Nursery Manager

Job content

A new opportunity has opened up for an exceptional leader at one of our six nurseries. Yew Trees Nursery, near Axbridge has been under the ownership of YMCA Dulverton Group since 2018, since our purchase from a retiring private provider.

The 100 place setting is based in 14 acres of Somerset countryside, around a purpose built series of barns which contain the individual rooms that make up the setting. Each of the rooms has free flow access to outside play spaces, and then beyond this access to acres of fields and a pond.

The setting could be described as mature in that it has been in existence since 1997, as such has a great reputation locally, is the early years setting of choice and a long waiting list of clients reflects this.

The current manager has been employed at the setting for over twenty years and has during this time built a strong team of 35 to support the delivery of high quality early years education.

The incoming manager will need to take a site wide approach to management, as there are other aspects to the delivery of our mission at the setting, along with considerable opportunity to develop the site. Currently our vibrant and successful Day Camp programme is delivered through each school holiday period this is attended by between 25 and 75 children each day, we also play host to an organic farm, and our early years catering team responsible for the production of 350 meals daily is based on the site. We would like to see increased use of the wider site both during and outside of the operating times of the setting, this could include the attraction of uniformed youth bodies e.g. scouts to use the facility, and for family camping.

There is the possibility of the manager being able to be housed on site, with the use of the four-bedroom farmhouse at the entrance to the property, this by negotiation and subject to DBS clearance for family.

This opportunity allows for an experienced leader or indeed a leader who is keen for development to nourish an amazing staff team and inspire generations of children in an amazing setting.

Benefits:

• 1 night free stay at one of the YMCA Hotel
• ​60% discount on childcare fees for children up to 3 years of age
• ​20% discount on childcare for children over 3 for non-funded hours
• ​Free and discounted places for children attending Day Camps
• ​28 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays per year for full-time staff
• ​Staff Pension
• ​Free parking
• ​Free Gym membership – George Williams Centre, Bridgwater or The Beach Hotel Minehead
• ​Health Insurance for those staff working over 16 hours per week
• ​Charity Worker’s Discount at certain high street stores
• ​Training budget
• ​Monthly raffle
• ​Mental Health Support
• ​Access to Occupational Health Assessment
• ​Discount at our Wedding Venue, Barley Wood​

Purpose

The post holder will lead the nursery, actively ensuring the highest quality of care to children under 5 years old, inspire a large staff team and build relationships with parents and the wider community. The nursery is also managed as a business with financial sustainability set as a key measure of success alongside quality of care.

Main responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Provide outstanding leadership and operational management.
• Maintain an exciting and inspirational child-led play based curriculum utilising the outdoors where-ever possible and shape the nursery environment to ensure it offers a diverse range of opportunities for children to play and learn.
• Manage the nursery as an effective business, writing and monitoring an annual budget and implementing marketing and sales plans for the nursery so that it achieves income and occupancy targets.
• Manage the day-to-day financial administration of the nursery with the support of an administrator, including using Famly software to help manage bookings, raise invoices and ensure the nursery has few debtors.
• Positively build the membership of the nursery as a way to engage parents and other community members and ensure the nursery reflects their needs, supports the work of local families and helps identify other areas of YMCA work.
• Manage the nursery as an effective business, writing and monitoring
• Ensure operational procedures for the nursery are in place and implemented.
• Work alongside other users at YMCA Dulverton Group to support the management of the site, share best practice and encourage seamless transition into our school aged programmes.
• Work alongside our other nursery managers to share good practice and ensure consistent implementation of the YMCA approach to childcare.
• Maintain full regulatory and legislative approval of the nursery, including Ofsted and Health and Safety requirements, this includes maintaining an Ofsted score of ‘Good’ or above.
• Identify and report to the board any potential risks to which the Charity is or may be exposed
• To maintain an up to date knowledge of current childcare issues, legislation and practices.
• Follow YMCA Dulverton Group’s safeguarding, child protection and safer working practice policies at all times, taking any concerns regarding health or/and wellbeing to your line manager or senior management.

Health and Safety

• In carrying out this role you have a duty (under Health and Safety legislation) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and that of others. This implies taking positive steps to understand the hazards in the workplace, to comply with safety rules and procedures and to ensure that nothing you do, or fail to do, puts yourself or others at risk. This includes managing a safe and secure environment for people who use our services.
• This duty includes checking that any person entering YMCA Dulverton Group property has a right to do so and their visit is recorded in accordance with YMCA Dulverton Group procedures.

General

• To maintain and develop up-to-date professional knowledge and skills through training, reading and other such activities and to incorporate the same into practice.
• Work across the organisation to build a learning culture and positive working environment.
• To maintain and demonstrate a commitment to YMCA Dulverton Group’s Vision, Values and strategic aims and objectives and ensure all activities reflect the values of YMCA Dulverton Group.
• Managing health and safety issues in your area of responsibility in line with the relevant section(s) of the Health and Safety Policy.
• Complying with YMCA Dulverton Group’s GDPR, confidentiality and information security policies at all times.
• To undertake such other duties and responsibilities reasonably requested by the management of YMCA Dulverton Group.

YMCA Dulverton Group is committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and promoting their welfare. The YMCA Dulverton Group, therefore, expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to an enhanced level DBS Disclosure in respect of the Adults/Children’s Workforce.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of Level 3 childcare qualification and a commitment to work towards further qualifications.
• Proven experience in a leadership role.
• Proven experience of an appropriate childcare setting.
• Strong understanding of the developmental needs of children, including those with additional needs.
• Good working knowledge of Windows, Word, Excel and Access (training will be given on Family nursery database software).
• First aid qualification (or willingness to train).
• Knowledge of health and safety and ability to complete risk assessments.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding good practice.
• An NVQ assessor for childcare qualifications or willingness to work towards

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• An empathy and enjoyment of working with children.
• An effective team player.
• Good organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to maintain good records and administration.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work on own initiative and lone work when required.
• The ability to form plans and carry them out in a busy environment.

​Personal Qualities

• Ability and willingness to relate positively towards children, parents and staff.
• Ability to be punctual at all times.
• An inspirational approach to helping young children develop through play.
• Demonstrable leadership qualities able to motivate and develop others.
• Enthusiasm for the work and values of the organisation.
• Demonstrable ability to achieve sales targets.
• An ability to set and manage budgets.
• Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Can evidence an understanding and commitment to the principles of Equal Opportunities.
• A creative and flexible approach to the work of the organisation.
• Professional, diplomatic, and non-judgemental approach.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Able to support the Christian ethos of the YMCA.
• Committed to continuing professional development, both personally and in the interests of staff for whom the post has responsibility
• ​Commitment to YMCA Dulverton Group’s Values.
• Self-motivated with ability to manage own workload and work with minimal supervision.
• Team player, with ability to build relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting demands.
• Demonstrates resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of work.
• Takes personal responsibility and accountability and able to make well informed balanced decisions taking account of risk.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach taking responsibility for areas of work and finding solutions.
• Anticipates need for change, proactively introducing systems to bring about improvements in effectiveness and efficiency.
• Is adaptable to change/embraces and welcomes change.

Other requirements

• YMCA Dulverton Group is committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and promoting their welfare. The YMCA Dulverton Group, therefore, expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This post is subject to an enhanced level DBS Disclosure in respect of the Adults/Children’s Workforce.
• This candidate must be committed to equality and diversity in the workplace.
• May be required to attend occasional evening meetings.
• Have a driving licence and access to a car.

​

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Gym membership
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

School type:

• Day nursery

Education:

• Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)

Experience:

• Nursery: 3 years (preferred)
• Childcare: 3 years (preferred)
• Management: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person