Early Years Manager - Devon Nurseries (Tic Tocs Nursery)
- Exeter
- Full Time
- A starting salary of £35,000 per annum
About the role:
Is early years your passion?
A unique management role has become available at Devon Nurseries. The role will initially involve maternity cover for one of our nursery managers at our Tic Tocs Nursery in Exeter city centre: Tic Tocs Day Nursery | Childrens Nurseries In Exeter
The role will evolve to provide cover for our other nursery managers and an opportunity to become part of our dynamic senior management team at Devon Nurseries.
We are looking for a skilled and creative Early Years Manager who can inspire and lead their team to deliver exceptional and inclusive early years education and care.
Tic Tocs Nursery and all of our Devon Nurseries are rated Good by Ofsted. Tic Tocs is a popular nursery serving a culturally diverse community in the heart of Exeter city centre. The Early Years Manager will be supported by the Head of Nurseries, the senior management team and wider support services including our training manager and finance team.
What we offer:
Tic Tocs nursery is part of the Devon Nurseries family of early years settings. Founded 20 years ago, the group comprises 5 unique nurseries in Exeter and Exmouth supporting the delivery of quality early years education and care to children and families: Devon Nurseries in Exeter & Exmouth
Devon Nurseries currently has over 100 employees, many of whom have worked with us for 10- 20 years. We are ambitious to expand this over time.
Devon Nurseries prides itself on being a supportive workplace and offers significant benefits for our team members including:
- A starting salary of £35k based on a full time 40 hour week
- 25% discount on non- funded childcare and early education places (applicable to staff
- working in our early years settings)
- Devon Nurseries has invested in FAMLY reducing paperwork and giving managers and staff
- more time to focus on the children
- A workplace pension scheme
- 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with additional annual leave for long service
- Enhanced sickness pay after a year’s service
- Access to our online health & wellbeing programme
- Free onsite parking
This post will allow a minimum of one month working alongside the nursery manager prior to her maternity leave which commences on 1st May. Ideally we would like to appoint the successful candidate to start working with us in March.
Job purpose:
The Early Years Manager will:
- inspire and lead each team to deliver high quality early years education and care
- manage the day-to-day operation of the setting, ensuring all regulatory requirements and policies and procedures are adhered to
- build relationships with children, staff, parents and the wider community
- actively build occupancy to ensure the financial stability of the setting
- work collaboratively with our senior management team who between them have many decades of childcare and managerial experience
Requirements:
Successful applicants will need:
- a minimum Level 3 Early Years Education and Childcare Qualification or equivalent and ability to meet all standards set out in EYFS
- a minimum level 2 Maths qualification
- proven post-qualification experience in working in early education and childcare
- leadership skills and experience
- safeguarding expertise
- Sendco expertise
- sound IT skills and ability to use Google drive, nursery management software, social media platforms and online portals effectively
- the ability to multi-task and establish rapport with children, staff, families, and external agencies
- an adaptable and flexible approach to working with different teams.
Please see job description for full details: Job Description Nursery Manager - Google Docs
Apply:
If you are ready to bring your passion and leadership to our company, we would love to hear from you!
Please feel free to get in touch with the Head of Nurseries for a conversation about the role or to arrange a visit to the nursery prior to applying. denise.russell@devon-nurseries.com
To apply, please complete the application form (attached below) and return completed form to: denise.russell@devon-nurseries.com.
The successful candidate will be required to complete a DBS check.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview on Friday 13th February 2026
Interview Date: Friday 13th February 2026
Job Details
- OrganisationChildcare
- Work LocationExeter
- Work Postcode
EX4 4DZ
- Reference
- Occupational GroupChildcare
- Salary Details
A starting salary of £35,000 per annum
- Job TermPermanent
- Appointment TypeFull Time
- Hours
40 hours per week. Fixed post initially to cover maternity leave then will become permanent.
- Closing Date
06/02/2026
- DBS Check Required
Yes