Head of Nursery School

Head of Nursery School Salary: £37,500 – £45,000 per annum (dependent on qualifications and experience) Hours: Full time, 42 hours per week Days: Monday to Friday Nursery opening hours: 7:30am – 6:30pm Overview My client is seeking an experienced and values-led Head of Nursery School to provide strong strategic and operational leadership within a well-established early years setting. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for educational quality, compliance, team management and the overall performance of the nursery. The successful candidate will ensure that children receive rich, stimulating learning experiences in a warm, nurturing environment, while leading and developing a high-performing staff team. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Operations Lead the day-to-day management of the nursery, ensuring high standards of care and education Oversee the planning and delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Monitor children’s progress and analyse data to drive continuous improvement Maintain compliance with Ofsted, safeguarding, health & safety and statutory requirements Act as the senior point of contact for inspections and external agencies Ensure policies, procedures and risk assessments are reviewed and kept up to date Quality & Compliance Lead Ofsted inspections and be accountable for inspection outcomes Maintain accurate records for children and staff, including training and suitability checks Ensure staff ratios and conditions of registration are met at all times Manage safeguarding concerns, complaints, incidents and accidents appropriately Team Management Recruit, induct, develop and retain a high-quality staff team Conduct appraisals, supervision and performance management Identify training needs and deliver or coordinate staff development Manage rotas, annual leave and sickness absence Promote a positive, collaborative and professional staff culture Parent & Stakeholder Engagement Build strong relationships with parents and carers Ensure clear, timely and professional communication with families Oversee parents’ evenings, newsletters and regular updates Liaise with external professionals and agencies in the best interests of children Financial & Administrative Monitor budgets and expenditure to ensure cost efficiency Support occupancy management and capacity planning Oversee administrative functions and accurate record-keeping Person Specification Essential Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (minimum) Recognised management qualification Paediatric First Aid certificate Minimum two years’ experience managing an early years or educational setting Strong understanding of Ofsted, EYFS and regulatory compliance Proven leadership and organisational skills Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities Competent IT skills and experience with digital nursery systems Desirable Degree or foundation degree in Early Years Experience leading successful Ofsted inspections Personal Qualities Passionate about early years education Values-driven and able to lead by example Calm, professional and resilient under pressure Collaborative, trustworthy and approachable Highly organised with strong attention to detail Safeguarding This role involves working with children and is subject to satisfactory enhanced DBS clearance and appropriate references. To apply, please submit your CV for a confidential discussion