The Role

The Willow Nursery School

Nursery Manager Vacancy

A wonderful opportunity to join our dedicated, enthusiastic and long-standing team, in a Management role for our independent and family-run nursery in Clapham.  You will become a member of our Willow family, upholding our Willow values, culture and ethos, whilst bringing in your own ideas.

Running for over 40 years, we are passionate about laying the foundation for our Willow children’s two-year Learning Journey. We are proud to combine a unique learning experience, focussing on our pioneering Emotional Intelligence programme RULER (Yale University), Forest School, Outdoor Learning, Traditional Teaching with some Montessori resources, and STEM.

Start: September 2022 or as soon as possible after this date

Full Time (Part Time 5 x Mornings will be considered)

Working hours F/T Mon-Thu 7.45am to 3.30pm and Friday 7.45am to 1.30pm, Term Time Only (33 weeks plus 10 days for holiday admin and Inset Days)

Salary £35k for 34¾ hours per week

Required Skills:

A positive and enthusiastic individual that loves working as a team

Strong organisational skills

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Team Management

Experience working with parents and third parties

Must have excellent written and spoken English

Full understanding of OFSTED inspections and EYFS

Ideally some knowledge of Montessori methods but not essential

Knowledge of SENCO requirements

Some knowledge of Forest School or Outdoor Learning

Ideally some knowledge of HR but not essential

Excellent time-keeping and prioritising skills

Reliable and diplomacy

Holds a clear DBS

Job Description:

Minimum NVQ Level 3 qualified with 5 years’ experience of working in an early years’ environment

Responsible to Nursery Director

• Regular meetings with Nursery Director
• Support staff with their Wellbeing
• Nursery admissions and registrations ensuring full inclusivity
• Showing parents around/ Greeting parents on entry alongside the teachers/ Answering parent’s questions/ Lead Parents Information Evening/ Attend Parents Coffee Mornings
• Willing to create links with local community and continue to support local charities through events (Sponsored Toddle)
• Team leadership including line management to all staff both in classroom and office and carrying out supervisions (observing staff teaching and carrying out learning walks)
• Organising peer to peer observations
• Follow best practice and our policies and procedures
• Teaching children when required during week
• Lead planning and work with teachers to deliver our curriculum for Inside and Outside Learning including RULER, STEM, and Forest School
• Ensure our visions and wellbeing of staff/children are met
• Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Lead RULER throughout the nursery
• Ensure SEF is completed annually
• Liaise with OFSTED, Lambeth C. C. and outside agencies where required
• Nursery setup is inspiring, educational, updated regularly and offers unique learning experiences, curiosity, awe and wonder
• Ensure we engage with Cultural Capital through respecting and encouraging differences in diversity through visitors, topics and outings
• Promote and run 1 hour Stay and Play sessions per week (18mths to 2.5yrs)
• Updating Action Plan regularly and work with staff to ensure actions are completed in a timely fashion
• Updating training database and ensure all staff complete personal development requirements
• Preparing children for transition to Reception
• Working with and building excellent relationships with our feeder schools to ensure smooth transitions
• Managing annual budget forecasts
• Planning to ensure nursery meets target occupancy
• Ensuring Safeguarding and Welfare requirements/audits are met
• Bridging gap to support children with SEN
• Working with staff to ensure SENCO requirements are met
• Safer Recruitment
• Management Administration inc. risk assessments, signing off children reports, checking observations on learning app (Arc),
• Liaising with Social-Media/PR/Web-Site/Advertising team
• Liaise with Nursery Maintenance team
• Attend Meetings for WINA (Wandsworth Independent Nursery Association)

A full handover period will be given on induction.

We are very lucky to be situated close to Clapham Common and not only have a wonderful garden but also a marvellous outdoor Forest School area with planned activities for each week.

If you are interested in the role please contact Alice Clark on alice@willowonthefarm.co.uk with a covering letter/CV and a complete application form (see attached).

The Willow Nursery is committed to safeguarding children, and all relevant checks (including a Disclosure Barring Service – Formally Criminal Records Bureau check) will be undertaken to confirm an applicant’s suitability.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils