Happy, lively and enriching! These are the environments we want to build in our Wishford Day Nurseries. They are amazing, nurturing spaces where children thrive, and where parents expect and find outstanding provision and customer service. If you were in charge, how would you make that a reality? What are your top three essential ingredients for an outstanding Nursery? How would you balance practical, day-to-day nursery management, with the imagination and vision to create a gold-standard?
We are looking for an experienced, dynamic and ambitious Area Manager to oversee the management and development of our small but growing group of day nurseries in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. It’s an exciting time to join us, with the opportunity to shape the direction our day nurseries take. The position combines leading the day-to-day running and growth of our existing nurseries with overseeing the integration of new nurseries into the group. To our nursery staff, you will be a leader, motivator and developer, supporting a team of nursery managers and ensuring excellence in our provision.
The Role:
If you are the right person, you will be passionate about early childhood education and dedicated to creating nurturing environments. You’ll have significant recent experience leading nurseries through Ofsted inspections and be committed to fostering great relationships with children, parents, and staff. You may be an existing area manager, or a manager of a successful nursery and ready for a new challenge.
Hours, Salary & Benefits:
It’s a full-time, year-round, management role. You will spend most of your time in the day nurseries.
As this is a senior role in the day nurseries, a competitive package of salary and benefits is available, including:
* 5% employer pension contribution
* Staff discount of 50% in nurseries
* Electric vehicle scheme
* Cycle to work and shopping discounts
* Access to the group's counselling scheme
* 3 x days of paid CPD / training per year
* 25 days holiday per year
* Access to fully funded apprenticeships, up to L5
* Personal accident at work cover
The salary we are offering is dependent on experience but is expected to be in the range of £45,000-£50,000 per annum.
Main Responsibilities:
* Leadership and Support
* Quality and Compliance
* Business Performance
* Staff Development
* Communication and Reporting
Person Specification:
Education:
* A Level 3 qualification in Early Years education is essential.
* A degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent would be preferable but not essential.
Skills:
* A full UK driving licence is essential.
* Strong leadership and management skills, with high energy and aspiration for growth.
* Ability to oversee multiple nurseries, and adapt approach based on the individual settings.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for liaising with staff, parents and stakeholders.
* Understanding of financial management, budgeting and business strategy.
* Ability to conduct quality guarantee audits and observations.
* Strong IT skills, in Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
Compliance:
* A solid understanding of the Early Years framework and Ofsted standards.
* Understanding of local and national regulations governing Early Years education.
* An excellent understanding of safeguarding and child protection regulations.
Experience:
* Extensive experience in Early Years management or leadership roles such as a nursery manager.
* Extensive, recent experience of leading nurseries through successful Ofsted inspections.
* Ideally, experience working in a multi-site business.
To apply, please fill in The Group's Application Form, and email it to HR@wishford.co.uk.