Nursery Manager (EYFS)

About This Role

The Nursery Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and effective operation of the nursery, ensuring the highest standards of early years education, care, safety, and wellbeing for children aged 45 days to 6 years. This role involves overseeing daily operations, leading and developing staff, maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, and fostering positive relationships with parents, regulatory bodies, and the wider community.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Management

• Provide strong, inspirational leadership to all nursery staff and promote a positive, child-centred culture.
• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for all children.
• Oversee staff schedules, ratios, and room coverage to ensure operational efficiency.
• Lead regular team meetings, performance reviews, and staff development sessions.

2. Curriculum & Learning

• Oversee the implementation of an age-appropriate, high-quality Early Years curriculum in line with regulatory standards (EYFS or equivalent local framework).
• Ensure learning activities support children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
• Monitor and evaluate teaching practices and learning outcomes to ensure continuous improvement.
• Support teachers and caregivers in planning, assessment, and documentation of children’s progress.

3. Safeguarding, Health & Safety

• Take full responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the nursery.
• Ensure compliance with all local regulatory guidelines, inspection standards, and health and safety requirements.
• Conduct regular risk assessments of classrooms, play areas, equipment, and daily routines.
• Oversee hygiene, nutrition, first aid procedures, and all safety protocols.

4. Staff Management & Development

• Recruit, onboard, and mentor nursery staff, ensuring all qualifications, background checks, and training are up to date.
• Identify staff training needs and support continuous professional development.
• Address performance issues promptly and professionally, maintaining high standards across all rooms.

5. Parent & Community Engagement

• Build and nurture strong relationships with parents through effective communication and transparency.
• Handle parent inquiries, concerns, and feedback in a professional and timely manner.
• Organise parent meetings, events, and workshops to support home–nursery collaboration.
• Promote the nursery within the community and support enrolment activities.

6. Administration & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records related to children’s files, attendance, incidents, and staff documentation.
• Ensure the nursery meets all regulatory, licensing, and accreditation requirements.
• Oversee budgeting, procurement, inventory, and cost management.
• Manage admissions, waitlists, classroom allocation, and capacity planning.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or diploma in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience working in Early Years settings, with at least 1–2 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of Early Years curriculum frameworks and best practices.
• Certification in Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding (or willingness to obtain).

Desirable

• Experience working in multicultural or international nursery environments.
• Additional leadership, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or SEN training.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• A nurturing, patient, and child-focused approach.
• Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the highest standards of care.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: AED18,000.00 - AED22,000.00 per month

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• EYFS / Nursery: 5 years (Preferred)
• Management: 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Cache Level 5 (Preferred)

Location:

• Abu Dhabi (Preferred)

Work Location: In person