Nursery Manager (Quality & Operations Focus)
A Senior Leadership Role with Safeguarding, Quality Improvement and Daily Nursery Oversight
At Little Peanuts, we believe early childhood is not simply preparation for school, it is a crucial stage of life in its own right. This is an opportunity for an experienced early years professional who thrives on maintaining exceptionally high standards, leading colleagues with warmth and clarity, and ensuring that every aspect of nursery life runs smoothly, safely and purposefully. Our children deserve an environment where they feel secure, listened to, inspired and deeply cared for. Our staff deserve a leader who will support, mentor and challenge them to deliver their very best every single day.
Little Peanuts Day Nursery & Forest School
Little Peanuts Day Nursery & Forest School is a unique, child-centred early years setting built around our core values of:
- Nurture
- Play
- Communication
Set within two acres of outdoor space with daily Forest School opportunities, our practice is shaped by:
- The Curiosity Approach™
- In The Moment Planning
- Attachment-led and nurturing care
- Communication-rich environments
- Deep partnerships with families
- A strong commitment to staff well-being and professional growth
We are proud to offer a truly special environment where children thrive through play, exploration and meaningful relationships, and where colleagues are supported to become reflective, skilled Early Years Educators.
This role has two equally important dimensions:
1. Strategic Leadership and Quality Improvement
You will work closely with the nursery director to drive continuous improvement, safeguard quality and support the professional growth of the whole nursery team. This includes:
- Acting as one of the nursery’s Designated Safeguarding Leads, investigating concerns and liaising with external agencies where appropriate
- Leading on Health & Safety and Fire Safety compliance
- Overseeing staff training reviews and professional development pathways
- Conducting staff supervisions, mentoring and coaching
- Supporting and monitoring children’s room transitions
- Leading quality improvement processes, including observations, room evaluations and action planning
- Overseeing family communication standards
- Delivering team teaching and modelling best practice
- Ensuring nursery policies and safeguarding procedures are fully embedded and consistently followed
2. Day-to-Day Nursery Operations
You will be highly visible in the daily life of the nursery, ensuring smooth operations, strong organisation and excellent standards across every room. This includes responsibility for ensuring:
- The Little Peanuts curriculum is consistently embedded in daily practice
- A warm, nurturing and emotionally secure environment is maintained for both children and colleagues
- Forest School sessions are delivered consistently and meaningfully
- Outstanding interactions are modelled and replicated by the team
- Staff effectively extend children’s play, learning and communication
- All child development paperwork is accurate, complete and up to date
- Staff are effectively deployed
- Staff cover is organised for operational demands
- Rooms remain safe and well maintained throughout the day
- Action is taken in the moment to address falling standards
- Daily routines run calmly, purposefully and in line with Little Peanuts expectations
This is not a desk-only management role. We are looking for a leader to step into rooms, coach staff, notice the details and solve problems quickly.
We are seeking someone who:
- Is an experienced Early Years leader (Deputy Manager, Room Leader, Third in Charge or Manager level)
- Holds a full and relevant Level 3 qualification or above in Early Years
- Has excellent knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted expectations
- Will be confident in supporting an Ofsted inspection
- Has experience as a DSL or is willing to undertake DSL training
- Understands how to build a truly nurturing culture for children and staff
- Has strong organisational and operational management skills
- Is confident holding staff accountable while remaining warm, approachable and supportive
- Can mentor others and raise standards through modelling, not simply instruction
- Understands curriculum implementation beyond paperwork
- Is passionate about outdoor learning and child-led play
- Has high expectations and notices the little things that make a big difference
- Can remain calm, solutions-focused and positive in a busy nursery environment
This role would suit someone who:
- Notices what needs doing before being asked
- Takes pride in exceptionally high standards
- Can coach colleagues in the moment
- Sees safeguarding and well-being as part of every interaction
- Balances paperwork with people leadership
- Believes that outstanding nursery practice is built through consistency, relationships and attention to detail
What We Offer
- A leadership role with a strong influence on nursery development
- A highly supportive senior management team
- Ongoing CPD and leadership development
- Regular supervision and reflective practice support
- A beautiful Curiosity Approach inspired environment
- Strong safeguarding and quality systems
- A warm, values-driven workplace culture
- Opportunities to shape staff practice and nursery improvement long term
Safeguarding Statement
Little Peanuts Day Nursery & Forest School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and suitable safeguarding vetting.
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