Nursery Manager

Job Description:

Nursery managers run early years childcare centres, providing day care for babies and young children from birth to 5 years.

Job Category:
Education

What you will do:

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

  • create a safe and stimulating environment to promote learning
  • update parents and carers on children’s progress
  • work with colleagues to meet children’s needs
  • check equipment is in good condition

You’ll also have business responsibilities. You could:

  • recruit staff and develop the nursery team
  • manage a budget
  • arrange marketing materials
  • keep records and create management reports
  • work within environmental, health and safety and fire regulations
  • keep up to date with developments in early years care
  • build relationships with parents, carers, schools and childcare professionals
  • make sure the nursery meets early years foundation stage standards

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

  • leadership skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work on your own (drive)
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can do a foundation degree or degree in child development or a related subject, for example:

  • early years education
  • psychology
  • childhood studies

Some nurseries may prefer you to have early years teacher status (EYTS).

College

You could start by doing a Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.

You can also do other childcare qualifications but they must be of a higher standard if you want to become a manager.

Apprenticeship

You could complete an advanced early years practitioner apprenticeship or an early years lead practitioner higher apprenticeship.

Once you have experience as a nursery worker you could apply for a job as a deputy manager or manager.

Work

Many people start as a nursery worker. With experience and further training, you can apply for supervisor jobs then move into nursery management. You’ll usually need at least 2 years’ work experience with children in a nursery to apply to become a manager.

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 35-40 hours of work. You could be required to work early mornings on a rota

You could work in a nursery. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could become an area manager and look after the work of a number of nurseries. You might also think about setting up your own private nursery.

You could become a trainer or training assessor for people studying for childcare qualifications. You could also move into nursery inspection.

Taking a higher education qualification in early years or child development could help you move into teaching, children’s nursing or social work.