Job Description
Early Years (Nursery) Centre Manager
May 2025 – May 2026 Fixed Term Contract to cover Maternity
Salary
(£34,000 to £36,000 dependent on experience)
Would you like to work as part of a friendly community, in beautiful surroundings, with 76 acres to explore? Our children are explorers and adventurers, warm and vibrant! We can guarantee no two days will ever be the same...
We are seeking to recruit a dynamic Early Years Centre Manager who has an interest in outdoor learning to cover for our existing Early Years Centre Manager while she is on maternity leave. As part of the Sherfield Early Years Team you will nurture and encourage the creativity, independence and resilience of our children, both indoors and out. You will join a kind, caring team who put the children in our care first.
The Early Years Centre (Nursery) is open from 7.30am until 6.00pm. This is a fixed term post for one year, working Monday to Friday, 48 weeks per year. We offer a competitive salary and a fantastic working environment including free meals and parking when working.
To apply, please send your covering letter and Sherfield application form to Caroline Taylor, Head of School, emailing: hmpa@sherfieldschool.co.uk. If you would like an informal discussion or visit, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Closing Date for Applications: Midday, Tuesday 18th March. Interviews to take place Monday 31st March 2025. Please note that we reserve the right to interview and appoint exceptional candidates prior to the closing date. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged.
Sherfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across the school. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant pre-employment checks, including checks with past employers.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
* To continue to develop Sherfield Early Years as a centre of excellence fostering an environment in which the children are encouraged in their all-round development and where high standards of care are provided.
* To oversee planning, delivery and assessment ensuring activities are suitable for the age range of the children, following EYFS curriculum and Engaging Learning Document with the Head of Prep and EYFS.
* To ensure room leaders are providing the appropriate continuous provision in line with the EYFS Framework and Engaging Learning Document.
* To lead, mentor and support the EYFS team promoting a positive working environment and demonstrating reliability, initiative and creativity.
* Oversee the daily operations of the Sherfield Early Years, ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements and standards, specifically the most recent ISI and OFSTED regulations, standards and frameworks.
* To guide and support room leaders to produce high quality displays and create a stimulating and attractive environment.
* To build a positive relationship with parents/carers including keeping a liaison book for each child.
* To attend a weekly Line Manager meeting with the Head of Prep and EYFS.
* To manage resources ensuring that they are ready and available for continuous provision
* To manage the cleaners and hold them accountable in order to ensure that the Early Years Centre is clean, tidy and ready for use at the start of each session.
* Ensure that the kitchen and food hygiene meets legal requirements, following guidelines from the Food Standards Agency.
* To manage the budget appropriately with the assistance of the Head of Prep and EYFS.
* To advise the Head of Prep and EYFS of any matter requiring attention.
* To attend briefings, staff meetings/parental consultations/school events as required.
* To promote the good work of the school in the wider community.
* To attend INSET days as specified and participate in professional development and performance review procedures.
* To support the education and welfare of pupils, in accordance with the requirements of the Terms and Conditions (Contract), the Employee Handbook, aims and policies.
* To ensure policies and procedure are followed in line with Sherfield School, ISI and Ofsted requirements
* Manage the full recruitment cycle, from identifying staffing needs and creating job descriptions to interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new team members along with the Head of Prep and EYFS
* Weekly meetings with the Admissions team
* To support any reasonable request by the leadership team.
Skills/Abilities/Personal Qualities
The following attributes are required of the post holder:
* a clear understanding of and commitment to the high level of quality assurance;
* thorough knowledge and understanding of child development 0-5 and requirements of the EYFS;
* experience of a range of strategies to ensure high standards throughout the setting, including the outdoor environment;
* ability to develop a positive environment demonstrating reliability, resilience, initiative and creativity; an ability to organise shifts and delegate tasks to staff
* good oral, written and ICT communication skills with excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise, plan, adapt and meet deadlines;
* excellent interpersonal skills including a willingness to accept positive criticism; the ability to listen to and empathise with others; sensitivity and discretion;
* high standards of commitment, motivation, energy and enthusiasm; high standards of personal dress and personal conduct;
* an awareness of when to seek advice and support.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The following personal attributes are required:
* a clear understanding of and commitment to the high level of quality assurance which drives every aspect of the school;
* good oral, written and ICT communication skills;
* excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise, plan, adapt and meet deadlines;
* excellent interpersonal skills including a willingness to accept positive criticism; the ability to listen to and empathise with others; sensitivity and discretion;
* high levels of commitment, motivation, energy and enthusiasm;
* the ability to think creatively and to solve problems;
* an awareness of when to seek advice and support.
* a love of outdoor learning in all weathers.