Early Years Centre Director

Job Description Join us and enjoy a £1,000* Welcome Bonus with this role (T&Cs apply) We’re more than just a nursery group. We’re the UK’s most innovative early-years education provider, proudly certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked the 30th Best Workplace in the UK. At N Family Club, we dreamed of reimagining early years education. Becoming a place that fosters creativity, embraces a curriculum-led approach, and prepares children for the modern world. We’re proudly making our dream a reality – and we want you to be a part of it As a Nursery Manager, you’ll lead a passionate team to create a safe, inspiring, and nurturing environment for children and families. You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day running of the nursery, championing the N Curriculum, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead with heart and vision, while growing your career with our support and development pathways. What you’ll be doing… Leading and managing all aspects of nursery operations, including team deployment/ rotas, budgets, and compliance Driving the delivery of our play-based N Curriculum, ensuring every child thrives Developing and inspiring your team through coaching, training, and performance management Building strong partnerships with families and the local community Ensuring the highest standards of health, safety, safeguarding, and Ofsted requirements are met Overseeing smooth daily routines and an engaging, safe learning environment Managing recruitment, inductions, and team retention Monitoring quality and implementing continuous improvement plans Reporting to senior leadership and contributing to wider organisational goals Our Nursery Managers should have… Proven leadership experience within early years education, ideally in a managerial role (2 years) Level 3 or above Early Years qualification (full & relevant) Paediatric First Aid certification (12 hours) and a commitment to maintain it Up-to-date safeguarding knowledge (or willingness to refresh) Strong organisational and communication skills A genuine passion for early years education and team development Ability to lead by example with positivity, empathy, and professionalism Confidence in managing budgets, team, and operational procedures The N Advantage Competitive salary – £44,720 - £63,440, based on experience and dedication 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 And that’s not all 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 Why N Forest Hill? Join our vibrant team at this 92-place nursery in Forest Hill, South East London. Getting here is a breeze We’re just a short walk from Forest Hill station with direct Overground and National Rail links, plus excellent local bus routes. Making an impact… At N Family Club, we do things differently. We support and celebrate individuality, champion diversity, and give every team member a voice. Our culture is rooted in respect, collaboration and a shared passion for early years education. We invest heavily in your growth – from career progression and in-house training to mentorship and personal development. With innovative environments, top-tier benefits, and a focus on wellbeing, we’re building a workplace where educators thrive, and children soar. Join N Family Club today and help us reshape early education for the better. What's next? If you think you got what it takes, click apply and fill in our super quick (1 min) application form If you want to read more about N, our benefits and work culture, visit our Careers website or our Glassdoor Page. About N Family Club We began with a dream. To be the highest quality, and most loved, early years education group in the UK. We imagined a future of early years education that was different. Where a focused, curriculum-led approach would inspire big dreamers and big career movers. Where children are prepared for this ever-changing, modern world and where people come to life when they come to work Our Commitment To Safeguarding At N, we have a commitment to safeguarding our children and thoughtfully prioritise the safety and well-being of everyone in our nurseries. As part of our commitment to ensuring a secure environment, we diligently adhere to the guidance provided by regulatory bodies. Our dedication to safer recruitment practices is underscored by our compliance with key legislation designed to protect vulnerable individuals. By embracing these laws and legislation (DBS Code of Practice;DBS Referral Guidance; Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and Regulated Activity), we uphold the highest standards of safety and accountability, fostering a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive. Click here for more information on our commitments. In line with Safer Recruitment and Keeping Everyone Safe, N Family Club will carry out online searches for all shortlisted candidates including a Google and Social Media search. Any information found from the online searches, may be discussed at the interview stage.