware and confident using KPIs
• can lead with warmth while maintaining accountability
• Calm under pressure and solution-focused
• Communicates openly and honestly
• Genuinely cares about people and outcomes
• Can confidently challenge and support managers
• Proactive rather than reactive
• Thrives in a visible and hands-on leadership role

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.

• Electric company car
• Performance bonus
• Employee-owned trust bonus
• 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!

Why join Tops?

Tops is a purpose-led, employee-owned business that genuinely cares about creating the best possible experience for children, families and teams.

We are ambitious, values-driven and committed to building a workplace where people feel supported, developed and able to make a real difference.

This is an opportunity to join a business where your voice matters, your leadership has impact and you can genuinely influence operational success and culture across the region

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.

#INDHP