Nursery manager
Nursery managers run early years childcare centres, providing day care for babies and young children from birth to 5 years.
Also known as: Pre-school manager
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£35,000 a year
- Typical hours35 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a nursery manager, you would:
- create a safe and stimulating environment to promote learning
- update parents and carers on children's progress
- recruit staff and develop the nursery team
- keep records and create reports
- manage a budget
- make sure safety and child protection regulations are met
Working environment
You could work in a nursery.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- leadership skills
- business management skills
- customer service skills
- sensitivity and understanding
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a nursery manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can do a foundation degree or degree in child development or a related subject, such as:
- early years education
- psychology
- childhood studies
Some nurseries may prefer you to have early years teacher status (EYTS) .
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could start by doing a Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce.
You can also take other childcare qualifications but they must be at least level 3 if you want to become a manager.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
Apprenticeship
You could do an Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or an Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
These can take from 18 to 24 months to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a nursery worker. With further training, for example, the Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner, you could apply for management jobs.
You'll usually need at least 2 years' work experience with children in a nursery to apply to become a manager.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- manage a group of nurseries within an local area or region
- become a trainer or assessor on childcare courses
- move into nursery inspection
- train as an early years teacher or children's social worker
- set up your own private nursery
Career tips
You will need a paediatric first aid certificate to work in a nursery.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleNursery worker
- Job roleEarly years teacher
- Job roleTeaching assistant
- Job rolePrimary school teacher
- Job roleSpecial educational needs (SEN) teacher
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