Recruitment

Childcare Manager (Cover)

Join the Kiddiwinkles Team as a Childcare Manager!

Are you a passionate and dedicated childcare professional looking to take the next step in your career? Do you thrive in a busy nursery environment and love leading a team to provide outstanding care and education?

Kiddiwinkles is looking for an experienced Childcare Manager to lead our well-established nursery. In this senior role, you’ll work closely with our leadership team, including experienced managers from other settings, senior coordinators, and our Business & Development Manager. With the support of our Director, you’ll help maintain the exceptional standards of care that Kiddiwinkles is known for.

At Kiddiwinkles, we pride ourselves on providing a nurturing, child-centred environment where little ones are encouraged to learn, explore, and grow at their own pace. As Childcare Manager, you’ll be at the heart of ensuring our values shine through in everything we do.

The Role:

Lead and inspire a dedicated team, fostering a supportive and engaging work environment.
Oversee five childcare centres across Mid Ulster.
Ensure a high-quality childcare experience that meets the needs of both children and families.
Work collaboratively with the wider leadership team to drive continuous improvement and maintain the highest standards.

What We Offer:

Senior Position: Childcare Manager
Hours: 37 hours over a 4-day week (operational hours 7:45 am – 6:00 pm).
Salary: £30,014 pro rata with room for growth based on performance.
A warm, supportive, and professional working environment where your expertise and leadership are valued.

At Kiddiwinkles, we believe every child deserves a safe, secure, and stimulating environment where they can flourish. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in early years education, we’d love to hear from you!

Benefits of the Role:

4-day work week (37 hours)
Competitive starting salary of £30,014 per year
28 days of annual leave
Opportunities for training and CPD courses to enhance your skills and bring new knowledge to Kiddiwinkles
30% childcare discount for staff
Team well-being initiatives, including birthday vouchers, massages, and seasonal events
Company pension scheme

This salary includes any occasional out-of-hours requirements, such as attending a maintenance visit or an important meeting.

Kiddiwinkles operates across five settings in Mid Ulster, and this role may require you to move between locations when needed (e.g., for annual leave cover or staff absences). Flexibility to work across all settings is essential.

Personal Attributes

Passionate about childcare and early years, with a strong understanding of Minimum Standards
Proven leadership and people management skills
Energetic, approachable, and able to build strong relationships
Solution-oriented with the ability to think quickly and adapt to challenges
Highly organised with excellent time management skills
Proficient in IT, including Famly app, Google Drive, and other software
Flexible and adaptable to meet business needs

Childcare Manager – Job Summary

As Childcare Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of care, education, and safety for children aged 3 months to 11 years across our five Kiddiwinkles settings in Mid Ulster. You will play a key role in shaping a positive, nurturing environment while leading and supporting a dedicated team.

This role requires a hands-on leadership approach, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, maintaining high-quality care, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the nursery. You will also be instrumental in fostering a strong team culture, supporting staff development, and driving continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

Lead, manage, and work alongside a team to create a safe, caring, and engaging environment for children.
Promote a positive workplace culture, ensuring the team embodies Kiddiwinkles’ values and objectives.
Support recruitment efforts, assist with interviews, and oversee onboarding for new staff, students, and volunteers.
Conduct staff inductions, training, appraisals, and performance reviews while providing ongoing support.
Ensure all team members adhere to professional standards, including uniform and outdoor play policies.
Identify and address staffing needs, absences, and scheduling adjustments to maintain smooth operations.
Ensure that the team maintains strong relationships with children, parents, and colleagues, fostering open communication and collaboration.
Monitor team performance, providing constructive feedback and support where necessary.

Operational & Daily Management

Oversee the day-to-day operations of your designated setting while maintaining communication with other locations.
Organise and oversee staff rotas, daily schedules, and school collection plans in collaboration with other managers.
Maintain compliance with health, safety, and safeguarding regulations, ensuring policies are consistently followed.
Provide on-the-ground support, actively engaging with staff and children to uphold high standards of care.
Manage administrative tasks, including record-keeping, digital system updates, and activity planning via the Famly app.
Ensure the setting is well-equipped with age-appropriate learning materials, resources, and supplies.
Maintain strong relationships with external agencies, local authorities, and education professionals to enhance service provision.
Support smooth child transitions between rooms and age groups, ensuring a structured and caring approach.

Quality, Compliance & Development

Oversee staff training and continuous professional development (CPD), ensuring all mandatory qualifications (e.g., Safeguarding, First Aid, Food Safety) are up to date.
Keep up to date with legislative changes and ensure compliance across all nursery settings.
Lead preparation for annual inspections, ensuring all policies, procedures, and self-evaluations are in place.
Regularly assess activity plans and learning approaches, ensuring they align with Kiddiwinkles’ educational philosophy.
Assist in developing and refining policies, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.
Drive sustainability efforts, ensuring resources are used efficiently and settings follow eco-friendly practices.

Health, Safety & Facility Management

Ensure health and safety policies are strictly followed, conducting regular risk assessments and fire drills.
Oversee hygiene and food safety standards, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
Maintain a well-organised, safe, and stimulating indoor and outdoor environment for children and staff.
Coordinate necessary maintenance, repairs, and facility upgrades, ensuring all settings remain well-kept and operational.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, has a passion for early years education, and enjoys leading a collaborative and high-performing team. If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a real impact while growing within a supportive organisation, we’d love to hear from you!