Managing Director

Managing Director – Quackers & Cygnet Nursery Group

Salary: £70,000 basic, uncapped profit share, future sale-related bonus, mileage/car allowance, pension and possible childcare discount
Location: Banbury, Oxford, Chieveley and High Wycombe
Responsible to: Owner / CEO

Quackers and Cygnet Nursery Group is a growing childcare provider operating three nurseries in Banbury, Oxford and Chieveley, alongside a substantial wraparound care business.

We started with one nursery and, over the last two years, have grown to three nurseries. The group now has a turnover of approximately £4 million and employs around 150 staff. Our wraparound care business represents around one third of the company and is managed day to day by our OOSC Area Manager.

We are now looking for an experienced Managing Director to lead the next stage of our development.

The owner and founder currently acts as Managing Director and will be moving into a CEO role focused on acquisitions, strategic growth and the long-term development of the group. The new Managing Director will take responsibility for the operational leadership of the whole company, working closely with the CEO to support growth, strengthen the business and prepare the group for future acquisitions.

Our long-term plan includes further nursery acquisitions and a potential exit strategy within the next 5–7 years. For this reason, the role includes uncapped profit share and a bonus percentage linked to any future sale of the business.

This is a nursery-focused Managing Director role. The main day-to-day focus will be the leadership, performance, compliance, quality, staffing and commercial success of our nursery settings. The Managing Director will also have overall responsibility for the wraparound care side of the business, supporting the OOSC Area Manager and acting as a senior figurehead for schools where contract discussions, renewals or strategic relationship matters arise.

This is not a role for someone looking to learn on the job. We are looking for someone who has already operated at a senior level within the childcare sector. The right person will bring external experience, strong operational standards, proven systems and the ability to introduce structure across a growing childcare group.

We are a friendly, personable and values-led business. It is extremely important to us that, as we grow, we do not lose the culture that helped us get here. Every member of our team matters, and we want our staff to feel supported, respected and treated well.

We see the business as a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. We have many things that already work well, built through our own in-house processes and experience. However, the next stage of growth needs outside knowledge, stronger structure and proven leadership from someone who has already worked at this level.

This is not an office-only role. The Managing Director will be expected to be visible across our nurseries, working directly with Nursery Managers and teams. When not on site, the role will be based from our open-plan office in High Wycombe, working alongside our admin and support teams.

What You’ll Be Doing

1. Overseeing the management of our current nurseries in Banbury, Oxford and Chieveley, along with future acquisitions, ensuring each setting delivers high-quality care, education and strong financial performance.
2. Taking overall responsibility for the leadership, performance, compliance, staffing, quality and commercial success of the nursery group.
3. Providing guidance, support and challenge to Nursery Managers and their teams, helping them maintain high standards and achieve their best.
4. Ensuring all nurseries are working towards and maintaining strong Ofsted outcomes, with a clear focus on achieving and sustaining “Good” or better.
5. Driving continuous improvement across all nursery settings.
6. Ensuring full compliance with EYFS, safeguarding, Ofsted requirements, company policies and all statutory obligations.
7. Upholding the highest safety standards across the nurseries, ensuring settings are clean, safe, compliant and offer inspiring learning environments.
8. Creating a positive culture that values staff, supports their development and builds strong relationships with parents, schools and external stakeholders.
9. Overseeing financial performance, maximising occupancy and revenue, and controlling costs to ensure the financial health of each nursery.
10. Supporting the OOSC Area Manager, who manages the wraparound care business day to day.
11. Acting as a senior figurehead for schools in relation to wraparound care contracts, renewals and strategic relationships.
12. Introducing clear procedures, reporting, accountability and oversight across the whole business.
13. Working closely with the CEO to support acquisitions, growth and future exit planning.
14. Building on existing in-house systems while introducing external knowledge and best practice.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means leading a team of well-supported, skilled and motivated staff who are committed to providing the highest quality childcare and early education.

You will ensure that the nurseries perform at a high level, are commercially strong, and consistently work towards “Good” or better Ofsted outcomes. Full compliance with statutory requirements, safeguarding expectations and internal policies will be maintained across the group.

The nurseries should be clean, safe, welcoming and inspiring places for children to learn and staff to work. Nursery Managers should feel supported but also properly accountable for performance, standards, occupancy, staffing, parent satisfaction and financial results.

Meeting or exceeding targets for occupancy, income, cost control, staff retention, quality and compliance will be key measures of success. You will also play an important part in preparing the business for future nursery acquisitions and a possible exit strategy within the next 5–7 years.

What It Takes

You will need to have:

1. A minimum Level 3 qualification in Childcare, Early Years or Children and Education.
2. A degree in Early Childhood Studies, Education, Childcare or a related field would be desirable.
3. Extensive senior management experience in a multi-setting childcare, nursery, education or similar regulated environment.
4. Proven experience managing multiple sites or leading managers across different locations.
5. Strong understanding of EYFS, safeguarding, Ofsted, compliance and quality assurance.
6. Proven ability in staff leadership, service planning, compliance and continuous improvement.
7. Strong commercial awareness, including occupancy, staffing costs, profitability and business performance.
8. Experience introducing systems, structure, procedures and accountability.
9. Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
10. Confidence dealing with parents, staff, schools, local authorities, Ofsted and other external stakeholders.
11. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant childcare or nursery management software.
12. The confidence to lead managers, challenge underperformance and improve standards.
13. A practical, hands-on and visible leadership style.
14. A friendly, approachable and non-corporate attitude.

We believe no one is above anyone else in the business, including the CEO. We are looking for someone who can set high standards while remaining approachable, fair, practical and willing to be part of the team.

Safeguarding

Quackers and Cygnet Nursery Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to undergo all safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, references and verification of qualifications and experience.