Job Information Pack Nursery Manager
Welcome to Birkdale
Thank you for your interest in this role at Birkdale School. I hope this information pack provides you with everything you need to know about the vacancy, our school, and why we are proud to be a family where everyone is stronger together.
Birkdale is a special place for boys and girls aged 4 to 18, from our Prep School through to the Sixth Form. Our pupils learn and play alongside each other, supported by outstanding, passionate teachers and staff. We are dedicated to developing every individual's potential while achieving the best possible academic results.
We are a welcoming, happy, and aspirational environment, featuring small classes and expert teaching. This approach allows our pupils to learn effectively and achieve highly; typically, around two-thirds of all GCSE grades achieved are between grades 7 to 9.
We also offer a large number of extra-curricular activities in sport, music, drama, and other pastimes that enrich our students’ lives and help them develop new skills.
Our high expectations, huge breadth of activity, and outstanding pastoral care are all rooted in our strong Christian ethos, which characterises the education we offer.
I look forward to potentially welcoming you to Birkdale soon
With best wishes,
Ben Bowles Head, Birkdale School
Nursery Manager
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Nursery Manager to lead a beautiful new nursery setting located in Sheffield next to the Botanical Gardens. This is an exciting time to join our new Nursery provision and be instrumental in its development at the beginning of its journey. In January 2027, Birkdale School will open a Day Nursery which will be located within the Pre-Prep, Belmayne building of Birkdale School, in a specially refurbished area with access to extensive facilities.
The nursery will be open from 7:45am to 6:00pm and cater for children aged 2 years to 4 years; it will be open 50 weeks of the year. The Nursery will be closed for the final week of August, (the week which incorporates the bank holiday Monday) and from Christmas Eve at 12.30pm until January 2nd, (or the next working day).
The ethos of Birkdale Nursery aligns with that of Birkdale School, however, whilst welcome to, there is no obligation that children will transfer into Birkdale school.
As the Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing all the daily operations of the nursery, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children. This role requires strong leadership skills and a commitment to early childhood education, as well as the ability to effectively manage staff and communicate with parents.
Key Responsibilities
• To be responsible for the daily operation of the Nursery, the Nursery Policies and Procedures and ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements.
• To lead the Nursery team ensuring that all children are kept safe and receive rich and stimulating play and learning experiences appropriate to their age and stage of development.
• To be responsible for the preparation and updating of all Nursery policies, ensuring they align with all relevant standards, legislation and best practice.
• To ensure that all of the Nursery Health and Safety policies and procedures are put into practice including allergy management, risk assessments and child medication policies etc.
• Responsible for driving a robust safeguarding culture across the Nursery, ensuring that safeguarding procedures are actively embedded in all aspects of daily practice.
• To prepare for and lead the nursery team during inspections by the relevant regulatory bodies and to implement any recommendations.
• Responsible for the planning, delivery, and continuous development of a broad, balanced, and ambitious EYFS curriculum, including the 2-year-old provision, in collaboration with the EY Lead.
• Monitor children’s progress, development and welfare, ensuring accurate assessment, high-quality reporting and timely intervention, including for children with SEND.
Oversee and review Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Early Support programmes and inclusive provision in partnership with the SENDCo and external professionals.
Key Responsibilities cont’d
• To induct, support and mentor new staff, carry out staff supervision meetings, conduct regular staff assessments, recognising training needs, monitoring training and developing teamwork.
• To lead, manage and inspire a team successfully together with good interpersonal skills.
• To have extensive knowledge of safeguarding which is embedded in all aspects of the Nursery setting.
• To have excellent understanding of EYFS and ensure this adhered to in all aspects of the Nursery setting
• To have a sound knowledge of child protection procedures and lead the staff in such matters as the DSL of the Nursery setting.
• Contribute to the strategic development and continuous improvement of the nursery in line with the school’s vision and priorities.
• A customer service approach, being willing to go above and beyond for families, and developing strong processes of communication for all staff to follow.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to ensure that all children are cared for safely.
To help to lead the nursery marketing strategy including the planning and delivery of a strong marketing plan, the implementation of interesting marketing and retention events and the successful conversion of enquiries.
• Lead admissions, settling-in and transition arrangements, ensuring children and families are fully supported at each stage.
• The ability to plan and organise staff rotas and staff holidays, to ensure staff to child ratios are always safely maintained and compliant.
Effectively manage the nursery budget, including ensuring that income targets are met, budgeted staff and other costs are not exceeded. Maintain accurate records for billing parents & attendance records for all nursery children.
• Ensure all children receive high-quality care and education, promoting their development and wellbeing.
Ensure accurate record keeping, reporting and compliance with Ofsted and Nursery policies.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as directed by the Headteacher.
Job Information Pack
Nursery Manager
Person Specification
Essential:
• Proven experience working in a nursery setting, with experience in a supervisory or leadership role for a minimum of two/ three years.
• A minimum of Level 3 (or above) early years qualification or equivalent.
GCSE Maths and English grade 4 or above (or Level 2 equivalent in functional skills).
Strong knowledge of safeguarding, early years frameworks and Ofsted requirements.
Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to inclusive practice, emotional intelligence and promoting child-led learning.
• Ability to manage budgets, staffing and operational duties efficiently, including ensuring that income targets are met, and budgeted staff and other costs are not exceeded.
• Able to contribute to the nursery marketing strategy including the planning and delivery of a strong marketing plan, the implementation of interesting marketing and retention events and the successful conversion of enquiries.
• The role has an occupational requirement for the successful candidate to be a committed Christian who subscribes to the statement of belief on our website.
Desirable:
Level 5/Managerial qualification.
Valid paediatric first aid certificate, (or willingness to obtain it)
Birkdale is a very successful independent day school located in Sheffield for children aged from 4 to 18, amounting altogether to 720+ pupils.
Birkdale is located on three sites in south-west Sheffield, the 11-18 (Y7 to Y13) Senior School, the 4-11 (Reception to Y6) Prep School and the playing fields at Castle Dyke.
Birkdale is the only HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference) school in South Yorkshire and the Head is also a member of the Society of Heads. The Head of the Preparatory School is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools).
The Christian ethos of the school manifests itself in the particularly friendly and supportive atmosphere. A good proportion of the staff are committed Christians, although as a community Birkdale is open to all, whatever their beliefs.
Having started going co-educational in 2020, this is now the next step in the development of Birkdale School expanding our connection to our families, and sharing our commitment to children’s learning and well-being to their early years.
This is an exciting time to join our school.
Hours of work are 37.5 hours per week, between 07:30am and 6:00pm Monday – Friday, for 50 weeks of the year. The Nursery will be closed for the final week of August, (the week which incorporates the bank holiday Monday) and from Christmas Eve at 12.30pm until January 2nd, (or the next working day).
Paid Annual Leave is 25 days plus 8 Bank Holidays and Christmas shutdown, a total of 35 days per annum.
The salary will be between £38,000 and £40,000 per annum and will depend on experience and qualifications.
Pension: Birkdale offers an attractive private salary sacrifice pension scheme APTIS with Aviva which is open to all staff with a 6% employer contribution.
Sick pay: The company sick pay scheme provides ex-gratia sick pay at the full rate for up to 3 months in any 12 months, with 50% income protection for extended sickness.
Additional Benefits: Death in service and access to additional wellbeing and health support including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments, Unlimited mental health support, Physiotherapy, Personal training, Nutrition consultations and more.
During term time, lunch is provided to staff on site.
Car parking is available on site.
Job Information Pack
How To Apply
Please submit:
A cover letter addressed to Jackie McDermott, Head of Prep School, no more than one side of A4 explaining why you are interested in the role, and the skills and experiences you can bring to it (minimum font size of 11)
A completed Birkdale School application form which includes the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of two referees. This can be found on our website >>
Recruitment timetable:
Closing date for applications – 3 August 2026 at 9.am.
Interviews – W/c 17th August 2026, allowance can be made for those who will be away.
Email your application to: Jackie McDermott, Head at recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk by the closing date.
For an informal discussion regarding the role please do not hesitate to contact the above email address with any questions you may have. Applicants who do not provide a Covering Letter and Application Form, as stipulated, will unfortunately not be considered. If you have any difficulties in providing this, please do not hesitate to contact the HR team at Recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk
Pre-Employment Checks
Birkdale School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people.
All applicants must be willing to undergo the relevant pre-employment checks relevant to the role.
Current legislation applying to this post includes the The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2008 and the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996. Therefore, the successful candidate will be required to prove their eligibility to work in the UK and undergo appropriate criminal record checks, including an application for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Details of the documentation etc needed in connection with all the above requirements will be sent to the shortlisted candidates. Prior to taking up appointment, we will then request a declaration about medical fitness, and proof of qualifications from the successful candidate.
Under the guidance set by KCSIE Birkdale School will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates.
Equal Opportunities
At Birkdale School, we strive to create a supportive and nurturing environment for all individuals.
We are dedicated to promoting equality and diversity, providing a level playing field for all of our staff and pupils. We aim to foster an inclusive culture, where diversity is celebrated and where everyone feels empowered, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. If you meet most of the criteria but are unsure whether to apply, we encourage you to reach out - we value potential and a willingness to grow.