Nursery Manager

Job Title: Temporary Nursery Manager (Maternity Cover)
Location: West Midlands
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday (40 hours)
Contract: Temporary – Maternity Cover (from Dec to Feb
Pay: £120 - £130 per day

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Temporary Nursery Manager to cover maternity leave from December. The successful candidate will oversee the daily operations of a busy nursery setting, ensuring it remains a safe, nurturing, and high-quality environment for children aged 0–5 years. You will lead and support a team of staff, maintain full regulatory compliance, and build strong relationships with parents, carers, and the wider community.

This role requires a strong leader who can manage a team, deliver high-quality early years provision, and ensure the nursery meets all Ofsted, safeguarding, health and safety, and EYFS requirements. You will work closely with the CEO to maintain standards, manage resources effectively, and drive continuous improvement across the setting.

• Oversee daily nursery operations and ensure a safe, stimulating environment

• Lead, manage, and support nursery staff, including recruitment, training, and supervision

• Develop and implement EYFS-aligned educational programmes

• Maintain full compliance with Ofsted, safeguarding, and legislative requirements

• Build strong relationships with parents/carers, providing regular updates

• Manage budgets, resources, occupancy, and staffing levels

• Conduct assessments and monitor children’s development

• Organise events and promote community involvement

• Ensure high-quality provision for all children, regardless of background or ability

• Work with the CEO to maintain Ofsted registration and implement improvements

• NVQ Level 3 Early Years qualification or above (Level 4 desirable)

• Minimum 2 years’ managerial experience within a nursery setting

• Strong leadership and people management skills

• Excellent understanding of Ofsted standards, EYFS, safeguarding and health & safety

• Paediatric First Aid

• DSL training

• Strong communication, organisation, and record-keeping skills

• Ability to create a nurturing, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment

Smart Education is a specialist Education and Early Years agency, recruiting for both permanent and temporary roles including Teachers, Teaching Assistants, SEND professionals, Nursery Nurses, and Tutors. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.