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Nursery manager

Alternative titles for this job include Pre-school manager

Nursery managers run early years childcare centres, providing day care for babies and young children from birth to 5 years.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 a week

You could work

early mornings on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Nursery manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can do a foundation degree or degree in child development or a related subject, such as:

  • early years education
  • psychology
  • childhood studies

Some nurseries may prefer you to have early years teacher status (EYTS).

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could start by doing a Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce.

You can also take other childcare qualifications but they must be at least level 3 if you want to become a manager.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do an Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or an Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These can take from 18 to 24 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a nursery worker. With further training, for example, the Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner, you could apply for management jobs.

You'll usually need at least 2 years' work experience with children in a nursery to apply to become a manager.

More Information

Further information

You can get more advice about working in childcare from Early Years Careers and the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • business management skills
  • customer service skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a nursery manager, you would:

  • create a safe and stimulating environment to promote learning
  • update parents and carers on children's progress
  • recruit staff and develop the nursery team
  • keep records and create reports
  • manage a budget
  • make sure safety and child protection regulations are met

Working environment

You could work in a nursery.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £11,648 a year Annually
  • Location: MILL HILL, LONDON

Nursery Practitioner Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: LONDON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Early Years

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull

Early Years Workforce

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 17 September 2025
  • Location: Paignton
Find courses near you

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