Nursery Manager

Nursery Manager - Pre-School

Willows Farm Day Nursery - part of the Farm Day Nurseries Group

Willows Farm Day Nursery is an idyllic setting based onsite at the award winning Willows Farm in Colney Heath, nr St Albans. We focus on nature based play, and outdoor learning, following a child led curiosity approach to children's development. Our ethos is that we want the best for children! It’s our privilege to make learning an adventure. Children are experts in their own play. We follow their lead!

This large setting is 181 place in total, with a separate Nursery and Preschool Manager in place.

We now have a vacancy available for an experienced and confident Preschool Manager to run the 96 place Preschool side (3-4yrs) of our unique farm based setting.

Why work with us?

We are a genuinely transparent company, where the Senior Management team are present and available onsite and on the phone on a daily basis. We openly offer and encourage progression, and training opportunities, as well as extra benefits such as wellbeing ambassadors onsite, to ensure everyone’s mental health and wellbeing are looked after. We have friendly staff who work fantastically as a team, great children and supportive parents. As well as our beautiful, calm, farm based location, you’ll soon see why it’s a great company to work for.

Benefits

We offer an attractive salary and benefits package including:

• 50% off childcare (including Holiday Camp) – from day one with us!
• Wellbeing ambassadors in all our settings, to look after your health and wellbeing
• Free family annual pass into Willows Farm! - worth £600 per year
• 2 free meals, and unlimited drinks every day for our staff
• 28 days annual holiday, increasing with service up to 33 days
• Refer a friend bonus up to £500 per referral - no limit on the number of referrals you can make!
• An open door management policy across all of our settings – You should always feel like you can come and talk to us.
• WPA "NHS Top up" - including a 24/7 helpline, access to private doctors appointments, money back on healthcare expenses
• Tastecard for all permanent staff - Offering up to 50% off various restaurants, cafes, take aways, cinema tickets & days out.
• Access to various training courses, and ongoing progression and development opportunities
• Regular staff/team outings and celebrations – let your hair down, you deserve it!
• Free staff uniform – comfortable polo shirts, and a coat for outdoors!
• Enhanced NEST Pension scheme for all staff – for a comfortable future retirement!
• Monthly staff lotteries and employee of the month – it could be you!
• Length of service awards and gifts – recognising your loyalty!
• Staff awards ceremony - with prizes worth up to £500!
• Staff summer bbq, and Christmas party
• Extra little “thank you” gifts for Valentines, Easter, Staff appreciation day, Christmas and other special annual days!
• Relocation packages – If you fancy a change of scenery?
• Cycle to work scheme – we will help you buy your new bike!
• Free parking

Experience / Qualifications required

• We are looking for a strong Preschool Manager, who has previous experience running a large nursery setting taking children from 3-4 years.
• You must be qualified to a minimum of level 3 in Early Years
• Ideally 2 years experience as a manager of a large setting.
• Available to work on a full time basis of 40hrs per week, Monday - Friday, all year round
• Experience and understanding of OFSTED standards, previous experience of inspections in a management capacity.
• A strong staff leader, who shows real focus on recruitment and retention of a well balanced team.
• The ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
• Knowledge and understanding of OFSTED standards
• Knowledge and understanding of childcare management
• Ability to lead childcare team, developing positive relationships with colleagues, parents, children and outside agencies.

"Willows Farm Day Nursery – Doing what’s best for children and our staff"

Farm Day Nurseries are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.