Manager-In-Training - South London

Job Description: Manager-in-Training – South London

Reporting to: Headteacher or Head of Teaching and Learning

Location: Various locations in South London

Contract: Fixed term, 12 months

Working Pattern: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £32,000

About the role:

This managerial training role within Ark Start offers a unique opportunity to build a career in early years education while making a tangible difference in children’s lives. The position combines hands-on responsibilities, leadership development, and extensive training, designed to equip a candidate with the skills to eventually manage and open their own Ark Start nursery. This role blends direct involvement in children's care and development with leadership and operational management, making it ideal for professionals passionate about advancing both educational and managerial skills.

In this position, the successful candidate will act as the deputy manager at an Ark Start nursery, supporting the Nursery Manager in day-to-day operations while preparing for their eventual leadership role. As part of their training, they’ll work four days a week at a particular site, receiving consistent supervision, mentorship, and coaching. The focus will be on nurturing children’s early developmental needs across social, emotional, intellectual, and physical domains, all while maintaining a safe, supportive, and enriching learning environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Nursery Improvement

• Implement daily improvement targets.
• Lead a specific area of improvement.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• DDSL trained, liaising with DSL/Nursery Manager on concerns.

  Management Information System (MIS)

• Record parent handovers and ensure staff MIS compliance daily (sessions, allergies, medication, etc.).
• Ensure parent handovers include signing incidents, medication, and updates on food and interactions.
• Collaborate with Nursery Manager and senior team on MIS usage.

Environment

• Lead daily cleanliness and organisation, setting up activities in line with planning.
• Conduct learning walks, focusing on creating an inspiring environment indoors and outdoors.
• Identify underused areas and enhance them for better engagement.
• Contribute to regular space risk assessments with the manager.

 Planning and Assessment

• Share weekly plans with staff by Thursday.
• Model engaging open-ended activities for effective learning.
• Ensure all rooms have sufficient resources for the curriculum.

• Support staff with developmental milestones.
• Step in for additional assessments as needed.
• Aid internal and external moderation sessions with staff.

Compliance

• Oversee daily compliance and manage risks.
• Report compliance concerns to the Nursery Manager or senior team.

Oversight of Playrooms

• Manage room leaders and support the daily running of the nursery.
• Communicate training needs with the Nursery Manager.
• Manage daily staff-to-child ratios.

Senior Staff on Site

• Act as senior staff for shifts or during holidays.
• Handle sensitive conversations with staff and parents when most senior on-site.

Professional Development

• Support coaching target identification for staff.
• Coach staff on training implementation.
• Lead training/planning for designated nursery improvement areas.

Other duties include:

Key responsibilities in this role include promoting the nursery's aims and high standards to parents, staff, and visitors, ensuring daily completion of opening and closing checklists, and reporting any compliance issues to the Nursery Manager. You'll keep the MIS updated, lead visits for new children, conduct tours for prospective parents, and assist in sensitive conversations with parents to foster a welcoming and supportive culture.

You’ll amend plans daily based on children’s interests and needs, communicate resource requirements, and model participation in planning meetings. Overseeing the room environment, you’ll guide staff in creating enhancements, ensuring alignment with the nursery's vision, and manage daily room operations through briefings, notice boards, and real-time communication. This includes coordinating staff lunches and breaks, implementing daily routines, and addressing any operational concerns with the Nursery Manager.

• A Real Living Wage Employer: We are a Real Living Wage employer with a minimum salary of £13.15 per hour for all roles in London. We also pay 11% pension contributions
• Ongoing Learning: We are committed to providing the best development for all our staff and we work hard to ensure there are clear career progression routes
• Annual leave: We are proud of our staff and want everyone to feel valued for playing their part. That’s why staff receive 25 days holiday each year, excluding bank holidays
• Wellbeing: Staff wellbeing is incredibly important to us. We know that while incredibly rewarding, working in a nursery can be challenging. We therefore work hard to ensure all staff have the support and infrastructure they need to take care of their wellbeing
• Part of a Network: Ark Start is part of Ark, a charity that aims to transform children’s lives through education. Ark operates a network of 39 schools across London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, and Hastings as well as a number of charitable ventures. Being part of a network means our staff get access to the opportunities, infrastructure, and support of a large organisation.

Our dedicated team work together to ensure that every child has a joyful, engaging, and secure nursery experience and leaves us ready to start school happily and confidently. We are driven by our values in everything we do: Aim High, Be Brave, Be Kind and Keep Learning.

Ark Start is at an exciting time in its evolution. We opened two nurseries in South London last year and aim to expand our reach over the coming years. As we expand, we are looking for Early Childhood Educator to join our founding team. We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for young children and with the skill, creativity, commitment, and energy to deliver excellent provision at Ark Start.