Pre-School Manager

Thorndown Pre-School is a setting that sits within the school’s umbrella and is led by the Early Years Team Leader.

Are you passionate about developing our very youngest children to be the very best they can be? Do you want the chance to make a real difference to the children in our care? If the answer is yes then read on as we would love you to join our team. We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate and talented Early Years Worker to join our wonderful supportive staff at Thorndown Primary School. This position is an exciting opportunity to continue to enhance our popular and well supported pre-school setting.

This post will involve leading the Pre-school including planning and preparation throughout the week. It involves creating a fun, nurturing, stimulating and safe environment for the children that meets individual’s needs; preparing and resourcing activities and provision linked to the EYFS curriculum; assessing children’s progress and determining next steps in their learning and working collaboratively with other members of our EYFS team as well as parents and carers.

We are looking for someone who puts children at the heart of everything they do and wants the very best outcomes for all children in their care. You will need to be able to spot opportunities to develop learning in the moment. You will also need to show a high degree of initiative and be solution focussed. The successful candidate will have robust knowledge of EYFS, an awareness of the new Framework and have the excellent communication and organisational skills to lead the pre-school team and work closely with other leaders across the school. The individual must be highly motivated and have a positive attitude to making a difference.

We are looking for an experienced Pre-School a manager with the ability to encourage, motivate and develop our existing close knit team and to uphold our aims of providing a warm, caring, safe and stimulating environment for the children in out care.

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What you will need to apply:

• At least a Level 3 or 4 relevant Early Years qualification, any further qualifications would be an advantage.
• English and Maths GCSE Grade C (or equivalent)
• 2 years of previous experience of working as a Pre-School/Nursery manager or Deputy Manager
• Excellent communication skills
• Up to date knowledge of all EYFS framework and regulations, including safeguarding and health and safety
• The ability to ensure that all Ofsted regulatory and legal requirements are met
• Experience in increasing occupancy, marketing and operational matters
• Experience in planning and providing safe, stimulating and varied play opportunities
• The ability to draw up medium and long term curriculum plans
• Experience in maintaining a key person system, effectively supervising teaching staff
• Previous experience with monitoring quality of teaching, holding staff meetings, carrying out appraisals and identifying training needs
• The ability to ensure policies and procedures are implemented at all times and contribute to their development
• The ability to engage, motivate and further develop a team of practitioners in a very positive and constructive manner
• The ability to form a good supporting relationship with staff and parents
• Have an ENCO qualification/training

Additional Information

What we can offer you:

• Workplace pension
• A great team of staff who put the child at the heart of everything they do
• Staff Wellbeing support: including access to a Doctor 24/7, physiotherapy, counselling and much more
• CPD opportunities for all staff

Applicants for this public-facing post will need to demonstrate the ability to converse and provide effective help or advice, fluently in spoken English

CV’s will not be accepted for any school based posts.

Thorndown Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Closing date for applications : 7 October 2026

Interview date: 14 October 2026