Nursery Manager

We are welcoming applications for a Nursery Manager 35 hours per week.

Term Time Only – Fixed Term until June 2025.

FTE: £32,336. Actual: £28,150 (Hourly Rate: £17.76)

The City of Liverpool College has 5 sites in the city centre area and serves 10,000+ students each year. The college has its own onsite nursery in our Arts Centre building, this purpose-built facility opened in September 2019. 

The nursery offers full and sessional day-care for pre-school children from 5 months of age. Places are fully funded for eligible students and there are a small number of fee-paying places available for staff of the college. 

The Nursery Manager is responsible for the daily running and administration of the nursery, ensuring compliance with all statutory and registration requirements. 

We are looking for a knowledgeable and inspirational leader. The ideal candidate will have a passion to inspire, guide and support a long-standing nursery team through effective coaching, mentoring and role modelling. With in-depth knowledge of child development and EYFS practice.

You must have at least 3 years’ post qualification experience of working in an early years environment and experience in a leadership role is essential. You must hold a minimum Level 3 (full and relevant) qualification and be a conversant user of MS Office and IT systems and have a willingness to learn and develop ICT their skills to ensure effective productivity.

For more information regarding the role, please contact askrecruitment@liv-coll.ac.uk.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with legislation, guidance and conditions of registration
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the nursery ensuring the highest standards are maintained
• Induct, support, appraise and manage nursery staff to ensure best practice
• Review policies and procedures in line with legislative/government guidance, local authority strategies and practice/training developments
• Managerial lead in any Ofsted inspection. Ensuring the nursery conforms to and exceeds Ofsted requirements and undertaking the necessary preparation for inspection visit.
• To be responsible for the construction and delivery of a fully inclusive curriculum adhering to the principles of the EYFS through effective staff management and deployment
• Foster a culture of self-reflection to monitor and assess the quality of provision ensuring best practice and professional standards are maintained
• Ensure regular staff supervision takes place, through formal meetings, discussions and observations of practice. Keeping accurate records of such meetings.
• Liaise with the Childcare Manager regarding occupancy, income, free entitlement hours for 2, 3 and 4-year-old children and childcare expansion hours for working parents
• Keep accurate and up to date records that are managed in line with Data Protection and GDPR regulations
• Manage staff absences in line with The City of Liverpool College Attendance Management Policy
• Be responsible for the process of goods received protocols (GRN) for nursery purchases, in compliance with finance regulations
• Oversee the purchasing of consumables and other resources for the nursery and maintain adequate supplies
• Work with the Childcare Manager, and Deputy to ensure optimum occupancy levels though the allocation of nursery places, accurate completion of, and monitoring of attendance registers and effective staff deployment
• Ensure the health and safety, security and welfare of children, staff, students and visitors and maintain all associated records

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria 

• Qualified to at least Level 3 in Early Years childcare/education
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a management role within a nursery/childcare environment
• A deep level of knowledge and understanding of child development, key legislative framework, The Early Years Foundation Stage, safeguarding and child protection practices
• Effective communication and team working skills to lead, coach and mentor nursery staff to ensure a consistent approach across all aspects of provision
• Positive, self-motivated, highly organised, with a commitment and strong vision for quality early years provision
• Ability to work under own initiative, with effective time management to complete tasks and meet deadlines
• Personal qualities of integrity, honesty, transparency and commitment to/ownership of the mission & values of the College.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, professional and personal resilience in dealing with challenging situations
• Commitment to own professional development and to participate fully in training opportunities
• Be a conversant user of MS and IT systems and have a willingness to learn and develop ICT skills to ensure effective productivity
• Willingness & ability to embrace new systems to drive forward initiatives within the nursery

Benefits

We really care about our people. As a member of College staff, you will have access to a wide range of benefits, wellbeing services and opportunities for professional development.

These include:

• Generous annual leave - We offer the highest holiday entitlement in the City Region
• Competitive salary - Our salaries are the highest within FE in the City Region
• Access to our Employee Benefits Platform, offering hundreds of discounts and savings
• Wellbeing support - Access to a free, independent and confidential 24 hour counselling support, as well as general wellbeing and lifestyle support through our platform and app
• Pension Scheme - Excellent pension provision, with memberships of Local Government Scheme, Teachers Pension Scheme and Aviva, depending on the role.

About The City of Liverpool College

The City of Liverpool College is the largest further education college in the Liverpool City Region. With more than 600 members of staff, hundreds of courses, five campuses and over 10,000 students, we are at the forefront of education in our region. 

We proudly scored GOOD in our 2024 OFSTED inspection, with several areas graded outstanding. Ofsted described our student experience as “transformative and life-enhancing”. 

We’re committed to supporting every student to achieve and progress with the skills and expertise they need for their next step. We couldn’t do this without the people who make this happen every day – our brilliant staff.