Purpose of the role

The Nursery Manager will provide visible, hands-on leadership during the launch and early growth of Lily’s Nursery and Daycare. The postholder will ensure that children are safeguarded, that the nursery is ready to operate safely and effectively, and that families receive a welcoming, reliable and high-quality service.

Key responsibilities

·        Lead the nursery’s safeguarding culture and ensure children’s welfare, safety and wellbeing are promoted at all times.

·        Establish consistently high standards of care, early learning, inclusion, health, hygiene and parent partnership.

·        Build and lead a skilled, dependable and values-led staff team.

·        Prepare the nursery for opening, ensuring rooms, resources, records, policies, staffing and operational systems are in place.

·        Promote Lily’s Nursery and Daycare and lead the enquiry, visit, registration and settling-in journey so that places are filled responsibly and families feel confident choosing the nursery.

Main duties

1. Nursery opening and operational leadership

·        Create and deliver a practical opening plan, with clear actions, deadlines and readiness checks for staff, rooms, equipment, policies, records and family communications.

·        Plan staffing, rotas and deployment according to attendance, opening hours, room capacity and applicable regulatory requirements.

·        Maintain accurate operational records, including child records, personnel files, risk assessments, inventories, incidents, attendance and fee information.

·        Oversee the upkeep, cleanliness, security and safe maintenance of the premises, outdoor areas, equipment and resources.

·        Report regularly to the Proprietor / Director on opening readiness, quality, staffing, enrolment, occupancy, income and risks.

2. Safer recruitment, appointment and staff development

·        Produce a workforce plan that identifies the roles, qualifications, experience and number of staff needed as enrolment grows.

·        Advertise vacancies through appropriate local and digital channels, using clear job descriptions and person specifications that reflect Lily’s values and service standards.

·        Lead fair, efficient and safer recruitment: shortlist against agreed criteria, interview consistently, obtain references and complete all required pre-employment checks before employment begins.

·        Appoint staff who demonstrate strong childcare practice, reliability, teamwork, communication skills and a warm, respectful approach to children and families.

·        Provide structured induction, probation reviews, supervisions, appraisals, coaching and training so new staff can become effective quickly and continue to improve.

·        Maintain contingency arrangements, including suitable bank or agency cover where needed, to protect safe staffing and continuity for children.

3. Quality of care, learning and safeguarding

·        Ensure all staff understand and follow the nursery’s safeguarding, child-protection, behaviour, health and safety, equality, confidentiality and whistleblowing procedures.

·        Lead the implementation of the applicable early-years framework and all relevant legal, regulatory and registration requirements.

·        Monitor children’s progress, care routines and individual needs; ensure timely support and appropriate partnership working where additional needs are identified.

·        Use observations, parent feedback, staff supervision, audits and action plans to improve the quality of care and early learning.

·        Ensure the nursery provides an inclusive environment that respects every child’s background, culture, language, disability, health needs and family circumstances.

4. Marketing, enquiries and child enrolment

·        Develop and deliver a launch marketing plan using the nursery website, social media, local partnerships, community activity, printed materials, open days and parent recommendations.

·        Present the nursery professionally to prospective families; respond promptly to enquiries, arrange informative tours and explain the nursery’s offer, fees, availability and registration process clearly.

·        Manage an accurate enquiry log, waiting list and occupancy forecast by room and age group, using this information to guide recruitment and marketing activity.

·        Oversee a welcoming, compliant enrolment process, including registration, contracts, permissions, child and family information, health and allergy details, and personalised settling-in plans.

·        Build positive parent relationships from first contact onward and encourage feedback, referrals and retention through clear communication and consistently good service.

·        Set and review realistic enrolment and occupancy targets with the Proprietor / Director, taking action promptly where places are not filling as planned.

5. Finance, administration and partnerships

·        Support accurate fee collection, banking, petty-cash control and budget monitoring in line with nursery procedures.

·        Manage stock, ordering and inventory responsibly, ensuring resources are suitable, safe and cost-effective.

·        Develop productive links with families, local early-years services, schools, community organisations and relevant professional agencies.

·        Chair staff meetings, maintain clear action notes and ensure agreed actions are completed.

Success measures during the first year

·        A safe, welcoming nursery opens with the required staffing, systems, resources and records in place.

·        All staff complete induction and demonstrate understanding of safeguarding, policies and their responsibilities.

·        Recruitment is timely, safer-recruitment checks are complete, and staffing is matched to children’s attendance and needs.

·        Families receive timely responses, high-quality visits and a smooth registration and settling-in experience.

·        Enrolment and occupancy grow in line with the agreed business plan while quality of care remains high.

Person profile

Essential

·        Relevant early-years leadership experience and a sound understanding of high-quality childcare practice.

·        Demonstrable ability to lead, recruit, motivate and develop a staff team.

·        Strong safeguarding knowledge and commitment to safer working practices.

·        Excellent communication, organisation, record-keeping and relationship-building skills.

·        Confidence in marketing a childcare service, meeting families and converting enquiries into successful enrolments.

·        Commitment to equality, inclusion, professionalism and continuous improvement.