Happy Days Nurseries are a leading group of children 's day nurseries, with over 30 nursery settings across the south of England.

We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Quality Manager to join our Quality Team, working closely with our Nursery Management teams to ensure the very highest standard of care and education for all children.

What you will be doing:

As Quality Manager, you will be pivotal in implementing, maintaining and monitoring standards of care, education, and compliance across a diverse portfolio of allocated nurseries across the Hampshire and Dorset area. You will ensure that our unique curriculum “Where Children Shine” is consistently implemented, guaranteeing that all children receive the highest quality of care and education. Additionally, you will support nurseries before, during, and after OFSTED inspections, ensuring they are always inspection-ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Foster open, positive relationships with Nursery Managers, staff, and Support Centre colleagues.
• Collaborate with Nursery management teams and Operations Managers to ensure compliance with company policies, legislation, and requirements.
• Regular visits to nurseries, prioritizing those needing urgent support.
• Complete and report on nursery visits and monitoring.
• Support Operations Managers in implementing changes and developments.
• Ensure safeguarding practices are upheld and embedded across all nurseries.
• Motivate and inspire teams through role modelling and best practices.
• Audit nurseries to identify strengths and areas for development, developing action plans and training packages.
• Monitor and review the impact of action plans and training.
• Deliver tailored training sessions, including some evenings and weekends.
• Implement and monitor childcare policies and procedures.
• Support managers and colleagues in achieving national quality assurance recognition.
• Manage escalated parental complaints and support SEND and behavioural concerns.
• Maintain professional relationships with local authorities and Ofsted.
• Ensure nurseries are prepared for OFSTED inspections and provide on-site support during the process.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum five years’ experience in a senior role within an early years setting.
• Level 3 or above Childcare qualification as defined by the DfE Early Years Qualification List (EYQL).
• Proven ability to deliver effective training and coach practitioners to improve practice.
• Positive impact on childcare practice and experience in driving cultural change.
• Strong auditing skills to identify and prioritize improvement areas.
• Comprehensive understanding of the statutory/regulatory framework for Welfare and Learning and Development Requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in critically analysing information and presenting complex reports.
• Personal drive and determination to achieve high standards.
• Strong organisational, planning, and time management skills.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• A full clean driving licence.

Benefits:

• Starting salary of £40,000 per annum
• Car Allowance
• Full communications package
• 25 days annual leave - plus bank holidays
• Up to 4 days gifted Christmas closedown
• 50% Childcare discount
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Ongoing career development and training opportunities

Our teams, whether in our nurseries or our support centre SHINE, they ensure we are delivering outstanding childcare to every child in our settings every day, this helps to make Happy Days a great place to work. By ensuring we are always recruiting, retaining and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues, who are representative of the communities within which our nurseries sits gives us the best opportunity to continue to deliver outstanding childcare

" Happy Days Nurseries are committed to the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care, as such the successful post holder will be required to undergo a robust vetting process, including an enhanced DBS Check and Reference History Checks"

HDNHO

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From £40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Childcare
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: On the road