Nursery Manager

We are a friendly, homely nursery setting with a love for the outdoors, in large grounds in the centre of Devizes. We cater for children 0-school age across 4 indoor play spaces and huge outside spaces, including an allotment, wooded area and dedicated, safe enclosed play spaces for our youngest children. We believe in the power of play, the magic of imagination, and the importance of early years education.

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and ambitious Nursery Manager at Heathcote House Nursery in the beautiful market town of Devizes. The successful candidate will be passionate about delivering high-quality Early Years provision and experienced in managing a setting with 90-100+ children attending. You will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operation of the nursery with the support of Wishford Education, and be ready to take an already successful nursery to new heights.

The nursery was inspected by Ofsted in June 2025 and rated Good in all areas: find link here. In particular, the inspector praised the positive interactions between staff and children.

Salary: £37,000.00 - £42,000.00 pa based on qualifications and experience.

£1,000.00 joining bonus!*

• 5% employer pension
• EV scheme through Octopus
• Cycle to work scheme and shopping discounts
• 50% fee discount for the sessions your child attends on the days you work in the nursery
• Access to the group's counselling scheme
• 3 x days of paid CPD / training per year
• 25 days holiday per year, paid bank holidays off plus discretionary extra Christmas closure leave
• Access to fully funded apprenticeships
• Accident at work insurance cover
• Staff uniform provided

• A supportive, family-like team culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A beautiful, homely setting where children and staff feel valued.

• In-depth understanding of the EYFS framework and early childhood development.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Engage in continuous professional development, staying informed on sector developments, regulatory changes, and best practices in Early Years education.
• Be financially aware and target-drive, with proven experience in managing budgets, controlling costs and achieving financial objectives.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and time management.
• Confident in using data to drive improvement and inform planning.
• IT literate, with experience using nursery management systems (e.g., EYWorks).

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the nursery, ensuring compliance with EYFS, and health and safety standards.
• Lead the next stage of nursery growth, including marketing and implementation.
• Have an up to date working knowledge of the Early Years Framework and all other statutory guidance.
• Inspire a large and friendly team of early years professionals and provide regular training and continued staff support.
• Monitor and maintain high standards of care, education, and safeguarding.
• Work closely with the Nursery Area Manager and the support team from Wishford Education to manage child occupancy, financial budgets, and staffing.
• Work with Talent Acquisition Partner to recruit and induct new staff members

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the nursery, ensuring all staff understand and comply with safeguarding procedures.
• Lead on all safeguarding matters, including referrals, staff training, and liaising with external agencies, and ensuring full compliance with EYFS, Ofsted, and local authority regulations.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records for children, staff, and incidents.
• Keep safeguarding logs, accident/incident reports, and child development records up to date,
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practices.
• Take overall responsibility for the safety and the well-being of all children in the setting, conducting regular risk assessments, and promoting a culture of vigilance and proactive safeguarding among all staff.

• Maximise nursery occupancy through proactive enrolment strategies and excellent parent engagement.
• Ensure efficient staff deployment aligned with child ratios and budget constraints.
• Oversee procurement and use of resources to ensure quality and cost-efficiency.
• Lead local marketing initiatives and promote the nursery through events and community outreach.
• Work with the Nursery Marketing and Admissions Executive to manage the nurserys online presence.
• Monitor and respond to parent feedback and online reviews, mainly on Day Nurseries to maintain a positive reputation.
• Build strong relationships with the local community to enhance visibility and trust.
• Work with the Nursery Finance Business Partner to achieve financial targets, manage nursery budgets, and monitor income and expenditure.
• Oversee fee collection processes and manage outstanding charges professionally and sensitively.

• Motivate and inspire your nursery team.
• Foster a positive,…