Nursery Manager - Botley

Nursery Manager
Location:  Botley, S032 2DR​

Salary Range: Up to £42,432.00 per year including OTE Bonus potential
(depending upon experience and qualification)

Hours: 40 hours per week
​
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits: Pension, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 1 day off for birthday

Application
​Form

​If you wish to apply for this exciting position within Hopscotch please complete our online application form below:
JOB PURPOSE
  • Ensure overall responsibility for the effective daily management of the nursery to have sound knowledge of all company policies, procedures, statutory requirements and Ofsted expectations and ensure they are maintained at all times.
  • To be a positive role model to the staff team showcasing high quality practice within all areas of childcare.
  • To be the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within the setting and ensure that all practitioners and support staff have a sound awareness of Working Together to Safeguard Children National Statutory Guidance, The HSCP (Hampshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership) and the Hopscotch Safeguarding Policy and procedures.
  • Ensure all children that attend the nursery setting are kept safe and receive the very highest standard of care, learning and play opportunities which are age and developmentally appropriate.
  • Effectively lead, motivate, inspire and manage the staff team ensuring ongoing individual personal development.
  • Day to day management and running of the nursery including financial operations in line with company policy and procedures.
  • Ensure all relevant statutory guidelines are met in line with the delivery of the EYFS and OFSTED registration.
  • Ensure all legislation in relation to regulatory bodies, inclusion, safeguarding and health and safety are complied to and that Hopscotch’s policies and procedures are known, adhered to and implemented.
  • Manage the setting in line with the financial forecasts with support from the finance team.
  • Review and monitor occupancy levels to ensure they are maintained to maximum capacity and that ratio and conditions of registration are adhered to.
  • Overall responsibility for the safety, security and well-being of all children, staff and visitors at all times.
 
CHILDCARE and EDUCATION
  • To be the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within the setting and ensure that all practitioners and support staff have a sound awareness of Working Together to Safeguard Children National Statutory Guidance, The HSCP (Hampshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership) and the Hopscotch Safeguarding Policy and procedures.
  • Ensure that all staff understand their role in safeguarding all children. 
  • Promote the highest standards of quality within the nursery regarding the environment for the children, the resources and experiences offered.
  • Promote co-ordinate and support staff to ensure good partnership working with parents. Facilitate parent evenings, family days and all other forms of communication and parental involvement.
  • To lead reflective practice and develop a nursery specific development plan that is well communicated.
  • Identify development needs of the childcare team required to meet the nursery plan.
  • Work alongside the Early Years Lead to evaluate the quality of childcare provided, write, manage and review development plans for individual age groups and the nursery as a whole.  Identify areas for development and corrective actions.
  • Ensure that the nutritional needs of the children are met in line with company policies and procedures.
  • Develop best practice multi agency working including Area SENCO’s, advisory teachers, health professionals, Family Hubs and relevant Local Authority Departments.
  • In support of company policy and the EYFS ensure all staff follow key person procedures.
  • To ensure that all children are treated as individuals and that we are supporting this through our approach to planning in line with the EYFS. 
  • Ensure that children’s views are considered in decision making.
  • Remain knowledgeable and up to date with developments in the childcare and education sector.
  • To work in partnership to ensure standards are continuously being met in line with Ofsted requirements and the EYFS. 
  • As a management team, to oversee planning and children’s developmental records and ensure that they reflect their individual achievement and that next steps and are up to date. 
  • Ensure that settling-in and transitions are well managed for all children, ensuring they are communicated to parents, carers and colleagues. 
  • To lead on all aspects of inclusive practice, behaviour management and special educational needs within your team, liaising with the appropriate representatives. 
  • To lead on effective partnerships working with children, families and the wider community. Continuously looking at ways to build relationships with external agencies. 
  • Oversee an effective Key Person approach within the setting.
 
OPERATIONAL
  • Promote the nursery to current parents and prospective parents, oversee parent tours, monitor enquiries levels and new starters in line with financial forecasts.
  • Monitor and report on marketing campaigns. Review occupancy on a monthly basis, attending monthly occupancy meetings with Finance Director and head office team as required.
  • Facilitate inspections by regulatory bodies and implement any recommendations as a result.
  • Take, record and monitor new enquiries, ensuring information recorded appropriately and updated as required. Ensure that a management structure is in place at the setting to ensure the nursery can operate fully in the absence of the manager or deputy.
  • Deal with any parent/carer issues or concerns in a timely manner, escalating any issues to your Line Manager as necessary. 
  • Manage and control all maintenance needs to meet both company policy, health and safety requirements and relevant legislation.
  • Manage the nursery housekeeper to meet all company cleaning standards.
  • Ensure that staff are deployed effectively on a daily basis according to ratios and the needs of the nursery.
 
FINANCIAL
  • Assist in the preparation of annual sales forecasts and direct costs.
  • Understand, monitor and control costs in line with annual budgets.
  • Administer, monitor and maintain petty cash.
  • Ensure timely and accurate information is collected as requested by the finance department including but not limited to NEG information.
  • Prepare payroll information monthly meeting communicated deadlines.
  • Working alongside the Finance Manager to monitor staff costs with regard to income and budget projections.
  • Arrange for the collection of manual fees and support finance managing debtors.
  • Be responsible for the collection, recording and banking of fees.
  • Stock take of nursery consumables on a monthly basis and reorder of items as required meeting communicated deadlines.  Ensure stock levels are adequate to meet monthly requirement.
 
HEALTH and SAFETY
  • Undertake a responsibility for the health, safety and cleanliness throughout the nursery escalating to maintenance as required.
  • Adhere to all Health and Safety policies and procedures both statutory and company specific.
  • Ensure fire procedures are current, relevant and in line with statutory requirements and Hopscotch’s policy and procedures.
  • Be fully aware, manage and ensure new staff are inducted to all emergency and security procedures.
  • Oversee and maintain the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness in the bedding and nappy changing areas and food preparation areas.
  • Be responsible for first aid in the setting and ensure the nursery remains compliant in regard to suitably trained staff with relevant and up to date first aid qualifications.
  • Audit, evaluate and manage risk and ensure any actions identified in risk assessments are passed to the staff and implemented immediately in line with documented company policies and procedures.
 
PERSONNEL
  • In partnership with the HR Team, oversee both recruitment and ongoing staff suitability via supervision, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory Guidance -under Safer Recruitment and Hopscotch’s policies and procedures.
  • In partnership with the HR and Recruitment Team, ensure staff receive a thorough induction, probation and ongoing support and provide line management for all staff within the setting, in line with statutory requirements and company policies and procedures.
  • Ensure all staff understand their role in safeguarding all children through the practical application of both the company and local authority safeguarding policies. This includes ensuring they attend mandatory inhouse briefings, staff meetings and ongoing supervision. Maintain accurate and up to date staff records including supply staff forwarding all information to head office in a timely manner.
  • Ensure that all mandatory training required by each member of the childcare team including management is done and recorded with a date of completion.
  • Hold Co-ordinate / lead regular staff meetings and planning meeting to ensure updates and information are shared and staff can collectively share and feedback information. Ensure an agenda is set and minutes are recorded.
  • Hold regular staff PDP’s and supervisions to support ‘ongoing suitability’, support staff wellbeing and identify staff professional development needs and supporting with ongoing training either internally or externally.
  • Support in the delivery of inhouse training and support staff in the implementation where needed.
  • Attend monthly Managers Practice and Provision meetings to communicate and share good practice with other managers across the group.
  • Support and develop the childcare team to meet the needs of the children supporting their career growth opportunities within the childcare market.
  • Manage and audit the Absence Management Procedures.
  • Undertake or assist in Disciplinary and Grievance investigations and meetings with regards to staff team.
  • Be responsible for participating in self development activities including ongoing training and appraisals.
  • Support the annual awards ceremony supporting staff nominations.
 
ADMINISTRATION
  • Overall responsibility for all administrative duties associated with the management of the nursery and its premises.
  • Line manage the administrator ensuring all associated duties are completed efficiently and in line with Hopscotch policies and procedures.
  • Ensure all documents are filed and kept appropriately in line with GDPR.
  • Be responsible for monthly, quarterly and annual archiving processes in line with company policy and procedures.
  • Maintain accurate child information records and ensure current and up to date and stored securely and confidentiality.
  • Ensure all concerns regarding children or staff are shared appropriately and in a timely manor.
  • Manage and monitor the nursery waiting list following company policies and procedures.
  • Deal with child place enquiries and advise on the allocation of places.
  • Support the Nursery Manager ensuring all weekly/monthly returns are made to the appropriate departments e.g. Finance, Operations, Payroll.
  • Be fully conversant with the use of the Nursery System – Abacus and ensure that session attendance matches invoiced sessions.
 
Person Specification - Essential
  • Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, preferably a customer facing role 
  • Natural affinity to children  
  • Strong communication skills 
  • Ability to work well in a team and independently  
  • Reliable and trustworthy 
  • Able to build relationships with others  
  • Strong customer service skills 
  • Ability to work under pressure 
  • Caring nature and energetic 
  • Willing to learn and progress further in knowledge 
 
Person Specification - Desirable
  • Former experience working in a childcare environment e.g. day nursery/after school club/school 
  • Knowledge of OFSTED, EYFS and other relevant childcare policies and programs
  • Knowledge of safeguarding and the role of a DSL.