Nursery Manager

Nursery Manager for Culford Nursery

We are seeking a dynamic, proactive and inspiring Nursery Manager to lead our team and nurture children aged 9 months to 3 years. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape a thriving, ever-evolving early years environment.

Culford Nursery offers a truly unique, progressive environment where an ambitious leader can make a lasting impact. As the vital first chapter of the Culford School journey, you will lead a dedicated team of 12 childcare professionals caring for up to 12 babies and 28 toddlers. The space is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, featuring a self-contained baby suite upstairs with a separate sleeping room, and two vibrant rooms downstairs complemented by dedicated messy and quiet zones. Beyond your modern office space and comfortable staff room, you will have full use of Culford’s exceptional 480 acres of parkland, embedding rich specialist experiences like Forest School, music, dance, and French into the children's daily adventures. Supported by an incredibly collaborative, close-knit parent community with strong sibling ties, this role connects you to the wider school through integrated whole-school training and professional development events. It is a rare opportunity to step away from standard daycare management and champion early years excellence in a setting built for innovation, growth, and community

Applicants must hold an up-to-date and recognised childcare qualification, level 5 or above with proven leadership experience.

Early applications are encouraged as candidates will be reviewed regularly and the school reserve the right to interview and appoint before the closing date. the advert may close at any point

• Full-time role

• All year round role (potential of term time only by negotiation)

• Salary: according to experience £39,000 - £45,000

• Start date: ASAP / Negotiable

• Deadline for applications: Wednesday 30 September 09:00 (Long list interviews to take place shortly after)

• Enhanced holiday leave – 28 days per annum, plus 7 days bank holidays. May day is a working day

Culford is a boarding and day school for over 850 children aged 9 months to 18 years, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th-century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (9 months to 7 years) ); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18).

We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The list below is not exhaustive and assumes that from time to time other tasks not listed, may be required to ensure the efficient operation of the school.

• Leading and inspiring a team of Early Years Practitioners, promoting consistently high standards of quality and care within the nursery.

• Implementing and developing an age-appropriate curriculum to ensure that every child develops within a stimulating environment

• Possessing a thorough knowledge of OFSTED and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and effectively implementing these requirements

• Implement all safeguarding and health and safety policies and procedures

• Maintaining and enhancing excellent parent partnerships of existing and prospective parents

• Confident leadership skills with the ability to communicate and motivate staff to meet and exceed levels of excellence

• To be Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Taking an active role within the Pre-Prep and Nursery Senior Management Team

Skills and personal qualities

• Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of an independent school.

• A good standard of written, spoken and listening skills.

• Excellent organisational skills

• A high level of flexibility, a ‘can do’ attitude, and an openness to new ideas and practices.

• Dynamic and approachable, able to put people at ease, reassure, guide, and explain.

• Ability to confidently and effectively work alongside children, staff and parents.

• Understanding the age-appropriate needs and concerns of young children and having natural empathy with them.

• Innovative, hard-working, driven and determined.

• Resilient with a good sense of humour.

• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Benefits

• Free lunch

• Continuing Professional Development and networking opportunities

• Enhanced pension contributions

• May Day is a working day

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to Health Cash Plan after 6 months’ service

• Group Life Insurance after 6 months service

• Membership of the Culford Sports and Tennis Centre

Completed Culford application form and letter addressed to Victoria Steers, Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery to be returned to the HR at Culford School. The Culford Application form can be found on the Work for Us page on

Safeguarding

Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.

Flexibility and Variation:

This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation.

As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School.

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If you are shortlisted you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website. Nacro - https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or phone 0300 123 1999