Nursery Manager

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Location: London Colney, St Albans, United Kingdom, Hertfordshire, AL2 1BG Contract Type: Full-time Contract Length: Permanent Hours: 40 hours per week Salary: From £36,000 per annum (plus quarterly and annual bonuses) Benefits: Birthday Off, 6 Fully Paid Sick Days, Cashback Healthcare Plan, Retail Discounts, Recognition & Reward Scheme, 50% Childcare Discount, 24/7 Virtual GP Access, 24/7 Counselling Support, Discounted Gym Membership, Personal Financial Advisor Access, Pension Discovery, Learning Platform Access

Join the Kindred Family – Lead, Inspire, and Make a Difference

Are you an experienced early years professional with a passion for leadership and delivering outstanding childcare? At Kindred, our Nursery Managers are at the heart of our nurseries, creating supportive and inspiring environments for children and staff alike.

We offer a competitive salary, career progression opportunities, quarterly and annual bonuses, and the chance to develop within a company that truly values its leaders. You’ll manage and improve your nursery, lead a talented team, and play a key role in shaping children’s early education while helping your team thrive.

If you’re ambitious, driven, and passionate about early years education, we’d love to meet you.

About Kindred

Kindred is a family of inspiring nurseries and preschools with a distinct home-from-home environment. By creating days filled with unique moments and opportunities, we enrich children’s development during their early years.

Our mission is creating inspiring worlds full of awe and wonder for little ones to grow and thrive in.

Our values guide all we do

Always Learning – Continuously developing ourselves and our teams

Inspirational – Creating magic in every action

Family Feel – Making everyone feel part of our incredible family

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Nursery Manager, you will

Lead the Deputy Manager, Third in Charge, and Room Leaders to ensure high standards of Early Years care and education

Maintain an organised, safe, and stimulating nursery environment

Keep accurate records and ensure procedures are followed across the nursery

Build and maintain a reputation as the nursery of choice for children and staff

Model and monitor best practice in line with regulatory guidelines

Inspire and support your team, overseeing inductions, mentoring, and ongoing development

Ensure the nursery runs efficiently, meets KPIs, budgets, and targets, and is prepared for audits and inspections

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility and central to every aspect of your role.

Leadership Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day operations of the nursery

Lead by example, modelling good practice and creating a shared vision

Supervise, support, and allocate tasks to your team

Conduct regular supervisions and performance discussions

Manage recruitment, interviews, and induction of new staff

Respond to complaints or concerns raised by parents or colleagues

Conduct nursery tours confidently, promoting available spaces

Ensure compliance with statutory guidelines, company policies, procedures, and risk assessments

Other Responsibilities

Actively deliver and participate in staff meetings, training, parent sessions, and marketing events (including evenings or weekends)

Support wider company projects, training sessions, and meetings at other locations including Head Office

What You’ll Need

Essential

Proven experience in leading and managing a team within early years

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail

Outstanding customer service and time management

Full and relevant Early Years Level 3 Childcare Qualification or higher

Sound knowledge of EYFS and OFSTED guidelines

Why Join Kindred?

At Kindred, we’re more than a nursery group – we’re a family.

Supportive & Inclusive Culture – Strong relationships and team collaboration

Career Development – Structured training, mentorship, and clear progression pathways

Work-Life Balance – Structured hours and supportive leadership environment

Competitive Pay & Benefits – Salary, bonuses, and generous benefits package

Award-Winning Employer – A workplace our team proudly recommends

Our Recruitment Process

Interviews: Rolling interviews

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Our process includes

Video interview followed by a face-to-face interview at the nursery

A fully supervised ‘Stay and Play’ session

Background checks including References and Enhanced DBS in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy

Ready to Start Your Kindred Journey?

To apply for the Nursery Manager position, please click the “Apply” button, complete the application form, and upload your CV along with a short cover letter explaining your interest in leading a Kindred nursery.

We aim to respond to all applicants within 2–5 working days.

Thank you for considering a career with Kindred.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

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