Nursery Manager - Maternity Leave Cover

Job summary

Nursery Manager — Maternity Cover

Fixed Term (approx. 12 months) |  37.5 hours per week  |  London

Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 per annum, commensurate with experience

About Us

Awesome Daycare is a warm, ambitious, and child-centred nursery setting based in North London, part of the Awesome Childcare Group. We are passionate about providing the very highest quality early years education and care, and our team are dedicated, professional, and committed to making a real and lasting difference to every child and family in our setting.

We are now looking for an exceptional Nursery Manager to lead our setting on a fixed term basis to cover a period of maternity leave. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity for an experienced and confident manager to make their mark, lead a talented team, and continue to develop a setting we are incredibly proud of.

The Role

This is a senior, standalone management post. You will have full responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and operational management of Awesome Daycare from day one. We need someone who is ready to lead immediately — an experienced, decisive, and self-sufficient manager who does not need to be directed, and who can inspire confidence in staff, families, and stakeholders from the moment they walk through the door.

This is not a post for someone who is looking to grow into a management role. It is for someone who has already done it, knows what outstanding looks like, and can deliver it with energy and professionalism throughout the period of cover. If that is you, we very much want to hear from you.

What You Will Be Doing

•  Taking full responsibility for the leadership and day-to-day operational management of the nursery

•  Leading, motivating, and supporting the staff team — conducting supervisions, appraisals, and performance management

•  Ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection practice are maintained throughout the setting

•  Acting as (or supporting) the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the setting

•  Ensuring compliance with the EYFS Statutory Framework 2025 and all Ofsted regulatory requirements

•  Maintaining all nursery systems, records, and documentation to a consistently high standard

•  Building and sustaining warm, professional relationships with families throughout the period of cover

•  Ensuring the setting is inspection-ready at all times

•  Supporting a smooth, professional handover to the permanent Nursery Manager on their return

About You

We are looking for an experienced, highly capable, and immediately effective early years leader. Specifically, you will have:

•  Substantial experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager with full, independent responsibility for leading a setting — this is non-negotiable

•  A minimum Level 5 qualification in Early Years Education or Childcare Management, or equivalent. QTS or EYTS is highly desirable

•  A thorough and current knowledge of the EYFS Statutory Framework 2025 and Ofsted inspection requirements

•  Experience of managing and developing a staff team, including supervisions, appraisals, and performance management

•  Current or recent DSL training, or a commitment to completing this at the earliest opportunity

•  The confidence, resilience, and professional maturity to lead a setting independently and to a high standard

•  Outstanding communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with staff and families quickly

•  A genuine commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and the highest quality early years practice

What We Offer

•  A competitive salary of £40,000 – £45,000 per annum, commensurate with your experience and qualifications

•  A fixed term contract of approximately 12 months covering maternity leave

•  37.5 contracted hours per week, Monday to Friday, on a rotating shift pattern

•  A talented, committed, and supportive staff team

•  The opportunity to lead a growing and ambitious nursery setting in London

•  Ongoing CPD and professional development support throughout the period of cover

•  Statutory annual leave entitlement — leave year runs 1st September to 31st August

Awesome Daycare

Person Specification

Nursery Manager — Maternity Cover

This person specification sets out the essential and desirable criteria for the post of Nursery Manager (Maternity Cover) at Awesome Daycare. Shortlisting and selection decisions will be made against these criteria. Essential criteria must be demonstrated in your application and at interview. Desirable criteria may be used to differentiate between candidates who meet all essential criteria.

Category

Essential Criteria

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

Minimum Level 5 qualification in Early Years Education, Childcare Management, or equivalent

Desirable :Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)

Higher level qualification or degree in Early Childhood Education or Leadership

Experience

Substantial experience as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager with full, independent responsibility for leading a nursery setting

Experience of covering a Nursery Manager during a period of absence, or managing a setting during a transition period

Demonstrable ability to lead and manage a setting independently without on-site support from a more senior manager

Experience of leading a nursery through a period of change or development

Proven experience of managing, supervising, appraising, and developing a staff team

Experience of budget management and financial oversight of a nursery setting

Experience of reviewing, implementing, and monitoring nursery systems and procedures to ensure statutory compliance

Experience of preparing for or leading a setting through an Ofsted inspection

Knowledge and Understanding

In-depth, current knowledge and practical application of the EYFS Statutory Framework 2025

Knowledge of Haringey’s local safeguarding procedures, MASH referral routes, and LADO process

Strong working knowledge of Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework and all associated early years regulatory requirements

Knowledge of SEND provision in an early years context, including EHCP processes

Sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation, including KCSIE 2025 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

Knowledge of the statutory requirements for children in care and previously looked after children in an early years setting

Understanding of the legal requirements relating to staffing, ratios, and the Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order 2005

Safeguarding

Current Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training, or willingness and commitment to complete this at the earliest opportunity

Current or recent experience of acting as DSL or DDSL in an early years setting

Current safeguarding training certificate (within 2 years)

Current Paediatric First Aid certificate, or willingness to obtain this on appointment

Current enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to undertake one

Skills and Competencies

Ability to hit the ground running — to lead effectively and independently from day one of the post

Desiarable: Fluency in a community or second language relevant to the families served by the setting

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with staff and families quickly

Desirable : Food Hygiene Certificate

Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities calmly and effectively under pressure

High standard of written English, numeracy, and record keeping

Proficient in IT, including nursery management software, planning systems, and Microsoft Office

Ability to conduct effective staff supervisions, appraisals, and performance management

Personal Qualities

Confident, decisive, and self-sufficient — able to make sound professional judgements independently

Resilient, solution-focused, and calm under pressure

Warm, approachable, and able to inspire confidence in staff, children, and families

Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of practice

Committed to maintaining your own continuing professional development

Genuine commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children at all times

How to Apply

If you are an experienced nursery manager who is ready to take on an immediate and impactful leadership role, we would love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a covering letter — outlining your experience, your suitability for this specific post, and your available start date

Awesome Daycare and Awesome Childcare Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check including a check against the Children’s Barred List, satisfactory references, and proof of the right to work in the UK. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.