Early Years Quality Improvement Manager

Company Overview

Puffins of Exeter Ltd is a dedicated childcare nursery committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young children. Our mission is to foster early childhood development through engaging educational experiences.

Job Description: Quality Improvement Manager (Early Years)

Location: All settings

Reports to: Senior Operations Manager

Salary: £31,512.00

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Applications Close: 31st October 2025

Short Listing: 5th November 2025

Interviews: November 2025

Start Date: ASAP following interview.

Role Purpose

The Quality Improvement Manager is responsible for driving high standards of education, care, and compliance across all nursery settings. The post holder will lead on continuous quality improvement, support leadership teams in each setting, and ensure that all nurseries are consistently meeting or exceeding regulatory standards, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct regular audits and quality reviews across all settings.

Support on all internal Quality Monitoring Inspections and external Ofsted inspections,

providing feedback and action plans.

Ensure all settings meet statutory requirements including safeguarding, SEND, and health and safety.

Support implementation of a consistent, high-quality curriculum across all nurseries.

Champion evidence-based approaches to early learning and child development.

Provide guidance on improving teaching and learning practice, including support for SEND and inclusive education.

Identify training needs across the group and develop CPD plans.

Deliver or coordinate training workshops and coaching sessions.

Support Nursery Managers in performance management and leadership development.

Use data to inform strategic planning and drive improvements.

Promote best practices for family partnerships across the nurseries.

Support initiatives to gather and act on parent feedback.

Ensure policies and procedures are implemented consistently.

Stay informed of legislative and policy changes affecting early years provision.

Line manager for the Nursery support practitioner, identifying where their support is needed and assessing the impact.

Completing supervisions and appraisals for Nursery Support Practitioner and those of nursery staff where required.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Level 5 or above qualification in Early Years Education (e.g. EYTS, EYP, or equivalent) or relevant Level 3 qualification with a willingness to work towards Level 5 and above.

Proven leadership experience within the early years sector.

In-depth knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted EIF, and safeguarding frameworks.

Strong track record of improving quality and outcomes in early years.

Skills & Competencies

Excellent communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.

Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

Confidence in delivering training and leading meetings.

Ability to travel between multiple settings.

Desirable

Experience with curriculum development or educational leadership.

Knowledge of SEND Code of Practice and inclusion frameworks.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and mileage/travel allowance.
• Ongoing CPD and leadership development opportunities.
• Part of a forward-thinking, values-driven early years organisation
• Free DBS.
• Wellbeing: We provide an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which allows staff to get free confidential advice on many topics including relationships, work issues, bereavement, family issues, stress, financial problems. This service is also available to their families.
• Pay advances when times are hard.
• Loans for travel costs.
• Flexible working patterns.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount on gym membership
• Staff suggestion scheme with financial rewards
• Holiday Entitlement. Currently we offer the statutory 28 days for most roles, rising to 33 days for more senior staff, plus:
• Extra day holiday after 4 years' service.
• Birthday day off. After 1 year of service each employee is entitled to an extra day of annual leave to use on or around their birthday.
• Self Care day – every employee is entitled to an extra day off each year to look after their wellbeing.
• Pension Scheme.
• Paid bereavement leave.
• Discount Scheme. All employees can take advantage of discounts offered through PIB Client Portal which provides discounts on shopping, travel, food, clothing and much more.
• Childcare Discount 50%. Currently staff can receive a discount of 50% for the non-funded hours that their child attends a Puffins Nursery.
• Long service awards from 3 years service.
• Team building events.
• Social Gatherings.

Puffins are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and employing a workforce that reflects the cultural diversity of our society. We expect all staff to share these commitments.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to £31,512.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Free flu jabs
• Health & wellbeing programme

Licence/Certification:

• Level 3 Childcare Qualification (required)
• Level 5 or above in Early Years Education / EYTS, EYP (preferred)

Work Location: In person