Nursery Manager

We are currently seeking aNursery Manager to join our friendly and experienced team at our Nursery and Outdoor Learning centrein the lovely village ofEmberton inMilton Keynes.

Were looking for an ethical, dedicated, and inspirational individual to take advantage of this challenging and exciting opportunity to embrace the nursery, but also with a passion and vision for the outdoor play and learning opportunities of the Nature Kindergarten and the Forest School holiday club. The successful candidate will have to demonstrate a genuine passion for providing the highest standards in Early Years care, teaching and learning, promote parent partnerships, outdoor learning, continued professional development and be an outstanding leader. Acorn Early Years prides itself in being a social enterprise that puts children before profit. With a focus on ethical practice, professional development and embedding a culture of excellence, youll already be an experienced Nursery Manager, looking for the opportunity to lead a unique nursery and outdoor setting, ensuring all children and your team have the support, resources, learning opportunities, outdoor experiences and most importantly love and laughter every day!. Forest School training can be provided, but you must be keen to embrace nature pedagogy and our outdoor ethos.

What youll do

• Lead the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Promote the benefits of outdoor play through the nature kindergarten
• Safeguard and ensure wellbeing of all children and team
• Promote and facilitate close partnerships with parents/carers, your team and colleagues within Acorn
• Develop and maintain highly professional working relationships with Local Authority departments, regulatory bodies and other agencies
• Continually develop professional learning and share knowledge of developments within Early Years
• Manage marketing drives to drive occupancy and brand awareness
• Manage budgets and ensure efficient staff deployment and use of resources
• Professionally engage with the entire team, ensuring their continued professional development is tracked and supported
• Lead, mentor and guide team members to ensure consistent excellence in all areas of practice
• Work in partnership with the training centre upstairs to provide showcase examples of inspirational nursery practice

Who youll be

• Qualified to a minimum of level 3, but ideally level 6, with a relevant early years qualification
• Have a minimum of 3 years experience in a senior or management role, with at least a years management experience
• Qualified Forest School Leader, or someone who has experience with forest schools and is keen to develop their learning and skills further
• Experienced in leading a team
• Proven track record of achievingexceptional standards of early years care and education
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Professional, ethical, enthusiastic, and dedicated to putting the needs of children first

Were proud to be one of the leading childcare providers in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Bedford with over 30years experience who specialise in nature pedagogy and promoting the professional development of our employees. We are really proud to have recently been awarded the Nursery World Nursery Group of the Year, in this year's Nursery World Awards.

You will be rewarded with a competitive salary, great training and progression opportunities, enhanced pension contributions, and 65% childcare discount.As a not-for-profit organisation, Acorn always puts the needs of the children first, meaning you will be working for a business that cares about more than just profit.

The position is full time working 40 hours per week (you would be required to do a variety of early and late shifts, early shifts can start as early as 7.15am and the late shifts close is 6.15pm, orfour 10 hour days with a day off).

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• Childcare discount
• Generous family leave
• Christmas closure
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Cyclescheme
• Techscheme
• Length of Service awards
• Pay advances
• Employee assistance wellbeing programme

Successful applications will need to provide right to work in the UK documentation and undertake a DBS check along with two satisfactory references.

Acorn Childcare is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.