Senior Nursery Manager

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

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