Nursery Manager in Bracknell - New Montessori Nursery

£40-45k (experience dependent) + salary review at six months

Location: Bracknell town centre, Berkshire (a short walk from Bracknell station)

Working pattern: Full-time, all year round

Our client is a brand-new Montessori-inspired nursery in Bracknell, set up by a mum of two whose own children went to a Montessori school and who fell in love with the approach. They’re looking for an experienced Nursery Manager to join the founding team, lead the setting through its Ofsted registration in early December and open the doors to families in January 2027.

This is a genuine chance to have your own nursery without owning it. With 30 places across a 10-place baby room and a 20-place toddler and pre-school room, it’s a calm, intimate setting where you’ll shape the culture, build the team and set the standard from day one, with the backing of an owner who truly believes in what she’s creating.

On offer is £40-45k with a review after six months that brings the potential for a rise linked to occupancy and performance, a warm, family-founded culture built around Montessori principles, and the opportunity to grow a brand-new nursery into a thriving part of the Bracknell community.

Key responsibilities:

• Opening the nursery: Lead the pre-opening setup, including routines, learning environments, documentation and preparing for Ofsted registration.

• Building the team: Recruit, induct and support a capable team, with regular supervision, appraisals and coaching.

• Safeguarding: Lead a safeguarding-first culture and act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.

• Montessori and EYFS: Deliver an ambitious EYFS curriculum through a Montessori-inspired prepared environment, encouraging independence, choice and curiosity.

• Families and occupancy: Oversee enquiries, admissions and settling-in, building warm relationships with parents and growing occupancy.

• Compliance and quality: Keep policies, risk assessments and records inspection-ready, reporting regularly to the Nursery Director.

About you:

• Proven leader: Management experience as a Deputy Manager or Nursery Manager.

• Qualified: A full and relevant Level 3 early years qualification or above.

• Safeguarding confident: DSL training and strong safeguarding knowledge.

• Early years expert: A strong working knowledge of EYFS, child development and inclusive practice.

• Montessori minded: Enthusiasm for the Montessori approach, with Montessori training or experience a real bonus.

• A builder: Experience of opening a new nursery or leading Ofsted preparation would be a big plus, as would a current paediatric first aid qualification.

What’s in it for you:

• A founding Nursery Manager role with real influence over the culture and direction of the setting.

• A salary review at six months, with potential for a rise linked to occupancy and performance.

• A small, nurturing 30-place nursery across two rooms.

• A parking space on site.

• A town-centre location a short walk from Bracknell station.

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.