Nursery Manager

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Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest trusts in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people. Our newly formed Trust, comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend, is determined to provide the best health services for its local population. We are a well-led, high-performing and innovative organisation working in the best interests of the people we serve.

Job overview

Our current nursery manager is looking to reduce her hours and we are looking for an enthusiastic, friendly and experienced individual to join our team as a job share manager, working 18.75 hours per week, Wednesday to Friday.

If successful, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operational provision and management of the Mid & South Essex Foundation Trust Ladybird Nursery, based at Southend Hospital. This includes staff management, health and safety, safeguarding, effective communications and staff involvement, implementation of the Early Years Foundation stage, coordinating the team and Nursery activities in order to offer a high level of childcare in a safe, stimulating and caring environment.

So, if you are looking for the next step in your career working with children, we'd love to hear from you today!

Main duties of the job

• Provide effective day to day operational management of the core nursery services
• Ensure formulation and implementation of staff rosters to ensure sufficient staff resources are available to meet occupancy levels of the nursery
• To open and close the nursery liaising with the management team as appropriate
• Overall responsibility for implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework
• Responsible for driving high standards including the planning and co-ordination of the curriculum framework, in order to promote the development of the children within our care
• Represent the nursery in communications with Ofsted, including keeping Ofsted updated as per their regulations, and liaising with Ofsted inspectors
• To work flexibly according to the needs of the service
• To organise and lead on team meetings
• To manage budgets
• To lead on and support all nursery co-ordinators e.g. Special Needs, Equal Opportunities, Child Protection and Health and Safety
• To create and maintain a safe, warm, caring and stimulating environment that together with encouragement will ensure the development of each child.
• Recognise and meet the needs of each child, and their family, as individuals.

Working for our organisation

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include

• Provide effective day to day operational management of the core nursery services
• Ensure formulation and implementation of staff rosters to ensure sufficient staff resources are available to meet occupancy levels of the nursery
• To open and close the nursery liaising with the management team as appropriate
• Implement and maintain the criteria contained in the Children Act 1989, 2004 and Childcare Act 2006 and other relevant legislation and Ofsted regulations
• Overall responsibility for implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework Development Matters and Statutory Framework
• Responsible for the planning and co-ordination of the curriculum framework in order to promote the development of the children within our care
• Responsible for the nursery meal menus and liaising with Medirest to ensure an efficient service and that healthy meals are being provided
• Responsible for the selection and purchasing of all new toys and equipment, ensuring that the nursery always remains within budget
• Ensure appropriate maintenance is undertaken of toys and equipment maintenance requirements and ensure effective inventory records are kept
• Represent the nursery in communications with Ofsted, including keeping Ofsted updated as per their regulations, and liaising with Ofsted inspectors
• To work flexibly according to the needs of the service
• To organise and lead on team meetings
• To undertake any other reasonable childcare or nursery related duties that may be required.
• To lead on and support all nursery co-ordinators e.g. Special Needs, Equal Opportunities, Child Protection and Health and Safety
• To create and maintain a safe, warm, caring and stimulating environment that together with encouragement will ensure the development of each child.
• Recognise and meet the needs of each child, and their family, as individuals.

Person specification

Level 3 qualification

Essential criteria

• Full and relevant early years level 3

Desirable criteria

• Early years qualification level 5 or degree

Experience

Essential criteria

• At least 2 years experience in a early years managerial role

Desirable criteria

• Has experience working as manager in an early years setting

Safeguarding

Essential criteria

• Has relevant designated safeguarding lead experience

Desirable criteria

• Has a current designated safeguarding lead training certificate

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job description (PDF, 688.5KB)
• AFC Pay Poster 23/24 (PDF, 40.2KB)
• Behaviours Framework (JPG, 298.0KB)
• Application Form (DOC, 233.0KB)