Squirrels Nursery Manager

Northbourne Park School

Job Description

This job description is intended as a guide to the core aspects of the role; it may be reviewed at any time by the

Headteacher in liaison with the Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery manager, and as the role develops over time.

Job Title:

Squirrels Nursery Manager

Department:

Pre-Prep

Reporting to:

Head of Pre-Prep, Headteacher

Purpose

The Nursery Manager will lead the Squirrels Nursery, which forms part of Northbourne Park School’s Pre-Prep

(ages 2–7). The role ensures an exceptional, nurturing, and developmentally rich environment aligned with the

school’s outdoor education ethos, strong pastoral care, and high academic expectations.

Northbourne Park is known for its rural setting, extensive outdoor learning areas, Forest School, small group

sizes, and a commitment to developing confident, creative and free‑thinking learners.

The Nursery Manager will be responsible for delivering outstanding Early Years practice in line with the Early

Years Statutory Framework and within the school’s values, ensuring readiness for ISI inspections.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Management

•  Lead the Squirrels Nursery provision, ensuring consistent high-quality early years education and

care.

•  Manage staffing, rotas, and ratios within the 48‑week operational model while coordinating with

the term-time Pre‑Prep structure.

•  Work closely with the Head of Pre‑Prep and wider Senior Leadership Team to maintain alignment

with the school’s philosophy and curriculum pathways.

•  Promote the school’s ethos of outdoor learning, child-centred exploration, and early development

of independence.

•  Support recruitment, onboarding, appraisals, and ongoing professional development.

2. Safeguarding & Welfare

•  Serve as DSL/Deputy DSL for the Nursery.
•  Ensure exemplary safeguarding practices consistent with KCSIE, ISI expectations, and

Northbourne Park policies.

•  Maintain accurate child protection, incident, and wellbeing documentation.
•  Oversee behaviour, routines, intimate care, and pastoral support in line with the school’s

nurturing environment.

3. Curriculum & Learning

Lead delivery of the EYFS curriculum, ensuring it reflects:

•  an appropriately broad, inspiring, rigorous and differentiated EYFS curriculum for every pupil,

ensuring that the EYFS learning and development requirements are met.

•  appropriate ongoing assessment of children which informs practice, in line with the school’s

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policies.
the school’s emphasis on outdoor education, including daily outdoor access and weekly Forest
School led by a specialist teacher.
small group teaching and high staff-child ratios.
specialist sessions such as Music, PE, and French with subject teachers from Pre‑Prep/Prep .
the development of early literacy and numeracy, creative learning, and structured play.
continuity and smooth transition into Reception and the Pre‑Prep programme.
inclusion for all children, identifying and supporting the needs of SEND pupils in liaison with the
SENCo.

4. ISI & Regulatory Compliance

•  Maintain full compliance with EYFS statutory requirements and ISI inspection standards for Early

Years.

•  Keep all policies, risk assessments, and documentation inspection-ready at all times.
•  Ensure the environment, routines, and curriculum meet ISI’s expectations for:

o  children’s personal development
o  quality of teaching and learning
o  pastoral care and wellbeing
o  safeguarding and compliance

5. Parent & Community Engagement

•  Foster warm, professional partnerships with parents, in keeping with Northbourne Park’s close-

knit school community.

•  Oversee admissions processes for the Nursery, working with the school office and Headteacher as

required.

•  Lead parent communication, Tapestry updates (Learning Journeys), and transition meetings.
•  Support School Open Days, Stay & Play sessions, and community events.

6. Operational & Administrative Duties

•  Oversee day‑to‑day nursery operations, ensuring routines run smoothly from 8:00 to 18:00 as

appropriate.

•  Manage resources, budgets, and procurement in line with school systems.
•  Ensure high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and presentation across classrooms, gardens,

and outdoor spaces.

•  Coordinate with catering to uphold the school’s commitment to healthy, nutritious meals and

snacks prepared onsite.

7. Health, Safety & Environment

•  Ensure the nursery environment—classrooms, gardens, woodland areas—is safe, engaging, and

aligned with the school’s “outdoor school” philosophy.

•  Lead risk assessments, first aid compliance, and health & safety protocols.
•  Promote Nature-based learning, exploration, and safe physical activity.

Person Specification

Essential

•  Level 3+ Early Years qualification (Level 5/6 preferred).
•  GCSE Maths and English.
•  Demonstrated passion for outdoor learning, child-led exploration, and creative teaching.
•  Confidence working within an environment offering Forest School, Music, French, and enrichment

taught by specialists.

•  Excellent understanding of EYFS and safeguarding (KCSIE).

Desirable

•  Qualified Teacher Status or EYTS
•  Strong leadership experience in EYFS, ideally within an independent or school-based setting.
•  Understanding of ISI/Ofsted inspection requirements
•  Paediatric First Aid
•  Experience of admissions, parent relations, or marketing within an independent school.

Safeguarding

Northbourne Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Candidates

will be required to complete an application form and produce original documentation of certificates and

degree qualifications. An enhanced DBS clearance check will be undertaken for the successful candidate.

All staff members at the School are expected to fulfil their obligations and responsibilities in safeguarding

and promoting the welfare of children.

Updated March 2026