Acting Nursery Manager, Pinner

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE: Level 3, Full and Relevant, UK Childcare/Early Years Qualification.

Purple Dove Recruitment are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Nursery Manager to join an independent Montessori in Pinner/Eastcote. It will be a good opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial skills and build, lead, mentor and inspire a team of up to 20 practitioners. Your innovative ideas and initiatives will be highly valued and will be an integral part of your role.

The successful candidate will initially join us as Acting Nursery Manager on a six-month probationary period. During this time, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the nursery, lead the team, maintain high standards of childcare and compliance, develop relationships with parents and play an important role in increasing nursery occupancy.

Salary:

• paying a starting salary of £36,000 per annum with the potential of up to £40,000 plus BONUS (depending on occupancy targets, Ofsted rating as well as you preformance)

Benefits:

• 28 days paid holidays including 5 days at Easter, 5 days at Christmas, bank holidays and the remaining to take in your own time.
• Specifically devised training programme which is over and above Ofsted training requirements.
• Company Pension
• Additional holiday on your birthday.
• One additional holiday for every full year of service.
• Extra perks and benefits such as Performance related bonus + Ofsted Outstanding Bonus
• Additional bonus based on Occupancy targets of the setting.
• Emphasis on teamwork
• Employee of the month rewards
• Costco annual membership
• 50% staff childcare discount
• On site parking
• Complimentary team building activities and events

The Role:

• Managing the day-to-day operation of the nursery.
• Leading, motivating and supporting the nursery team.
• Managing staff rotas, holidays, absences and daily staffing requirements.
• Ensuring appropriate staffing levels and statutory ratios are maintained.
• Providing ratio cover and working directly with children when required.
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding, childcare and early years education.
• Ensuring compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, safeguarding, health and safety and other relevant requirements.
• Building strong and positive relationships with parents and carers.
• Managing parent enquiries, feedback and concerns professionally.
• Conducting nursery tours and meeting prospective families.
• Following up enquiries and converting prospective families into registrations.
• Taking an active role in increasing occupancy and nursery numbers.
• Identifying opportunities to attract new families and improve the nursery's local profile.
• Supporting recruitment, induction, supervision and development of staff.
• Managing resources responsibly and working within agreed budgets.
• Identifying practical and cost-effective ways to improve nursery operations.
• Working closely with the owners/directors on operational and business matters.
• Ensuring the nursery is organised, welcoming and professionally presented.
• Taking ownership of day-to-day issues and resolving them effectively.
• As Nursery Manager you are fully accountable for the day to day running and performance of the nursery.
• You are accountable for the delivery of the nursery’s financial operating plan and EBITDA contribution.
• Work with the Director, Finance and Marketing teams to identify and implement commercial plans and strategies to deliver FTE growth within the nursery.
• Market and sell the nursery and be the main point of contact at the beginning or end of each day.

During the first six months, you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to:

• Lead and manage the nursery team effectively.
• Maintain excellent standards of childcare, safeguarding and EYFS practice.
• Ensure staffing and ratios are consistently well managed.
• Build excellent relationships with parents.
• Increase nursery enquiries, registrations and occupancy.
• Improve the conversion of enquiries into confirmed places.
• Manage nursery resources carefully and work within budget.
• Identify opportunities to improve the nursery's performance.
• Take ownership and make confident day-to-day management decisions.

Essential qualities and qualifications:

• Experienced in an early years leadership or management role.
• Qualified to at least Level 3 in Early Years or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable about EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements.
• Confident managing and motivating a team.
• Professional and confident when dealing with parents.
• Commercially aware and motivated by increasing occupancy.
• Organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
• Comfortable working within agreed budgets.
• Hands-on and willing to work directly with children when required.
• Flexible and able to provide ratio cover when necessary.
• Ambitious and keen to progress into a permanent Nursery Manager position.

Interviewing now!

Please apply by forwarding your CV to amy@purpledove.co.uk