Development Nursery Manager

Department: Education

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Shoreditch, London

Reporting To: Claire Hill Burton

Compensation: £45,926 - £65,354 / year

Description

• Provide targeted leadership and support to nurseries on a development journey, working closely with Nursery Manager and senior teams to strengthen leadership, raise standards, and embed best practice.
• Step in as ‘Manager in Charge’ when required to maintain operational stability, ensure compliance, and uphold exceptionally high standards across all areas.
• Drive educational excellence by embedding the N Pedagogy and Curriculum, supporting teams to deliver outstanding teaching and learning consistently.
• Lead and support self-evaluation and action planning, ensuring follow-up on priorities identified through Education Advisor guidance, audits, and inspections.
• Promote a strong ‘Safety First’ culture, ensuring daily health and safety checks, risk assessments, and compliance actions are completed promptly and effectively.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead when required, ensuring safeguarding and child protection practices are robust, well-understood, and consistently applied.
• Coach, mentor, and develop nursery teams, building confidence, professional pride, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, retention, and professional development to ensure teams are skilled, motivated, and capable of delivering excellence.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents and the wider community, fostering trust, engagement, and partnership in line with N Family Club values.
• Participate in regular development meetings and calls to review nursery performance, track progress, and support action planning.
• Work collaboratively with the Development Team to implement focused improvement initiatives and ensure sustainable impact.
• Provide flexible support across multiple nurseries where required, maintaining consistent leadership, guidance, and standards.
• Travel across the nursery network as needed, including flexibility for varying work patterns and occasional overnight stays.

• Level 3 or above Early Years qualification (full & relevant)
• Paediatric First Aid certification (12 hours) and a commitment to maintain it
• Proven experience as a Nursery Manager or senior leader in a high-performing, Good, or Outstanding nursery, demonstrating the ability to achieve and maintain exceptional standards.
• Experience leading nurseries requiring targeted improvement or supporting significant development initiatives, with a track record of driving sustainable change.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve ambitious goals in complex or evolving environments.
• Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and developing teams to deliver consistently high-quality education and care.
• A rigorous, structured, and highly organised approach to managing operations, supporting improvement, and embedding best practice.
• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to support and drive change effectively across teams and nurseries.
• In-depth knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted requirements, local authority regulations, and inspection processes across the UK, with the ability to ensure full compliance at all times.
• Experienced in using ICT systems and performance data to inform decisions, track progress, and monitor improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting multiple nursery settings or providing development input across sites is desirable.

• Competitive salary – £45,926 - £65,354, based on experience and dedication (plus £3k car allowance)
• Performance bonus of up to 25% of base salary, plus £1,000 for Ofsted ‘Outstanding’
• Flexible working – Choose 4-5 days a week for work-life balance
• Up to 35 days holiday - including a personal ‘Me’ day and Christmas closure
• £100 annual learning fund, plus access to N Academy (level 3, Early Years degrees, Forest School & more)
• £100 clothing allowance for style freedom!
• Enhanced family leave for parents, carers, and more
• 40% childcare discount, plus 6 emergency days annually
  
  

• 5-year loyalty bonus - around-the-world trip + 2 bonus weeks off
• 10-year loyalty bonus - ‘Out of this world’ experience + 2 extra weeks off
• Referral bonus – earn up to £1,000 per successful hire
• Amazing discounts – save on groceries, shopping, fitness and more
• Travel support – season ticket loans and cycle-to-work scheme
• Socials & wellbeing – annual parties, team events, gym discounts, and online fitness
  
  

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