Nursery Manager

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Nursery Manager with a minimum of 5 years on the job experience. The ideal candidate should possess confidence with a proven skills set and dedication to improving and moving the nursery forward with a positive attitude. Sound knowledge of handling paperwork accurately is a must with a good understanding of the job role as a Nursery Manager. We are looking for a hardworking and committed individual who is capable of maintaining the standards set and to deliver excellent care and learning opportunities to all the children in our care. The candidate should be fully qualified up to Level 3 in Childcare and with a minimum of 5 years previous experience in the capacity of a Nursery Manager to run our 50 place nursery in Chingford. Only candidates who are currently working as Nursery Managers should apply for this position. No Deputy Managers should apply for this job role.

The Nursery Manager will be responsible for the daily running and administration of the Nursery, working alongside a great staff team, whilst adhering to the nursery policies and procedures at all times. Ensuring compliance with the Childcare Act 2004, all Health and Safety legislation, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and requirements as laid down by by OFSTED.

• Assist the company in securing and sustaining OFSTED registration, providing consistent quality of service, appropriately preparing for OFSTED inspections, and action any recommendations that may result from an inspection.
• Action and monitor all child protection and health and safety issues to ensure that any remedial action is taken immediately and advice is sought from LBWF Early Years Team or Little Miracle's Company Director.
• Be confident in the Safeguarding protocols of Early Years and referrals to LADO and MASH.
• Offer all children equal opportunities with regard to their religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender, disability, cultural or when English is an additional language.
• Support the requirements of children with special needs via specialist programs so that the company's admission policy may be as inclusive as possible. Identify an individual to be trained to support this.
• Develop and maintain the nursery environment and equipment to ensure that it provides a high quality learning space which offers children a wide range of experiences and supports their decision making skills.
• Oversee and operate a programme of suitable learning and play activities in line with EYFS, to foster the growth, happiness and development of every individual child.
• Support staff in the development and maintenance of appropriate planning, observation and assessment procedures to ensure a consistent service and develop, with staff, a recording system for individual children which can be shared with parents and other professionals and agencies enabling improvements to working methods and service.
• Liaise with outside agencies, including Family Services, health providers, local primary schools and other children centres.
• In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post holder may have access to confidential information relating to staff, children, parents and customers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice of the business organization. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Consequently, ensure that appropriate records and administration systems, including the children's families, staffing, registers, health and safety, sickness records etc., are maintained to ensure confidentiality of information.
• Recruit and select nursery staff in accordance with Little Miracle's policy, making sure that those appointed are qualified/have the skills required to work in the nursery; references and DBS clearances are obtained and contracts issued.
• Conduct regular inductions with all newly appointed staff, including changes in position, and set action plans for improvement with members of the team who may be failing.
• Supervise and provide advice, guidance and training to students, apprentices and others on work placements or work experience in order that they receive the appropriate support.
• Give guidance and establish relationships with colleges and schools as necessary in order that their activities are coordinated.
• Ensure that all staff receives relevant training and guidance to allow them to carry out their jobs in accordance with the existing processes and through annual performance reviews, ensure a training needs analysis is carried out to align internal skills with the aims and future objectives of the business.
• Deal with all disciplinary and grievance matters within the nursery, seeking advice and support from the company's Director.
• Ensure that Health & Safety policies are fully implemented within the nursery with support from LBWF Early Years Health and Safety Consultant. In particular ensure the required standards of cleanliness and hygiene are achieved, risk assessments are in place, the environments and equipment are appropriately maintained and that best practice is communicated and promoted throughout the nursery.
• Understand SEN practice within a setting.
• Work with the cook to develop and promote a nutritional menu
• Effectively and efficiently handle parental complaints, whether childcare or business in nature, seeking advice from the LBWF Early Years Team and Bright Futures' Directors.
• Working in partnership with parents, implement and manage an effective parent liaison programme, ensuring regular communication and interaction with parents including, producing a monthly newsletter for all nursery parents, monitoring the settling in process of all new children/room movers, promoting and enabling a parent's close involvement in their child's development.
• Develop and maintain an ethos of reflective practice across the nursery and use information to develop and support action plans designed to address areas identified for development across the nursery and for individuals.
• Oversee the purchase and maintenance of the apparatus etc. to ensure the nursery is suitably equipped within the allocated budget and maintain up to date records of resources and accurate financial records to ensure that Little Miracle's financial procedures are adhered to and income and expenditure is kept within budget.
• Ensure that staff meetings are taking place on a regular, on-going basis.
• Appropriately manage staff absence including staff sickness, holidays and maternity leave to ensure sufficient staff are available at all times. In particular, build an adequate team of bank personnel to cover both planned and unplanned absence.
• Frequently monitor the labour costs and adjust the number of staffing hours employed, with the support of the Director, to ensure staffing levels meet booking requirements.
• On a daily basis deploy staff to meet EYFS staffing requirements (i.e. age appropriate staff: child ratios and qualified: un-qualified ratio) and to ensure continuity of care for children.
• Review and implement management and marketing strategies to maximise nursery occupancy and meet occupancy targets. In particular, actively seek out opportunities to promote the nursery; hold promotional events at the nursery; efficiently and effectively implement the company's enquiry system; actively manage nursery bookings being aware of and planning for annual booking trends; implement customer retention policies and procedures.
• Implement and monitor the company's financial policies and procedures, in particular ensure the nursery is managed within the budget set; accurate payroll, banking, petty cash fundraising etc. records are kept; invoices are issued and fees collected appropriately.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Childcare
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Childcare: 5 years (preferred)
• Management: 5 years (required)
• Nursery Manager: 5 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• NVQ Level 3 in Childcare (required)

Work Location: In person