Senior Nursery Manager
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 07 Mai 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £38,000.00 i £42,500.00 bob blwyddyn |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 05 Mehefin 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | Hampshire, PO6 3LY |
| Cwmni: | Tops Day Nurseries |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | ORG6165-RW1567215PorSNM |
Crynodeb
Senior Nursery Manager
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Reporting to: Regional Director
Job type: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: £38,000 to £42,500 per annum
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership role within a large, established nursery where you will take full ownership of standards, team performance, and the overall direction of the setting.
You will lead a sizeable team and a high-capacity nursery, with the autonomy to make decisions and the support of an experienced operations structure behind you.
We are an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). That means the business is owned for the benefit of the people who work within it. Profit is reinvested into our nurseries, our teams, and the quality of what we deliver. For you, this means you are not working to drive short-term returns, but to build something sustainable, high quality, and consistent.
Why Join Us
We know what it takes to run large, complex nurseries and have built the structure to support you to do it well:
Employee-owned business focused on long-term quality and sustainability
Genuine autonomy to lead your setting with trust and accountability
Strong regional leadership and central support (HR, finance, recruitment, quality)
A business that prioritises safeguarding and standards, not just occupancy
Opportunity to lead improvement and shape team performance
Progression into regional leadership and wider projects
Investment in professional development and higher qualifications
Wellbeing support and a realistic approach to flexibility
The Role
You will lead the full nursery operation, ensuring high standards across care, education, safeguarding, and team performance in line with EYFS and Ofsted expectations.
You will:
Lead, coach, and develop a large team, including future leaders
Set and maintain clear operational and practice standards
Drive improvements in quality, occupancy, and performance
Oversee budgets, staffing, and operational efficiency
Lead safeguarding practice and ensure full compliance
Build strong relationships with parents and partners
Prepare for and lead inspections confidently
Work closely with regional and central teams
What Success Looks Like
A well-led nursery with clear expectations and consistent delivery
A confident leadership team taking ownership
High-quality practice embedded across all rooms
Strong safeguarding culture understood at every level
Stable, accountable team performance
Positive inspection outcomes with clear evidence of impact
About You
You are an experienced nursery leader who has managed large, complex settings and understands the demands that come with them.
You are confident, consistent, and able to balance supportive leadership with clear accountability.
You will have:
Experience managing a large nursery (ideally 100+ places)
Strong knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted requirements
Experience improving or raising standards in a setting
Strong safeguarding knowledge & leadership experience
Ability to coach and develop senior staff
Confidence managing performance and difficult conversations
Level 5 Early Years qualification (or working towards)
You are committed, visible in your leadership, and understand the importance of consistency and presence in role.
Our Commitment to You
As an employee-owned business, we take responsibility for creating the right environment for you to succeed.
We will:
Be clear on expectations and consistent across the business
Provide the structure and support needed to run your setting effectively
Listen and respond to feedback from our leaders
Back your decisions when aligned with standards and values
Invest in your development and progression
Key Responsibilities:
Lead nursery operations, ensuring compliance, safety, and quality
Manage and develop your team through coaching and supervision
Maintain strong safeguarding systems and reporting
Drive occupancy and parent engagement through quality provision
Manage financial performance and staffing efficiency
Work in partnership with regional and central teams
Support internal and external inspections and action planning
Contribute to wider business initiatives and leadership support
Safeguarding
This role involves regulated activity with children. All candidates must:
Hold or obtain an enhanced DBS on the Update Service (cost may apply)
Be eligible to work in regulated roles (not on the barred list)
Complete full background and reference checks
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to an inclusive workplace.
Apply Now
Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries
#INDHP
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Reporting to: Regional Director
Job type: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: £38,000 to £42,500 per annum
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership role within a large, established nursery where you will take full ownership of standards, team performance, and the overall direction of the setting.
You will lead a sizeable team and a high-capacity nursery, with the autonomy to make decisions and the support of an experienced operations structure behind you.
We are an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). That means the business is owned for the benefit of the people who work within it. Profit is reinvested into our nurseries, our teams, and the quality of what we deliver. For you, this means you are not working to drive short-term returns, but to build something sustainable, high quality, and consistent.
Why Join Us
We know what it takes to run large, complex nurseries and have built the structure to support you to do it well:
Employee-owned business focused on long-term quality and sustainability
Genuine autonomy to lead your setting with trust and accountability
Strong regional leadership and central support (HR, finance, recruitment, quality)
A business that prioritises safeguarding and standards, not just occupancy
Opportunity to lead improvement and shape team performance
Progression into regional leadership and wider projects
Investment in professional development and higher qualifications
Wellbeing support and a realistic approach to flexibility
The Role
You will lead the full nursery operation, ensuring high standards across care, education, safeguarding, and team performance in line with EYFS and Ofsted expectations.
You will:
Lead, coach, and develop a large team, including future leaders
Set and maintain clear operational and practice standards
Drive improvements in quality, occupancy, and performance
Oversee budgets, staffing, and operational efficiency
Lead safeguarding practice and ensure full compliance
Build strong relationships with parents and partners
Prepare for and lead inspections confidently
Work closely with regional and central teams
What Success Looks Like
A well-led nursery with clear expectations and consistent delivery
A confident leadership team taking ownership
High-quality practice embedded across all rooms
Strong safeguarding culture understood at every level
Stable, accountable team performance
Positive inspection outcomes with clear evidence of impact
About You
You are an experienced nursery leader who has managed large, complex settings and understands the demands that come with them.
You are confident, consistent, and able to balance supportive leadership with clear accountability.
You will have:
Experience managing a large nursery (ideally 100+ places)
Strong knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted requirements
Experience improving or raising standards in a setting
Strong safeguarding knowledge & leadership experience
Ability to coach and develop senior staff
Confidence managing performance and difficult conversations
Level 5 Early Years qualification (or working towards)
You are committed, visible in your leadership, and understand the importance of consistency and presence in role.
Our Commitment to You
As an employee-owned business, we take responsibility for creating the right environment for you to succeed.
We will:
Be clear on expectations and consistent across the business
Provide the structure and support needed to run your setting effectively
Listen and respond to feedback from our leaders
Back your decisions when aligned with standards and values
Invest in your development and progression
Key Responsibilities:
Lead nursery operations, ensuring compliance, safety, and quality
Manage and develop your team through coaching and supervision
Maintain strong safeguarding systems and reporting
Drive occupancy and parent engagement through quality provision
Manage financial performance and staffing efficiency
Work in partnership with regional and central teams
Support internal and external inspections and action planning
Contribute to wider business initiatives and leadership support
Safeguarding
This role involves regulated activity with children. All candidates must:
Hold or obtain an enhanced DBS on the Update Service (cost may apply)
Be eligible to work in regulated roles (not on the barred list)
Complete full background and reference checks
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to an inclusive workplace.
Apply Now
Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries
#INDHP