For nurseries
Recruit a nursery manager
Full accountability: the children, the staff, the occupancy, the budget and the inspection. We find and match; your own vetting, DBS and reference checks run as normal.
What the role covers
- Full operational responsibility for the setting and everyone in it
- Recruitment, retention, supervision and the whole staffing cycle
- Ofsted registration, inspection, and whatever action follows one
- Designated safeguarding lead in most settings
- Occupancy, fee income, funding claims and budget
- Parent relationships, complaints, and the setting's local reputation
What to look for
- An approved Level 3 or above, which is the statutory minimum for the role
- Level 5 preferred by most groups, plus a Level 2 in maths within two years for managers appointed since January 2024
- A track record through a real inspection, ideally more than one
- Commercial grip: a manager who cannot read an occupancy report will struggle
Guide salary: £34,000 to £46,000 outside London, by setting size. See how we work these out.
Questions
Hiring a nursery manager
What should we pay a nursery manager?
Our 2026 guide puts this role at £34,000 to £46,000 outside London, by setting size outside London. Settings that advertise below the local band tend to wait considerably longer, which usually costs more than the difference.
How long will it take to fill?
Practitioner and room leader searches usually produce a shortlist within a week and an offer within three to four weeks. Manager and deputy searches run four to six weeks because the field is smaller and notice periods are longer.
Do you place temporary cover for this role?
No. We place permanent staff only.
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