Nursery Manager

Candidate Brief
Nursery Manager

FULL-TIME, PERMANENT
START JUNE 2026

Rydes Hill offers outstanding education

and pastoral care for children aged 2 to

7, combining academic ambition with a

nurturing, family-focused environment. We

believe that happy children thrive, and our

warm, inclusive atmosphere ensures every

child feels valued and part of the Rydes Hill

family.

Our highly qualified teachers are dedicated

to helping each child grow into a caring,

confident, and capable learner. With a strong

emphasis on personal development and

academic excellence, we lay the foundations

for future success and inspire a lifelong love

of learning in every child.

Following the recent announcement of the

merger between Rydes Hill and Tormead, we

are pleased to announce that Rydes Hill Prep

School will become fully co-educational in

Year 3 from September 2027, followed by Year

4 in September 2028. This move is part of a

phased plan to make Rydes Hill Prep School

fully co-educational by September 2030.

Part of the Tormead family, Rydes Hill Pre-Prep and
Nursery is a nurturing, home-from-home school where
children are carefully guided through each stage of
their early development, supported to flourish both
academically and personally. At the heart of learning
at Rydes Hill are the Five Cs: Courage, Collaboration,
Communication, Creativity, and Curiosity. These values
are embedded in every lesson, equipping children with
essential life skills that extend far beyond the classroom
and into adulthood. Teachers carefully capture children’s
interests and imagination, fostering confidence,
independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

From September 2026, we are excited to be building upon
the success of our current nursery classes by extending
our provision to welcome babies from 6 months. We
inspire imaginations, creating and nurturing capable,
curious learners, preparing each child for a positive and
happy transition to the next stage of their school journey.

The Nursery operates for 48 weeks per year, from 7.30am
to 6.00pm, in a bright, spacious, and inspirational learning
environment with dedicated outside areas. The Nursery
Manager role is an exciting opportunity to shape the
next stage of our School’s growth, as well as the care and
education we provide in our nurturing, family-focused
nursery.

As Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for the
smooth, effective and compliant day-to-day running
of the Nursery to deliver the highest standards of care,
education and parental engagement. You will provide
professional leadership and management, ensuring
the Nursery has a strong, reliable and consistent team
working to their full potential. The Nursery Manager acts
as a key link between parents, Senior Management Team
(SMT), Local Authority and external agencies.

Candidates will have a genuine love and passion for
early years education, creating a sense of fun, joy and
creativity for the children, ensuring a warm, happy home-
from-home environment for our youngest learners. Your
extensive knowledge, application and delivery of the EYFS
and of high-quality early years practice will ensure that
every child has the ability to flourish.

Candidates will have a minimum of two years’
management experience in a good or outstanding nursery
and childcare setting and will hold a Level 3 Early Years
qualification or above. We are seeking a team player
with proven experience of managing, motivating and
developing outstanding teams of nursery professionals.
Your excellent communication and customer service skills
will underpin your daily practice with both the Nursery
and wider school community.

This is a full-time position, all year round, working from
7.15am to 6.15pm on a rotational basis. We offer a friendly
and inclusive working environment, and our benefits
package includes a competitive salary, 30 days’ annual
leave plus bank holidays, professional development
opportunities, and free lunch when Nursery is in session.

For an informal discussion or tour of Rydes Hill, please
contact Faye Messinger, Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery
RHheadPA@rydeshill.org.uk or call 01483 563160.
For further information and to apply for the role, please
contact the HR Team recruitment@tormeadschool.org.
uk or visit our website: www.rydeshill.com.

The closing date for applications is Monday 23
February 2026 at 9.00am. However, applications will be
considered in the order in which they are received, and
the School reserves the right to make an appointment
prior to the closing date should the ideal candidate(s) be
identified.

Required for June 2026

Full-time, 52 weeks per year

Salary: £45,000
(negotiable for an exceptional candidate)

Nursery Manager

Job Summary

To be responsible for the smooth, effective and compliant
day-to-day running of the Nursery to deliver the highest
standards of care, education and parental engagement.
To provide professional leadership and management,
ensuring the Nursery has a strong, reliable and consistent
team working to their full potential. To act as a key link
between parents, Senior Management Team (SMT), Local
Authority and external agencies.

Main Responsibilities

Childcare and Education:

n  Promote high standards of quality within the Nursery

in respect of the environment, resources and
experiences offered to the children.

n  Ensure that all children attending the Nursery receive
rich and stimulating experiences appropriate to their
age and stage of development.

n  Responsible for pastoral care and safeguarding within
the Nursery to ensure the wellbeing, safety, security
and care of the children.

n  Hold the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
within the Nursery (appropriate training provided),
reporting to the Lead DSL.

n  All staff have responsibility for safeguarding the children
with regular training and updates when required. The
post holder is responsible for ensuring that Nursery staff
understand and follow safeguarding procedures.

n  Ensure that practices and provision in the Nursery

meet all compliance requirements in accordance with
the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted
and that the Nursery is inspection ready.

n  Ensure all aspects of the EYFS curriculum is planned

and delivered to a very high standard.

n  Oversee key worker responsibilities of the Nursery

staff and hold regular supervisions.

n  Create and maintain a culture of reflective practice

throughout the Nursery.

n  Liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them
about the Nursery and its curriculum, exchanging
information about children’s progress and
encouraging their involvement.

n  Support the development of good practice in relation
to additional educational needs and inclusion. Liaise
with the Director of Studies and Nursery SEND Lead
in implementing any support plans for children with
additional needs.

n  Administering first aid, when required, and
maintaining appropriate records of first aid.

n  Ensuring food hygiene and safety in the Nursery,
working closely with our catering providers.

Leadership and Management:

n  Support the Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery to develop
a strategic plan for the new Nursery, including staff
structure and role allocation.

n  Contribute to the strategic planning, monitoring and

development of the Nursery.

n  Take an active role in ensuring the realisation of the

School Development Plan.

n  Recruit, induct, support and appraise Nursery staff to

deliver high quality childcare practice.

n  Lead and develop a well-qualified and experienced
team able to meet and exceed all relevant standards.

n

Identify training needs and facilitate training
opportunities for Nursery staff.

n  Deploy Nursery staff effectively, including

n  Answer queries about enrolment, payments, sessions

responsibility for the organisation of staffing
schedules and timetables, duty rotas, breaks, sickness
and absence cover, ensuring adequate staffing levels/
ratios are maintained.

and general Nursery practices.

n  Responsible for new admissions including organising

‘settling in’ and home visits.

n  Responsible for the supervision and work of
staff within the Nursery, including effective
implementation of the key worker system.

n  Creating, contributing to and implementing key

policies in the Nursery.

n  Liaising with Local Authority and other professional

bodies associated with the Nursery.

n  Provide leadership and support to Nursery staff to

enable them to establish and maintain professional
positive working relationships with colleagues,
parents and carers.

n  Ensure all Nursery staff understand and work to

School policies and procedures, including how to
deal with safeguarding issues appropriately and how
to respond to incidents, accidents, complaints and
emergencies.

Administration

n  Work closely with senior leaders and the Finance

team to support budgeting, funding and occupancy
planning.

n  Ensure accuracy of booked sessions for fee billing,

working closely with the Finance team.

n  Manage Nursery administration, MIS systems and

parental communication platforms.

n  Be financially aware of staff and resources costs

and oversee the maintenance and control of stocks
and materials, including ordering equipment and
maintaining stock levels.

n  Managing the Nursery consumables/equipment

budget to include submission of annual budget bid
and ongoing monitoring of expenditure, working
closely with the Finance team.

n  Responsible for ensuring any complaints/concerns

Continuing Professional Development

are resolved in a timely manner.

n  Act as the first point of contact for any Nursery staff
performance, grievance and disciplinary procedures
with support from Human Resources and the Head of
Pre-Prep and Nursery.

Admissions and Marketing

n  Play a key role in proactively promoting and

representing the Nursery to prospective parents,
working closely with the Marketing and Admissions
team.

n  Promote Nursery events to engage the local

community e.g. Toddler Time sessions and other
initiatives.

n  Reappraising own professional performance, keeping
informed of current legislation and best practice.

n  Be committed to improving own practice through

appropriate training and development.

n  Engage actively in the performance review process.

General

n  Work within the School’s Health and Safety Policy to
manage the day-to-day operation to ensure a safe
environment for the children, their parents and carers,
the Nursery team, and any visitors to the Nursery.

n  Adhere to all School policies, ensuring that policies

and procedures are fully implemented in the Nursery.

n  Monitor the condition of the equipment and liaise
with the Estates team regarding any maintenance
requirements and issues.

n  To promote and uphold the ethos and values of

Tormead Limited.

n  To adhere to all School policies, procedures and risk

n  Assisting with supervision and covering for absent

assessments.

colleagues when required.

n  Maintain high professional standards of attendance,
punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive,
courteous relationships with children, parents/carers
and colleagues.

n  Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.

n  Participating in INSETs, staff meetings, attending
assemblies and additional School functions as
required.

n  Actively promote and model good practice in equality,
diversity, and inclusion, and to support and uphold
fundamental British values.

The responsibilities linked to this position are wide-
ranging and the duties listed above in this job description
are not intended to be exhaustive. It will be necessary to
perform other such duties as are reasonably required.

Key Relationships

Internal: Head of Pre-Prep & Nursery, Nursery staff,
Marketing & Admissions Team, Finance Team, Director of
Studies, HR Team, colleagues, parents.

External: Prospective parents.

Key and Desirable Skills

ESSENTIAL

n  Level 3 (or equivalent) in Childcare

n  Paediatric First Aid qualification

n  GCSE in Maths and English at Level 4 or equivalent

n  Evidence of continuing and relevant professional

development

n  Management experience (minimum 2 years) in a good

or outstanding nursery and childcare setting

n  Extensive knowledge, application and delivery of the

EYFS and of high-quality early years practice, including
statutory requirements

n  Excellent knowledge of how to provide effectively for

the needs of all children

n  Knowledge and commitment to child protection, health
and safety, equal opportunities and SEND/ inclusion

n  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
with an ability to adapt communication styles and
approaches with differing groups/ individuals

n  Experience of managing, motivating and developing an

n  Excellent ICT and administration skills

effective team

n  Strong customer service skills with an empathetic

n  A genuine love and passion for working within early

approach

years, creating a sense of joy, fun and creativity for the
children in their Nursery setting

n  An enthusiastic and proactive leader

n  A commitment to team working and supporting

colleagues in working together to ensure continuous
improvement and the delivery of high levels of learning
outcomes for all children

n  Ability to think critically and make decisions

n  High levels of tact and diplomacy

DESIRABLE

n  Degree in Early Childhood Education

n  Educated to A Level or equivalent

n  Designated Safeguarding Lead experience

n  Budget management and admissions experience

n  Experience of preparing for Ofsted and/or ISI

inspections

n  An understanding of the independent education

sector

n  Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to
inform decisions and demonstrate impact

Safeguarding Children

The postholder is responsible for promoting and
safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons
with whom they come into contact, and to adhere to and
ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Policy
at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties,

the postholder becomes aware of any actual or potential
risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School,
they must report any concerns to one of the school’s
Designated Safeguarding Leads in accordance with the
School’s policies and procedures.

Benefits
Our benefits package includes a salary of circa £45,000 (negotiable for an exceptional
candidate), 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, professional development
opportunities, a contributory pension scheme, free lunches and refreshments when
school is in session and use of the gym and sports facilities at Tormead School.
Applications
Visits to the School and Nursery are warmly welcomed so that you can experience the
atmosphere and values of our setting first-hand. For more information and to apply for
the role, please contact our HR team Recruitment@tormeadschool.org.uk or visit our
website www.rydeshill.com.

Deadline for applications
The closing date for applications is Monday 23 February 2026 at 9.00am.
However, applications will be considered in the order in which they are received,
and the School reserves the right to make an appointment prior to the closing date
should the ideal candidate(s) be identified.

Rydes Hill School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and
applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past
employers and an enhanced DBS check.