What Is a Nursery Manager?

Working as a Nursery Manager is a highly rewarding experience that comes with big responsibilities. In this role, you can play a major part in a child’s growth and development.

If you’re interested in becoming a Nursery Manager, every All About Children nursery is a safe, caring, and friendly working environment with a real family feel. As a company, we strive to develop and empower our staff so that they can continuously deliver outstanding outcomes every day. Here’s all you need to know about becoming a Nursery Manager at one of our nursery settings.

What does an All About Children Nursery Manager do?

As a Nursery Manager, you’ll play a key role in helping recruit, supporting and training all staff members in the team. With your team, you’ll ensure that all children attending the setting are kept safe and enjoy play experiences that are appropriate for their age and development.

The position comes with many responsibilities. One of your main roles as a manager will be to manage the day-to-day running of the nursery effectively, such as taking care of financial operations.

You’ll also have to ensure that all legislation is complied with. This includes registration with regulatory bodies, special needs, child protection, Health and Safety, and Food Safety. Making sure that company policies and procedures are adhered to is also important.

Key responsibilities

As a Nursery Manager for All About Children, you will be running a business but also working closely with children and their families.

This is what makes the role so unique and rewarding; you’ll get the satisfaction of growing a business whilst building human connections and seeing the children develop. Here are some of the responsibilities you can expect to have in the role:

  • Build and encourage relationships with parents/carers and other family members.
  • Manage the occupancy to ensure it shows growth and meets the business aims.
  • Supply accurate monitoring information including occupancy overviews and competitor analysis.
  • Stay on top of current developments in childcare and education policies and practices.
  • Maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the nursery.
  • Manage, monitor and control budgets.
  • Maintain petty cash systems.

To learn more about the key responsibilities or what is expected of a Nursery Manager for All About Children, contact our friendly recruitment team on 01604 265458 or recruitment@allaboutchildren.co.uk. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

How to become a Nursery Manager

To become a Nursery Manager, there are a few things you need to know.

You’ll need to have a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification in childcare as well as roughly two years’ post-qualifying experience of working with children. Ideally, you’ll have some supervisory experience that would also be useful. A recognised qualification must be ‘full and relevant’ which means it meets certain standards set out in law.

There are numerous full and relevant qualifications. Some examples include:

  • Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce
  • Foundation degree or HND in an Early Years related subject
  • Degree in Early Years, childcare, child development or related subject

If you do not have a full and relevant award at Level 3, you will need to complete a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification to be counted in the staff-to-children ratios at Level 3.

We hope this guide has given you some insight as to what to expect as a Nursery Manager. If you’re interested in finding out more, take a look at the current Nursery Manager jobs available across our nursery settings.

Contact Us

If you feel as though you don’t have the required experience for a Nursery Manager role, but you are interested in a career in childcare, we have several fantastic apprenticeship opportunities to help those looking for some experience in the Early Years sector. Contact us with your CV to learn more.

What Our Staff Say

My name is Carla and I’m the room leader in Preschool. I go to work knowing that my knowledge, experience and passion is appreciated, I have a fantastic management team who listen, support and encourage me to be the best I can be. Working with a great team to deliver the best care for every child in our room. I love my role and feel like I make a difference.

Carla – Room Leader

I have been working for the nursery for nearly 3 years as the manager. I have loved watching the staff and children develop. We get a lot of support from other nurseries and our senior management team. There is a variety of career progression not just for the staff but for the management team also.

Amy – Nursery Manager

Silchester Manor has given me a platform to not only work and learn but also make a difference in children’s development and growth. The nursery has a great team to coordinate and work with, which brings a great difference in morale. In all, a great setting to work with and be in!

Rusha Chatterjee – Bank Staff

Silchester Manor is a great nursery to work with. I used to come through Agency and recently I have permanently joined the team. All the staff members are very supportive and friendly. This nursery has given be a great place to work and learn about childcare. I am very pleased to be a part of this team.

Anila Mushtaq Bhatti – Bank Staff

I have been working at Silchester Manor Nursery as bank staff for nearly four years. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere and relationship with children and their parents. I have seen babies progressing to the preschool and have enjoyed this journey with them. It is a nice place to work and I especially enjoy the lovely garden.

Alison Wakefield – Bank Staff

I feel happy and motivated working at Silchester Manor. The Nursery environment is positive and cheerful. My co-workers are very helpful and understanding. I am provided with training and guidance from my seniors. Thankful to get opportunity to work at this nursery.

Palwinder Kaur – Lunch Cover

Silchester Manor is a great place to work. I have been here almost a year and have learnt so much. I enjoy coming into work every day and spending time with the children and staff. It has given me a passion to better myself in this area and hopefully start level 3 in childcare.

Sophie Baird – Lunch Cover

I find it hard to believe that I joined as an apprentice and now I’m a room leader.

Sydney – The Little People, Room Leader

I started off at college and quickly realized I wanted to explore more of the practical day to day side of childcare, so I opted for an apprenticeship. I started and have never looked back. I found the course very informative and it gave me exactly what I wanted which was to work with children.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice, now Practitioner

I am so glad I undertook the apprenticeship; it has really given me an opportunity to have hands on experiences, learn about every aspect of childcare and has given me a way to put my knowledge that I’m learning into practice. I have a wonderful support network at The Little People.

Elsa – The Little People, Apprentice

I love working here, the team are wonderful role models and I really enjoy my day to day duties.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice

I have been with Daybreak for almost 9 years, and I have learnt a great deal about the children’s development and I have been inspired so much from my current management team to work up to the position of Room Leader. Since All About Children have taken over, they have continued to support me with my progression and influenced me with their passion and enthusiasm.

Sarah Brend – Senior/Room Leader

I recently completed my level 2 in Childcare and I always wanted to train for my level 3. All About Children provided me with the opportunity to complete this training within the support of my team at Amersham Chiltern Avenue as well as support from my Area Maut Children.

Katie Cyster – Trainee Level 3

I knew I wanted to work in childcare and heard about apprenticeships, I wasn’t sure where to apply so put out a post on Facebook which Emma the Deputy responded to, she asked me to send in my CV which I did. Emma and the Manager interviewed me and gave me the opportunity to work as a temporary staff member to see if this was something I wanted to do. From the moment I started I knew this was a career I wanted to pursue. Since starting my apprenticeship here at Park Road I have grown in confidence and developed my knowledge through experience, guidance and support from all the team.

Connor – Apprentice Park Road

I was working at an After School Club and wanted to further my career so I applied at Park Road and was given the opportunity to gain a qualification in childcare whilst working as a Nursery Assistant. During this time I have developed my skills, I have learnt how to be a key carer, carry out observations, plan to meet the children's next steps and develop my knowledge of the EYFS and the Curiosity Approach. This isn't just a job I feel valued and part of a team.

Katie – Apprentice Park Road