Nursery Manager

Are you a passionate and experienced early years professional ready to take the next step in your career? We are looking for a warm, enthusiastic and dedicated Nursery Manager to lead our vibrant day nursery and inspire a team committed to giving children the best start in life.

Epsom Downs Day Nursery provides nurturing and individualised childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years. We were proud to be deemed as outstanding by Ofsted in June 2022; "The provision is outstanding. Leaders and staff provide an awe-inspiring, creative learning environment. Children enthusiastically investigate and experiment with a variety of thoughtfully planned activities and resources. The impressive outside area offers an abundance of equipment that includes working traffic lights, a beach and construction site".

The Day Nursery promotes the importance of outdoor play by having free flow to the outdoor areas all day long. We share excellent outdoor facilities with the school including a small farm, allotments, sports field, playground and dedicated forest school areas. We also have a secure outdoor play area and a large back garden.

The role

As Nursery Manager, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day running of the nursery, ensuring it operates smoothly, safely and in line with all regulatory requirements. You'll lead and support a team of practitioners, build strong relationships with families, and maintain a positive, inclusive culture.

At Epsom Downs Day Nursery, we are looking to strengthen the connection between our day nursery and the school's Early Years provision. Although these settings operate separately, they share the same vibrant outdoor learning environment and the same commitment to providing high-quality early education and care.

Our vision is for the Day Nursery Manager to work closely with the school's Early Years Leaders to bring greater unity and collaboration across both settings. Together, they will develop a cohesive, highly experienced Early Years team that shares expertise, aligns practice, and builds on the strengths of both provisions.

Guided by the values and ethos of Epsom Downs Community School, the successful candidate will help ensure that all children benefit from a consistent, nurturing and inspiring early years experience, where curiosity is encouraged and every child can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the nursery's operations, ensuring compliance with EYFS and Ofsted standards
• Lead, motivate and develop the staff team
• Manage budgets, staffing and resources effectively
• Build strong partnerships with parents and carers
• Promote a safe, stimulating and caring environment for children
• Work cohesively with the school Early Years Leader

What We're Looking For:

• Relevant qualification in Early Years Care and Education (minimum Level 3; Level 4 desirable).
• Proven experience in a leadership role within a nursery setting
• Excellent knowledge of EYFS and safeguarding practices
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• A genuine passion for early years education

What We Offer:

• A supportive and friendly working environment
• Opportunities for professional development and training within the nursery and the wider Greensand Multi Academy Trust
• An excellent staff assistance scheme with access to a range of wellbeing and health initiatives, including complimentary counselling, physiotherapy and a 24-hour online GP service
• Membership of a private pension scheme

This is a permanent role for 36 hours per week, 52.14 weeks per annum. The pay scale for this role is 29-33 on the Greensand Support Pay Scale, £41,585-45,135 FTE. While the official start date for this position is 1 January 2026, a handover period during December would be greatly appreciated to support a smooth transition.

Further information about the school can be found on our website. Candidates are warmly invited to contact our Headteacher, Anya Salisbury for an informal chat about the role or to arrange a visit to see us in action.

Please apply via My New Term:

Applications will be considered upon receipt, and we reserve the right to appoint someone sooner than this if we identify a suitable candidate. You are therefore encouraged to apply for the role as soon as possible.

Epsom Downs Day Nursery is committed to being an equal opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills. Applications are invited from all members of the community. We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of age; race; sex; disability; sexual orientation; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; religion, faith or belief (Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics). The principles of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity also apply to the way in which we treat our visitors and volunteers.

Epsom Downs Day Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful candidate will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and an overseas criminal records check if you have lived or worked outside the UK within the last 10 years. In accordance with KCSIE, online checks will be completed for all shortlisted candidates.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £41,585.00-£45,135.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person