Trainee Nursery Manager

The Old Station Nursery Group; Twigworth; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare for first month

52% childcare discount

33 days holiday incl birthday off

Volunteer day yearly

Perkbox discounts

Blue Light Card eligibility

Performance bonus

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery is seeking a Trainee Nursery Manager at Mottershead Drive. You’ll follow a structured development journey with mentorship from an experienced Nursery Manager and your Area Manager, with clear milestones to grow into leadership.

You’ll lead and support a team, manage rotas and budgets, and build strong relationships with families. A Level 3 EYFS qualification is required, with a focus on safeguarding and progression within the Deputy to Manager pathway.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Experience leading colleagues in an Early Years setting.
• Experience as Deputy Manager or Third in Charge preferred.
• Strong safeguarding and EYFS knowledge.
• Willingness to learn, reflect and ask for help.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support your team to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusive practice at heart of decisions.
• Build relationships with families and professionals.
• Manage staffing, rotas, budgets and occupancy.
• Coach colleagues and help them grow.
• Maintain safe environments and EYFS compliance.
• Prepare for inspections and turn feedback into improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Staff coaching

Safeguarding

EYFS knowledge

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Join Our Team as a Trainee Nursery Manager

Ready to lead your own nursery? We’ll help you get there.

As Trainee Nursery Manager at Mottershead Drive, you’ll follow a structured development journey, learning through practical experience with an experienced mentor and your Area Manager alongside you.

Perhaps you’re a Deputy Manager or Third in Charge who wants to run their own nursery but would welcome support with managing people, budgets or the bigger picture. You don’t need to know everything before you begin. That’s what this opportunity is for.

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing - little humans and big humans alike. That includes our future nursery leaders.

Pay: £30,000 per annum.
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday.

Training and Support to Help You Grow

• Your own mentor: Fortnightly meetings with an experienced Nursery Manager to talk through challenges, share advice and build your confidence.

• Hands-on Area Manager support: Weekly check-ins during your first six months, including guidance on rotas, budgets, staffing and occupancy.

• A structured 90-day induction: Clear milestones to help you settle in, build your skills and recognise your progress.

• A dedicated development programme: A place on our Deputy to Manager programme, launching in January, learning alongside colleagues taking a similar step.

• Ongoing learning: Access to The National College, with courses to develop your Early Years practice and leadership.

Why Join Our Team?

• Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.

• Time to recharge: 33 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years’ service.

• Community connection: One paid volunteering day each year.

• Everyday support: Perkbox discounts, wellbeing tools and online medical services, plus eligibility for a Blue Light Card.

• Recognition: Employee of the Month, long-service awards, referral bonuses and a discretionary annual performance bonus.

Where You’ll Be Working

The Old Station Nursery Mottershead is dedicated to creating a warm and inviting environment where children aged 0-4 start their early years education. Our outdoor learning area consists of three separated spaces that provide a mixture of surfaces, play equipment, resources and activities for all children to explore, including our very own ‘Buggingham Palace’. The Old Station Nursery, located at the end of Mottershead Drive near Innsworth Primary School, with plenty of on-street parking.

Location:

The Old Station Nursery Mottershead Drive
54-56 Mottershead Drive
Innsworth
Gloucestershire
GL3 1EH

What You’ll Be Doing

With guidance from your Area Manager and mentor, you’ll develop your skills in:

• Leading and supporting your team to deliver high-quality care and education

• Keeping safeguarding, children’s wellbeing and inclusive practice at the heart of decisions

• Building trusting relationships with families and professionals

• Managing staffing, rotas, budgets and occupancy

• Coaching colleagues and helping them grow

• Maintaining safe environments, accurate records and practice that meets EYFS requirements

• Preparing for inspections and turning feedback into improvements

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. You’ll bring them to life through taking responsibility, listening with empathy and helping your team succeed.

What We’re Looking For

You must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.

You’ll have experience of leading colleagues in an Early Years setting, ideally as a Deputy Manager or Third in Charge. Experienced Room Leaders with broader leadership responsibilities are also welcome to apply.

You’ll bring strong safeguarding and EYFS knowledge, a supportive approach, good organisation and a willingness to learn, reflect and ask for help.

Whether you’re already part of TOSN or joining us from elsewhere, you don’t need previous Nursery Manager experience - we’re recruiting for potential.

Take Your Next Step

Ready to grow into nursery leadership? Bring your experience and ambition. We’ll help you build on them.

Questions? Contact [e-mail].

We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare. This role involves regulated activity with children and is subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, right-to-work and qualification checks. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and will consider reasonable adjustments to support a fair, accessible recruitment process.

INDRED