£40,000 - £50,000 + Bonus + Hybrid + Excellent Benefits
Are you an experienced Early Years professional with a passion for people, quality, and operational excellence? This is a rare opportunity to join a progressive, values-led nursery group at a pivotal time of growth.
We're working with a thriving, purpose-driven childcare provider, founded on a belief in nature, nutrition, and nurture. The business has grown rapidly, opening its second UK site in late 2024, and now seeks an experienced Area Manager to lead and support its expanding team of Nursery Managers and Deputies.
Reporting directly to the Owner/Managing Director, you'll have the autonomy to shape operational standards, drive performance across multiple sites, and play a key role in the launch of a brand-new nursery.
As Area Manager, you'll lead by example, combining strategic oversight with hands-on involvement to ensure every nursery maintains outstanding levels of care, compliance, and culture. You'll guide managers, oversee recruitment and retention and support continuous improvement across all sites.
Key Responsibilities
Leading, coaching and mentoring Nursery Managers and Deputies to deliver excellence across multiple settings
Overseeing recruitment, retention and professional development in partnership with the EYFS Manager
Ensuring full compliance with Ofsted, EYFS and safeguarding standards
Producing reports and forecasts on staffing, occupancy, and operational KPIs
Acting as escalation point for parent or staff concerns
Leading on the opening of a new nursery site - from planning and staffing through to operational readiness
Championing a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
Skills & Experience
Proven experience managing large or multi-site Early Years settings
Excellent working knowledge of EYFS, Ofsted and safeguarding standards
Minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification (Level 5+ desirable)
Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills
A calm, diplomatic and resilient leadership style
Experience opening a new nursery or site (highly desirable but not essential)
The ability to influence and inspire without ego - building trust and accountability across teams
The Offer
Salary from £40,000 - £50,000, depending on experience
Performance-based bonus linked to recruitment, retention and operational KPIs
Hybrid flexibility. Primarily site-based with up to 1 day per week working from home
Supportive owner and leadership team with clear vision and purpose
Genuine opportunity to shape future growth and open new sites
Occasional travel to Lithuania (1-3 times per year) to share best practice
You'll be a confident leader with strong Early Years experience and a genuine enthusiasm for developing people and systems. You may already be managing multiple settings, or running a large, complex single site with ambitions to step up.
This is an exciting, long-term opportunity for an ambitious Early Years leader who enjoys scaling operations, developing people and making a lasting impact. Apply now!
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