Nursery Manager

Nursery Manager (Development Opportunity for High-Performing Deputies)

Location: Leeds Headingley Grove
Salary £35,000 plus up to 25% annual salary bonus

Lead. Inspire. Grow. Make a difference.

Are you an experienced early years deputy ready to take the next step in your career?

At Busy Bees, we believe great nurseries start with great leaders. As a Nursery Manager, you'll have the opportunity to lead your own team, shape the experience for children and families, and make a real difference every day with the support of a trusted national nursery group behind you.

Why Busy Bees?

Grow your career
We're passionate about developing our people. From leadership training to clear progression pathways, we'll support you to build your skills and take your career wherever you want it to go.

Lead and inspire your team
Create a positive, inclusive environment where your team can thrive. You'll coach, motivate and develop your colleagues, helping them reach their full potential.

Make your mark
Every Busy Bees nursery is unique. We'll give you the autonomy to lead your nursery, bring your ideas to life and create an environment where children can learn, explore and flourish.

Make a difference
You'll play a key role in giving children the best possible start in life, while building strong relationships with families and your local community.

Never feel like you're doing it alone
You'll have the backing of your Nursery Support and Regional teams, giving you access to guidance, expertise and resources whenever you need them.

About the opportunity and why this role is different

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Deputy Nursery Manager who is ready to progress into a full Nursery Manager role.

You will take full leadership responsibility for a nursery, supported by a strong regional team and central support teams.

We are looking for someone who is already performing at a high level in a deputy role and is ready to step into broader ownership, decision-making, and leadership accountability.

You will be trusted with autonomy from day one, supported by a strong regional and central structure designed to help you succeed, not micro-manage you.

About the benefits

• Up to 25% annual salary bonus
  Up to 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays)
  Y our birthday off - our gift to you!
  Substantial childcare discount
  Ongoing professional development & training
  A ccess to our Hive benefits platform - with exclusive retail discounts and wellbeing resources
  Enhanced family leave & return-to-work bonus
  Menopause support, financial wellbeing tools, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
  Cycle to Work scheme & easy-access pension plan
  Discounted private medical insurance
  Opportunities to travel internationally and explore best practices in early years education with our talent exchange programme
• And that's just the beginning! Our Hive Wellbeing Hub also offers mental health support, a dedicated Celebrating You space to recognise your achievements, and a Grow With Us programme to fuel your career ambitions.

About Our Nursery

Looking to grow your career in childcare?

At Busy Bees Headingley Grove, we're proud to offer a welcoming and inspiring nursery environment, supported by an established and passionate team. Based in a beautifully converted house on Grove Road, our nursery features three bright and airy rooms, thoughtfully designed around different ages and stages of children's development.

As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to create exciting learning experiences every day, from creative and sensory activities to outdoor exploration and supported risk-taking. Our extracurricular activities also give you the chance to introduce children to new experiences, help them develop new skills and encourage them to discover their interests.

We believe in creating an environment where both children and colleagues can thrive. Building positive relationships with families is an important part of nursery life, with the Busy Bees App helping our team share updates and celebrate children's progress and achievements.

Located in the heart of Leeds Headingley, our nursery is conveniently positioned around two minutes from Headingley town centre and approximately 15 minutes from Leeds city centre. With nearby bus links, including Grove Lane and Headingley Arndale Bus Station, it's a great location for your next career move.

If you're passionate about early years education and want to be part of a supportive, established team where you can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Discover your next career opportunity at Busy Bees Headingley Grove and become part of our team!

Key responsibilities

• Step into full Nursery Manager responsibility for a well-supported setting
• Lead and develop a high-performing early years team
• Ensure high standards of care, education, safeguarding, and compliance
• Drive continuous improvement in practice and outcomes for children
• Take ownership of staffing, performance, and day-to-day operations
• Build strong relationships with families and your local community
• Work with regional leadership to support quality and occupancy goals

About you

We are looking for a Deputy Manager who is ready for progression and can demonstrate:

• Strong, proven performance in a Deputy Nursery Manager role preferably supernumery
• Confidence leading rooms, staff, or key areas of a setting
• Solid understanding of EYFS and Ofsted expectations
• Experience supporting inspections or quality improvement work
• The ability to lead teams, influence practice, and manage responsibility
• A clear ambition to step into full nursery leadership

You may already be acting up into manager responsibilities or leading significant areas of your current setting.

Qualifications and Experience:

• NNEB, BTEC Nat Dip, CACHE Dip in Childcare, or NVQ Level 3.
• Experience as a Nursery Manager or Assistant Nursery Manager.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• A focus on delivering high-quality childcare and early education.

Apply now

If you are a Deputy Nursery Manager ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.