Nursery Manager

To lead, manage, and develop the maintained school's nursery setting. You ensure high-quality early years education in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. You work under the strategic direction of the Deputy Headteacher (DHT) for Teaching & Learning (T&L). You collaborate closely with Reception Team Leaders to ensure seamless curriculum progression and excellent transition into school life.

Job title: Nursery Manager

Responsible to: Deputy Headteacher - Teaching and Learning

Qualification: Level 5 Early Years Qualification

Condition: Bucks Pay Range 5 (£34,319 - £36.975) FTE, 41 weeks per year, 37 hours per week

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Direction & Quality of Teaching

• Line Management: Report directly to the Deputy Headteacher for Teaching & Learning.
• Curriculum Alignment: Design an ambitious EYFS curriculum that directly connects to the school's overall T&L framework.
• Reception Collaboration: Work side-by-side with Reception Team Leaders to align tracking, learning goals, and teaching strategies.
• Transition Excellence: Create and execute a robust transition plan to ensure children move seamlessly from Nursery into Reception.
• Data & Assessment: Monitor student progress, identify learning gaps, and present data reports regularly to the DHT.

Operations & Staff Management

• Team Leadership: Lead, inspire, and manage daily operations for nursery nurses, assistants, and support staff.
• Performance Management: Assist the DHT in conducting performance reviews and identifying staff development (CPD) needs.
• Rosters & Ratios: Maintain accurate staff deployment to meet statutory adult-to-child ratio requirements.
• Maintained Compliance: Operate within local authority funding models, admissions policies, and school budget limits.

Safeguarding, Health & Safety

• Safeguarding Lead: Act as a central figure for safeguarding within the early years phase.
• Compliance: Maintain flawless health, safety, and hygiene standards in line with school policies.
• Risk Assessments: Conduct and update risk assessments for all nursery spaces and trips.
• Record Keeping: Keep highly accurate, confidential student records that strictly comply with GDPR.

Partnership & Collaboration

• Parent Engagement: Maintain open, informative communication with parents to support home-school learning.
• Specialist Liaison: Coordinate with the school SENCO and external agencies to support children with SEND.
• Whole-School Life: Integrate the nursery into wider school events, assemblies, and termly initiatives.