Joint Nursery Manager

Job Title: Joint Nursery Manager

Department/Business Area: Cherubs Nurseries

Location: Dependant on operational requirements

Reports To: Area Manager and Head of Early Years Practice and Provision

We are seeking two experienced Nursery Managers to co-lead our flagship nursery, a 130+ place setting. In this collaborative role, you’ll guide our team in delivering exceptional care and creating an environment where children and staff alike can thrive. Drawing on your passion for early years education, extensive sector experience, and proven expertise, you will drive high performance, operational success, and long-term sustainability.

About the Role: As a Joint Nursery Manager, you’ll be responsible for inspiring, leading, and motivating your team, fostering a self-directed, high-performing environment that models best practices in early years education. Qualified to at least Level 3 in Childcare, you’ll balance your role between providing hands-on guidance and overseeing key operational and administrative duties. You’ll work closely with the Assistant Nursery Manager and Senior Management Team to ensure a safe, compliant, and sustainable nursery that meets the needs of children, families, staff, and regulatory bodies, including Ofsted.

This role would suit an experienced nursery manager or deputy/assistant manager looking to take that next step in their career.

Responsibilities:

Deliver: Deliver an amazing service, for both our children and families

• Complete all office-based duties, ensuring deadlines are met and targets achieved.
• Get to know the children, families and staff team at the nursery, creating a trusting rapport with all.
• Ensure all SEN/ASL needs are identified early and are met with respect, care and professionalism.
• Ensure that ratio and internal regulations are met at all times.
• Oversee the offsite after school club ensuring it remains compliant with Cherubs Nurseries operating policies and procedures.
• Responsible for leading and managing our 130+ place flagship nursery and offsite after school club.

Take Ownership: Take ownership in everything, always being honest and transparent

• Effectively deal with all parental complaints/concerns in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure the nursery remains within the allocated monthly budget.
• Ensure you follow the Cherubs Nurseries operating policies and procedures at all times.
• Ensure records are properly maintained and archived, following the Cherubs Nurseries GDPR policy.
• Keep up to date with all industry news, legislation and policy changes.
• Ensure the SEF remains up to date and relevant, sharing this with your team at every staff meeting.

Commit: Commit to continuous improvement, always strive to be and do the best

• Take an active role in marketing and selling the nursery, ensuring you are the main point of contact at the beginning and end of each day.
• Regularly update Marketing/PR Department of any changes to any print or media associated with your nursery, to ensure that information is always up to date and relevant.
• Monitor the nursery's planning, observation and assessment through Blossom.
• Audit children’s Blossom profiles ensuring they provide accurate, detailed and reflective accounts of the child’s current development needs and ensure staff are providing developmentally appropriate challenging next steps.
• Ensure the nursery receives excellent (outstanding) outcomes in internal audits and those of external authorities such as Ofsted.
• Attend any meetings, training, workshops (both in and outside of working hours) to ensure that you and the nursery team remain compliant and informed.

Embrace: Embrace creativity and innovation – these are what keep our service fresh unique and inspiring

• Embrace and implement the Cherubs Nurseries vision, values and brand promises.
• Embrace any other duties which may be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the post, as defined, subject to the provision that normally any changes of a permanent nature shall be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.

Build: Build a positive and progressive team environment where everyone is united and able to shine

• Manage the team and organise training/meetings to keep them up to date on business changes and best practice.
• Supervise and appraise the team, keeping them motivated whilst addressing any issues that may arise.
• Maintain open-communication with the Senior Management Team, giving them an honest and transparent overview of the nursery operation.
• Challenge any behaviours or practices that go against the Cherubs Nurseries vision, values, brand promises.
• Mentor your team and always demonstrate best practice.

Your Qualifications and Experience:

• Educated to GCSE Level (or equivalent).
• Level 3 in Childcare (or equivalent).
• Level 3 in Management.
• 5 years’ experience post Level 3 qualification.
• Experience of Safeguarding and/or SENDCo and/or Language Lead.
• Proven track-record of running an Ofsted “Good” or “Outstanding” nursery, as Assistant Nursery Manager or similar.
• Degree in Early Years or similar would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) would be advantageous but is not essential.