Early Years Manager

Reports to

Operations Manager

Our mission

To provide exceptional early years care in a safe, nurturing and fulfilling environment whilst inspiring children to unlock their full potential through key skills and values which will establish them as gifted citizens of the world.

Our vision

To be a nursery where teaching is fun, and learning is easy.

Our values

We are caring

We are kind, gentle, calm, and welcoming. We respect the children, each other, and our environment. We teach the children and are ready to listen and learn from them. We build trusting, supportive, and non-discriminatory relationships in the best interests of the child. We have sensitive, responsive, and expressive interactions between practitioner and children. We celebrate each child’s unique perspective and take children seriously as active and competent members of society.

We are energetic

We play, learn, and laugh together, spending time outdoors and encouraging children to be active, confident, and joyful participants. We provide experiences which inspire creativity and nurture curiosity, enabling children to be independent, resilient, and successful. We grow, eat, and cook together, building skills for a healthy future.

We are innovative

We uphold traditional theories and pedagogies, but constantly review, research, and reflect. We listen to ideas and are ready to embrace them. We are proud to be leaders in progressive childcare.

Your duties

Childcare & Education

  • Promote high standards of quality within the nursery regarding the environment and resources for children, experiences offered to children and planning and record keeping.
  • Lead in the implementation of the relevant curriculum at Snapdragons.
  • Promote and facilitate partnership with parents /carers and other family members.
  • Support the development of good practice with regard to special needs and inclusion.
  • Ensure that children are kept safe and that staff understand, and when necessary follow, Safeguarding Procedures.
  • Oversee the nutritional needs of the children and that Food Safety Regulations are complied with.
  • Promote and facilitate multiagency working with area SENCos, advisory teachers, health professionals and local authority programmes. Comply with the statutory framework set out by the relevant Regulatory Body and relevant legislation including the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and company policies and procedures at all times.
  • Establish, develop and maintain highly professional working relationships with relevant Local Authority Departments, regulatory bodies and other agencies.
  • Remain abreast of current developments in childcare and education policy and practice.
  • Ensure that staff are following the key person procedures in line with company policy and the curriculum.

Health & safety

  • Undertake a shared responsibility for health, safety and cleanliness throughout the nursery.
  • Ensure the general cleanliness of the children at all times.
  • Adhere to all Health and Safety policies and procedures.
  • Be fully aware of all emergency and security procedures e.g. fire precautions, security, dropping off and collection of children.
  • Ensure the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness in the bedding and nappy changing area and food surface areas.
  • Be responsible for first aid in the setting.
  • Implement Health and Safety polices with in the nursery with support from the Risk Management team. To audit, evaluate and manage risk and ensure that any actions given by the Risk Management team are passed to staff and implemented immediately.
  • Be responsible for ensuring the nursery remains compliant in regards to suitably trained staff with relevant first aid qualifications.

Operational

  • Promote the nursery to current parents and potential customers.
  • Ensure accurate reporting with regards to marketing, occupancy and quality and standards.
  • Facilitate inspections by regulatory bodies and implement any recommendations.
  • Maintain accurate accounts for the nursery and produce management information as required.
  • Ensure the accuracy of staff roster and payroll administration.
  • Monitor staff costs with regard to budget projections.
  • Monitor and report Petty Cash and be responsible for the collection and recording and banking of fees.

Communication

  • Develop and promote parental partnership and involvement.
  • Ensure good communication between all users of the nursery.
  • Establish and maintain communication links with outside agencies.
  • Co-ordinate/lead regular staff meetings, planning meetings and parents’ meetings and other events including organising agendas and minutes.

Staff

  • Carry out the recruitment of, and induction procedure for all new staff.
  • Maintain accurate staff records.
  • Support and supervise all staff with their day to day duties.
  • Oversee supervisions and hold annual appraisals with all staff in accordance with company policy.
  • Identify training needs, develop a training plan and evaluate training undertaken by staff.
  • Support Personal Development Plans
  • Work in consultation with Human Resources in Disciplinary and Grievance investigations and meetings with regard to staff.
  • Be responsible for participating in all self-development activities including appraisals, supervisions etc.

General

  • Be responsible for all administrative duties associated with the management of the facility, such as, maintaining records on children and families, ordering equipment, maintaining inventories and keeping personnel records.
  • Ensure all computer systems are up to date and in line with company policies and procedures including staff roster and Connect.
  • Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
  • Ensure the company’s policies on diversity and equal opportunities are adhered to.
  • Undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by line management.

What you need

Essential

  • GCSE 4+ in English and Maths (A – C).
  • At least two years’ experience in a senior position within a childcare setting, preferably as a Deputy Manager
  • Ability to engage positively with colleagues and parents
  • A willingness to undertake relevant further training as and when required
  • Good communication skills both written and verbal
  • Ability to engage and interact positively with children
  • Able to follow instructions and work using own initiative as necessary
  • Reliable, responsible, trustworthy and motivated
  • Commitment to safeguarding children at all times
  • Experience of leading and supporting staff teams to improve practice
  • A sound knowledge of child development for children from birth to five years.
  • An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
  • An understanding of a play-based approach to children’s learning and development
  • Knowledge and understanding of the statutory framework for the relevant statutory regulations and the inspection processes of regulatory bodies
  • Knowledge and understanding of the key legislation related to childcare and education
  • Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
  • Ability to develop effective relationships with colleagues, parents and outside agencies
  • Effective leadership skills
  • The ability to plan and organise workload
  • The ability to use computers and software packages.
  • An understanding of and commitment to Equality & Diversity.
  • An understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace.
  • A willingness to support at other settings as reasonably required.
  • Enhanced DBS
  • Aged 16 or over
  • Minimum of a Level 3 qualification specific to Early Years as defined by the Department for Education.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with Safeguarding cases and working with external agencies
  • Previous appointment as a Nursery Manager
  • Experience of quality assurance schemes
  • A higher-level qualification i.e. Foundation Degree in Early Years / Early Childhood Studies Degree / EYP/T / QTS.
  • Level 3 / 5 in Leadership and Management
  • Paediatric First Aid Training (12 hours)
  • Enhanced Safeguarding Training