Childcare Centre Manager- Ridgewood

Tigers Childcare; Swords; Remote; EUR 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 paid holiday days

10% discount on health plan

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Educational Assistance Programme

CPD and career development

Onboarding induction, colleague events

Quarterly paid team meetings

Break room facilities & on-siteParking

Job summary

Tigers Childcare is seeking a Centre Manager in Swords to lead a busy childcare centre with a focus on quality, safety, and staff development. You will oversee operations, ensure compliance, and drive a nurturing, educational environment aligned with regulatory requirements.

You will balance hands-on work with children and management duties, leading a team to deliver a dynamic curriculum while staying informed about sector developments and safeguarding policies.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 6 in Early Childhood Care and Education (Level 7/8 preferred)
• At least 3 years post-qualification experience in an early years setting, ideally with leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong understanding of inclusive early childhood education
• In-depth knowledge of current childcare legislation and regulatory requirements
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills

Responsibilities

• Act as the Designated Person in Charge, overseeing all aspects of centre operations.
• Lead the delivery of a dynamic emergent curriculum, tailored to meet the individual needs of children.
• Monitor and uphold high standards in quality, safety, hygiene, and care across the centre.
• Be the point person for Child Protection, acting as Deputy Designated Liaison, and ensure all related concerns are recorded, reported, and resolved.
• Collaborate with your Deputy Manager to drive centre development, including funding opportunities and occupancy optimisation.
• Serve as the Designated First Aid and Fire Safety Person.
• Maintain professional relationships with external agencies, such as Tusla and the Early Intervention Team.
• Be present and prepared during Early Years Inspections, ensuring full compliance and transparency.
• Stay up to date on all sector developments through networking, training, and media.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Inclusive early childhood education

Education

Level 6 Early Childhood Care and Education

Level 7/8 preferred

Job description

Centre Manager – Tigers Childcare
Ridgewood | Full-time | Permanent Contract | €21.84 to €23.39 per hour

At Tigers Childcare, we don’t just hire for roles - we hire for impact. Whether you work directly with children, support behind the scenes, or lead teams across services, your work helps shape a nurturing environment where children - and colleagues - can thrive.
If you're organised, values-driven, and ready to contribute to something bigger, this could be your next chapter.

Why We Do What We Do

Tigers Childcare creates exceptional environments where children thrive through play, exploration and meaningful relationships. With 33 centres and growing, we’re one of Ireland’s leading childcare providers - committed to quality, inclusion and continuous improvement.

The same values that guide how we support children - curiosity, care, consistency and high expectations - shape how we support our teams. At Tigers, we invest in your development, prioritise wellbeing, and make sure everyone feels they belong.

How You’ll Make an Impact

As Centre Manager, you’ll be a senior leader at your centre, balancing hands-on work with children and day-to-day operations to ensure quality, compliance, and community are at the heart of everything we do.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Act as the Designated Person in Charge, overseeing all aspects of centre operations.

Lead the delivery of a dynamic emergent curriculum, tailored to meet the individual needs of children.

Monitor and uphold high standards in quality, safety, hygiene, and care across the centre.

Be the point person for Child Protection, acting as Deputy Designated Liaison, and ensure all related concerns are recorded, reported, and resolved.

Collaborate with your Deputy Manager to drive centre development, including funding opportunities and occupancy optimisation.

Serve as the Designated First Aid and Fire Safety Person.

Maintain professional relationships with external agencies, such as Tusla and the Early Intervention Team.

Be present and prepared during Early Years Inspections, ensuring full compliance and transparency.

Stay up to date on all sector developments through networking, training, and media.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Must-Haves:

Minimum Level 6 in Early Childhood Care and Education (Level 7/8 preferred)

At least 3 years post-qualification experience in an early years setting, ideally with leadership or supervisory experience

Strong understanding of inclusive early childhood education

In-depth knowledge of current childcare legislation and regulatory requirements

Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills

The Perks, the Pay, and the Purpose

What This Role Offers You:

A meaningful opportunity to lead and inspire a passionate childcare team

The chance to shape a nurturing, quality-driven childcare environment

A culture of professional growth, trust, and respect

Salary & Benefits:

Competitive salary (based on qualifications and experience)

• 30 paid holiday days (including bank holidays, with service-based increases)
• 10% discount on HSF Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Educational Assistance Programme
• CPD and career development opportunities
• Onboarding induction, colleague appreciation days, and quarterly paid team meetings
• Break room facilities and on-site parking

All roles are subject to Garda Vetting and reference checks in line with regulatory requirements and Tigers Childcare’s Safeguarding Policy . Tigers Childcare is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace .

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