Nursery Manager

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 5EA

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  19 November 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  5 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £31,149.00 - £34,579.00 Annually (Actual) West Sussex NJC Pay Range SCP 23-27 (£35,570 - £39,481 FTE) plus Outer Fringe Allowance £659 per annum

Nursery Manager job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and dedicated Nursery Manager to lead our thriving nursery provision at Desmond Anderson Primary Academy, part of the REAch2 Academy Trust, one of the largest primary-only academy trusts in England.

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional early years professional who is passionate about providing outstanding learning experiences for young children and ensuring every child receives the very best start to their educational journey.

As Nursery Manager, you will play a vital role in shaping our nursery environment, leading a committed team and working closely with school leaders, parents and carers to create a nurturing, inclusive and inspiring setting where children can thrive.

Working hours:

• 3 days working 8am-3.45pm
• 2 days working 8am - 5pm (to attend team meetings)

You will:

• Lead the day-to-day management and operation of the nursery.
• Ensure the highest standards of care, safeguarding and early years education.
• Deliver an ambitious, inclusive and nurturing EYFS curriculum that promotes children's development and school readiness.
• Manage, support and develop nursery staff through effective leadership and coaching.
• Build positive partnerships with parents, carers and external agencies.
• Monitor children's progress and ensure outstanding outcomes for all learners.
• Maintain compliance with EYFS requirements, safeguarding regulations and health and safety standards.
• Contribute to the wider life and vision of the school and REAch2 Academy Trust.

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a full and relevant Early Years qualification at Level 3 or above (Level 5 or Degree preferred).
• Has significant experience working within an early years setting.
• Has previous leadership or management experience within a nursery or early years provision.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the EYFS Framework and safeguarding requirements.
• Has excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Is passionate about delivering high-quality early years education.
• Can inspire and motivate a team to achieve excellence.
• Shares our commitment to inclusion, equality and putting children at the heart of everything we do.

Why Work with REAch2 Academy Trust?

Join REAch2 Academy Trust, one of the UK's largest primary academy trusts, with a mission to unlock the potential of every child, regardless of their background. Here’s why joining our team can be an exciting and fulfilling career choice:

• Excellence & Development: We prioritise high standards and offer extensive professional development and career growth opportunities.

• Supportive & Collaborative: Be part of a strong, collaborative community of over 60 schools where every voice is valued, and best practices are shared.

• Well-being Focus: We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer robust well-being support for all staff.

• Diversity & Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe that varied perspectives strengthen our schools.

• Innovation & Impact: Bring creativity to the classroom and make a real difference in children’s lives.

• Making a difference: Working with REAch2 means contributing to something bigger than yourself. You’ll be helping to shape the lives of young learners, making a meaningful impact on communities and future generations.

Join us to grow your career, collaborate with passionate educators, and make a lasting impact on future generations.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to support your career and well-being:

• Generous Annual Leave: healthy work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills.

• Flexible & Family-Friendly: We are committed to supporting flexible working and requests will be considered on an individual basis, including options such as part time, term-time, home working, and other options that work for both the employee and the Trust.  

• Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks.

• Well-being Support: Receive comprehensive well-being and employee assistance for you and your family.

Join REAch2 for a rewarding career with great benefits!

Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection 

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act (2002) is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.  

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity.

For more information about our safer recruitment processes, please click here for our Safer Recruitment Policy.

All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy. 

The Trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications.  

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

The University of Brighton Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check. This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013, 2020 and 2023. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. 

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Desmond Anderson Primary Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 2 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 434 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Desmond Anderson Primary Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/desmond-anderson-primary-academy

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy

At Desmond Anderson Primary Academy, we believe that every child deserves the best possible education. After all, an outstanding education leads to a lifetime of opportunity.

The academy is a dynamic, happy academy where our children ‘bubble with enthusiasm’ to learn. We cater for Reception to Year 6 children. It is an expanding school, which now has a published admissions number of 60 and will have a total capacity of 420 pupils. The academy also has a special facility for up to 20 pupils with autism and a nursery for children aged from 2 years.

School location

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