Nursery Manager (Maternity Cover) in Maida Vale, London - Family-Run Nursery Group

Up to £50,000 salary (9-12 month fixed-term contract with potential for permanent position post-contract)

Location: Maida Vale, London

Our client is a family-run nursery group with a strong reputation across London for warm, high-quality early years care. They're looking for an experienced Nursery Manager to lead one of their settings on a 9-12 month maternity cover contract, with a genuine chance to move into a permanent management role at another nursery within the group once this contract ends.

This is a genuine opportunity to lead in a family-run nursery group built around a clear mission: helping every child build confidence, independence and a love of learning from day one. You'll join a team the group describes as supportive, with mentorship from experienced early years professionals and real investment in your ongoing development, within a business that's actively growing and opening new sites. If you're looking for a management role within a company that puts genuine care into both its children and its staff, this is worth a look.

On offer is a strong £50,000 salary, a genuinely supportive family-run culture, and a benefits package that goes well beyond the basics.

Working pattern: Full-time hours worked across a 4-day week (8am-6pm), giving you 3 days off every week.

Key responsibilities:

• Safeguarding and welfare: Ensuring every child is safe, protected and well cared for in line with legal requirements.

• Team leadership: Supervising, training and supporting staff, including performance management and professional development.

• Curriculum and compliance: Overseeing delivery of a high-quality EYFS curriculum and ensuring the setting meets all Ofsted, safeguarding and health & safety requirements.

About you:

• Experienced: At least 9-12 months' experience as a Nursery Manager or significant experience as a Deputy Manager in a childcare setting.

• Qualified: Level 3 Early Years Educator as a minimum, with Level 5 or above preferred.

• Knowledgeable: Strong understanding of EYFS, curriculum planning, child development, and Ofsted and safeguarding requirements.

What's in it for you:

• A Medical Cashback Plan worth over £1,000 a year, covering GP access, health screening, dental, optical and more.

• Blue Light Card discounts, a manager bonus incentive, and long service rewards.

• 32 days annual leave including 8 bank holidays and 4 personal wellbeing days.

Your recruiter for this role is Steve Brennan, Recruitment Director at Love Childcare Recruitment, and can be contacted simply by applying for the role below.