Job Title: Nursery Manager
Contract: Permanent
Salary: NJC Scale Points 15 - 25depending on experience  (£33,987 - £39,276)
Hours/weeks: 35 hours per week (8.00am - 4.00pm) / 40 weeks (term time + 2 weeks)
Start Date: 1st September 2026
Closing date: 3rd June 2026

Nursery Manager – Upland’s Little Explorers

We are seeking an enthusiastic and caring Nursery Manager to lead our vibrant early years provision within our primary school setting.   Upland’s Little Explorers is a term-time only preschool that launched in September 2025.

Following the successful award of the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant funding and the expansion of our early years provision, we are excited to offer a unique opportunity for a Nursery Manager to join our team. This role presents an excellent opportunity for candidates who are looking to move into a school‑based environment and play a key role in developing an outstanding provision for our youngest learners.

At Upland’s Little Explorers, we are innovative, forward-thinking, and ambitious for excellence in early years education. Our brand new internal and external environment is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in every child.  

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the learning journey of our youngest children, aged 9 months to 3 years, in a nurturing and stimulating environment.

 About Us

Our nursery is part of a welcoming, community-focused primary school where every child is valued and encouraged to thrive. We pride ourselves on providing a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space where curiosity and creativity are celebrated.

Your Role

As Nursery Manager, you will:

• Lead and inspire a dedicated team of early years practitioners.
  
• Ensure the highest standards of care, learning, and safeguarding.
• Plan and deliver an engaging curriculum in line with the EYFS framework.
• Build strong relationships with children, families, and the wider school community.
• Manage day-to-day operations, including  staffing, rotas, ratios, budgets, and compliance.

 What We’re Looking For

• Level 3 (or above) Early Years qualification.
• Level 2 maths (GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent) or willingness to achieve within 2 years, in line with EYFS requirements.
• At least 2 years’ experience within an early years setting.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) trained (or willingness to undertake training).
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding, Ofsted requirements and child development.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage, support and develop staff effectively.
• A warm, positive, and professional approach.

·         For further information about Upland school, please visit www.upland.bexley.sch.uk

 Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.  For an informal discussion about the role please contact the school office on 0208 303 2175. 

Please download our application pack to find out more, click the ‘Apply Now’ button to send us your application. If you would prefer this advert and application in a different format, please contact the school office. This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. Appointment to this post will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, as well as any other relevant pre-employment checks.

We reserve the right to close this advert early, should a suitable applicant be found.