Nursery Manager - Little Peanuts Day Nursery and Forest School

We're looking for a Nursery Manager with Quality and Operations Focus.

This is a Senior Leadership Role with Safeguarding, Quality Improvement and Daily Nursery Oversight.

At Little Peanuts, we believe early childhood is not simply preparation for school, it is a crucial stage of life in its own right.

We are seeking an exceptional, passionate and highly organised manager to join our senior leadership team in a role that combines strategic leadership with strong day-to-day operational oversight.

This is an opportunity for an experienced early years professional who thrives on maintaining exceptionally high standards, leading colleagues with warmth and clarity, and ensuring that every aspect of nursery life runs smoothly, safely and purposefully.

Our children deserve an environment where they feel secure, listened to, inspired and deeply cared for. Our staff deserve a leader who will support, mentor and challenge them to deliver their very best every single day.

About the Role

This role has 2 equally important dimensions:

1. Strategic Leadership and Quality Improvement:

You will work closely with the nursery director to drive continuous improvement, safeguard quality and support the professional growth of the whole nursery team.

This includes:

• acting as one of the nursery’s Designated Safeguarding Leads, investigating concerns and liaising with external agencies where appropriate
• leading on Health and Safety and Fire Safety compliance
• overseeing staff training reviews and professional development pathways
• conducting staff supervisions, mentoring and coaching
• supporting and monitoring children’s room transitions
• leading quality improvement processes, including observations, room evaluations and action planning
• overseeing family communication standards
• delivering team teaching and modelling best practice
• ensuring nursery policies and safeguarding procedures are fully embedded and consistently followed

2. Day-to-Day Nursery Operations:

Alongside strategic leadership, you will be highly visible in the daily life of the nursery, ensuring smooth operations, strong organisation and excellent standards across every room.

This includes responsibility for ensuring:

• the Little Peanuts curriculum is consistently embedded in daily practice
• a warm, nurturing and emotionally secure environment is maintained for both children and colleagues
• Forest School sessions are delivered consistently and meaningfully
• outstanding interactions are modelled and replicated by the team
• staff effectively extend children’s play, learning and communication
• all child development paperwork is accurate, complete and up to date
• staff are effectively deployed
• staff cover is organised for operational demands
• rooms remain safe and well maintained throughout the day
• action is taken in the moment to address falling standards
• daily routines run calmly, purposefully and in line with Little Peanuts expectations

This is not a desk-only management role. We are looking for a leader who is fully prepared to step into rooms, coach staff, notice the details, solve problems quickly and maintain momentum across the nursery.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking someone who:

• is an experienced Early Years leader (Deputy Manager, Room Leader, Third in Charge or Manager level)
• holds a full and relevant Level 3 qualification or above in Early Years
• has excellent knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted expectations
• will be confident in supporting an Ofsted inspection
• has experience as a DSL or is willing to undertake DSL training
• understands how to build a truly nurturing culture for children and staff
• has strong organisational and operational management skills
• is confident holding staff accountable while remaining warm, approachable and supportive
• can mentor others and raise standards through modelling, not simply instruction
• understands curriculum implementation beyond paperwork
• is passionate about outdoor learning and child-led play
• has high expectations and notices the little things that make a big difference
• can remain calm, solutions-focused and positive in a busy nursery environment

At Little Peanuts we know that exceptional care for children begins with valued, supported adults.

We offer:

• a leadership role with a strong influence on nursery development
• a highly supportive senior management team
• ongoing CPD and leadership development
• regular supervision and reflective practice support
• a beautiful Curiosity Approach inspired environment
• strong safeguarding and quality systems
• a warm, values-driven workplace culture
• opportunities to shape staff practice and nursery improvement long term

Safeguarding Statement

Little Peanuts Day Nursery and Forest School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and suitable safeguarding vetting.

• provider: Little Peanuts Day Nursery
• hours: 40 hours per week
• rate of pay: From £31,200 per annum, based on qualifications and experience
• address:
  Millfield Industrial Estate, Wheldrake, YO19 6NA
• website: littlepeanutsdaynursery.co.uk

If you're interested in applying, contact Sarah Hardwell by email: [email protected], or telephone: 01904 217321.

This application closes Monday 1 June 2026.