Job Description
Nursery Manager
Location: Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Salary: Very competitive, dependent on experience.
Hours: 40 hours per week.
Flying Start Nurseries is seeking an exceptional, experienced Nursery Manager to join the team and lead one of our established early years settings.
This is a senior leadership role for a confident professional who combines strong operational management with a genuine passion for high-quality early childhood education.
We are looking for someone who runs a calm, highly organised setting, maintains outstanding standards, and leads by example.
The Role
You will have joint operational responsibility for the nursery, including :
* Day-to-day management of the setting
* Leading, motivating and managing staff performance
* Ensuring outstanding safeguarding, welfare and health & safety practice
* Maintaining full compliance with the EYFS and Ofsted requirements
* Driving high-quality teaching, learning and inclusive practice
* Managing occupancy, staffing ratios and rotas
* Monitoring quality through regular observations, audits and action plans
* Building strong relationships with parents and external professionals
* Overseeing paperwork, policies, and systems with accuracy and consistency
The Person We’re Looking For
* A qualified Early Years professional (Level 3 minimum; Level 5+ desirable)
* Experienced as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager
* Highly organised, methodical and reliable
* Calm, level-headed and solutions-focused under pressure
* Confident in leading teams and addressing underperformance
* Excellent at following and enforcing policy and procedure
* Strong in written and verbal communication
* Proactive, hands-on and accountable
Essential Requirements
* Minimum 2 years’ experience in a leadership role within an early years setting
* Sound knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, and Ofsted frameworks
* Ability to pass enhanced DBS and relevant checks
* Strong IT skills (record keeping, email, basic systems)
* Full-time availability
Desirable
* Experience achieving or maintaining Good/Outstanding Ofsted outcomes
* Leadership or management qualification
* Experience with audits, action planning and quality improvement cycles
What We Offer
* Competitive salary
* Private dental cover
* Company pension scheme
* Subsidised meals
* Subsidised childcare
* Supportive senior leadership team
* Well-resourced setting
* Clear expectations and systems
* Long-term career progression within a growing organisation
How to Apply
Please email elsa@flying-start-nurseries.co.uk with your CV and a short covering letter outlining your leadership experience and why you believe you would excel as a Nursery Manager.