Temporary Nursery Manager

Salary: Grade 6 - £35,138 - £41,521 per annum (with future potential to progress through the discretionary points to £45,353). Salary is subject to qualifications and experience. 

Contract type: Temporary position – asap start to end by 30 September 2026.  The Nursery is closed for a 3-week period in August

Location: Balliol College Day Nursery, 2a Rawlinson Road, Oxford, OX2 6UE

Department: Nursery

Reports: to Chair of the Nursery Committee, Matthew Robinson

Responsible for: 6 x Nursery staff

Hours: 38.75 hours per week, Monday to Friday.  Normal working hours are 8:30am to 5:15pm.  Work outside of these hours will be required for monthly staff meetings, training and any extra office duties that must be completed, such as safeguarding or Ofsted duties. 

Holiday: 6 weeks (30 days), plus Bank Holidays, during a complete holiday year. As this is temporary contract, the holiday entitlement will be pro‑rated according to the length of the contract. The majority of the holiday is  taken during the Christmas, Easter and August Nursery closure periods.  The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.  

Notice period: 1 month on either side (during probation) 2 months on either side (after probation)

 

 

Balliol College

Situated in an historic site in central Oxford, Balliol has been a hub of learning and community since its foundation in 1263. As one of the larger colleges within the University of Oxford, it is home to roughly 860 students, with undergraduates making up just under half of the student body. The College also employs over 80 Fellows, 50 lecturers, and about 180 support staff, with Dame Helen Ghosh as its current Master. While academic excellence is at the core of Balliol’s mission, visitors are often struck by the College’s informal and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond its walls, Balliol has an active and engaged global community of over 8,000 alumni and donors. 

 

 

Purpose of the Post

Balliol Day Nursery is a small University College nursery, based in Rawlinson Road, North Oxford.  It is a warm, friendly and family orientated nursery providing excellent care to children aged 6 months to 4 years.  We are looking for a passionate and inspiring Manager to run the Nursery and lead a small, dedicated team, delivering outstanding care and education to 16 mixed-aged children.

 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong Nursery background, sound knowledge of the Early Years’ Foundation Stage and proven managerial experience to develop their career to the next stage.  It would particularly suit someone who is currently working as a Nursery Manager or Deputy manager and would like the experience of managing a mixed-aged College nursery and a small, dedicated staff team.   

 

 

Job duties and responsibilities:   

The main duties are included below.  This is not an exhaustive list and may be amended in line with college needs.

 

Leadership and management

· Understand the leadership tasks and responsibilities needed for a busy nursery with the ability to delegate where necessary.

· Ensure all Ofsted legislation, special needs, safeguarding and health and safety is complied with and that all setting policies and procedures are adhered to.

· Deal with any complaints or issues as they arise in a sensitive and professional manner and in accordance with the nursery’s policies and Ofsted requirements.

· Develop effective relationships with colleagues, parents and outside agencies.

· Work with outside professionals, attending and contributing to family meetings and/or child development appointments (sometimes away from the setting) where appropriate.

· Attend and contribute to work-related training, staff meetings and committee meetings.

· Write nursery policies and procedures as required and update these annually.

· Complete termly funding for all eligible children and ensure eligible future children are added to the funding system.

· Be responsible for the induction of new children and their families. Ensuring that parents feel happy and confident about leaving their child. Support key people to organise with parents the best way to settle their individual child. Ensure that all necessary information is collected on each child in accordance with Ofsted regulations, prior to the child being left in the setting.

· Order and purchase food for the nursery, keeping within the lunch fund budget and ensuring healthy and enjoyable meals for the children, in accordance with the Nursery’s food and drinks policy.

· Calculate and claim Milk rebates and keep all necessary receipts for the required period.

· Oversee recruitment processes for new employees, following the principles of safer recruitment, ensuring all recruitment checks are carried out appropriately and in a timely manner and that staff complete DBS checks and safeguarding training prior to starting.

· Be responsible for new staff induction, making sure that they are aware of nursery routines, policies, health and safety issues, fire procedures and the aims and ethos of the nursery. All paperwork is transferred to HR prior to them starting employment.

· Regularly update Staff declarations on suitability to work with children.

· Carry out and document Staff supervision meetings, annual appraisals and CPD. 

· Ensure that the correct number of staff with first Aid training are always on the premises during opening hours and that First Aid training is kept up to date.

· Ensure that all staff have up to date child protection and food hygiene training.  

 

Health and Safety

· Ensure a safe and healthy environment for the children and staff. Organise repair work with the Maintenance team, as needed.

· Be aware of and address any health and safety issues in accordance with the nursery and College's health and safety policies, whilst ensuring all staff follow correct health and safety procedures.

· Carry out risk assessments on all nursery equipment and activities and update these annually.

· Compile and update a COSHH register.

· Carry out checks on fire alarms and arrange fire practices in accordance with the nursery fire safety policy and keep records up to date.

· Ensure that all accidents and incidents are dealt with correctly and that procedures are followed by all staff. 

· Assess the condition of children who are unwell and arrange for their parents to collect them when necessary and ensure that the Sickness Policy is adhered to.

 

Childcare and development

· Must have a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage: planning for, recording, and assessing all aspects of a child’s learning for children 3 months to four years.

· Able to assess and reflect on children’s learning and development, by tracking children’s progress across all areas of the curriculum. 

· Plan and provide stimulating and play experiences to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive capabilities in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage.

· Promote good relationships with parents and carers, keeping them well informed about activities and nursery issues. 

· Have due regard to matters of confidentiality. Ensure that we fulfil our legal obligation to keep safe any personal or sensitive information which we hold about children and their families, in accordance with the nursery’s privacy notice and policies.

· Take a full and active role in all the nursery routines and rosters, taking full share of cleaning chores and other activities.

· Ensure and maintain an adequate supply of consumables such as cleaning equipment, soap and toilet rolls, and ensure all accounts are kept up to date.

· Organise the purchase of toys and equipment, ensuring that the nursery is well resourced and replacing or arranging repairs on existing toys and equipment where necessary.

· Maintain staff/child ratios and arrange supply cover as needed.  

· Answer all general email or telephone enquiries about the nursery.

· Cook lunches for the children in the absence of the nursery cook.

· Cover break periods and work directly with the children during this time.

· Organise events for parents to attend with their children throughout the year, such as Christmas plays and nursery outings.

· Provide for the children’s personal needs, with toileting and nappy changing, mealtimes and sleeping.

· Deal with minor injuries and provide initial first aid when needed.

 

Safeguarding

· Complete the Designated Safeguarding qualification (Level 3) and be the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the nursery.

· You must have a sound knowledge of child protection procedures, and a commitment to safeguarding children. 

· Make sure child protection and safeguarding is always promoted.  Report all concerns in accordance with the nursery’s Safeguarding and Whistle-blowing policies and procedures.

· Promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to challenge or report any discriminatory behaviour.

· We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.

· You must complete Safer recruitment training and refresher training, as appropriate.

· Deal with any complaints or issues as they arise in a sensitive and professional manner and in accordance with the nursery’s policies. Document any such complaints or issues as required by Ofsted and report them to the Nursery Committee and/or Ofsted as applicable.

 

Person Specification – skills and experience

Essential 

NVQ (or equivalent) Level 3 or above early years qualification. 

Paediatric first aid 12-hour training

Level 3 food safety (can complete asap after starting position)

An experienced nursery practitioner within a Preschool/Nursery setting

Previous managerial or leadership experience and the ability to inspire others

Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities

Able to demonstrate a love of working with young children and an ability to fully engage with them and motivate them on all levels

Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – with competent IT skills

The ability to communicate with all parents, committee members, College staff and external agencies

Ability to ensure all Ofsted legislation, special needs, safeguarding and health and safety is complied with and that all setting policies and procedures are adhered to.

 

Desirable

SENCO

OSCB Designated safeguarding training (Level 3) Any special areas or interest, such as Makaton, forest school skills etc

 

Employee Benefits

Travel: Interest-free ticket loans enabling the purchase of bus passes and annual rail season tickets to Oxford.  Discounted travel is available on some services.

Cycle to work scheme offering discounted rates on bicycles and accessories. 

Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice - eligibility criteria apply).

Healthcare Free flu jabs and eye tests for computer/VDU users

Free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool 

Preferential rates for other University sports facilities and the Nuffield Health gym on Woodstock Road.

Balliol nursery: A day-time nursery on Rawlinson Road, subject to availability.  Subsidised rates are available for Balliol staff.

 

 

Application procedure

Informal enquiries: Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should in the first instance contact the current Nursery Manager Dorina Kajtani dorina.kajtani@balliol.ox.ac.uk

 

 

Interviews: Candidates selected for interview will be notified as soon as possible.  

Right to Work Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).  

 

Equal Opportunities: Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants should let us know if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.  

 

Safeguarding: This role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including enhanced disclosure and barring system checks, overseas checks where necessary and two reference checks