Job Description

Post:

Business Manager

Responsible to:

Management Committee

Start date:

To be discussed with applicant

Hours:

25 hours a week term time, + 75 hours p/a non-term time (times to be discussed at interview)

About Oakey Dokeys Pre-School

We are a busy, Ofsted graded "good", sessional pre-school, set in the village of Great Oakley, run by a voluntary committee. Our unique approach creates an environment in which our children, aged 2-4, thrive and learn through play. Our long-standing team of staff, and our committee, are dedicated to continuing to provide the highest level of care that parents have come to expect. We are progressive and inquisitive; always seeking to be responsive to individual children's needs and work in partnership to be supportive of the whole family.

Main purpose of the job

To provide administrative support and financial planning. Working closely with the management committee and setting manager to ensure the financial sustainability of the setting and smooth running of the pre-school on a day-to-day basis.

Duties will include

Managing the register, taking new enquiries, processing registration paperwork, printing daily and termly registers.

Provide a first point of contact for parents dropping their children off, dealing with any enquiries or requests.

Dealing with all emails, phone calls and paperwork relevant to the setting.

Day to Day management of bank accounts, payment of bills, ordering of supplies and resources.

Invoicing families and applying for Essex County Council funding.

Recording all financial transactions on accounting software and producing financial reports as and when required including annual accounts and finance reports for Committee Meetings.

Work with the Committee Treasurer to maintain a financial budget/cashflow and monitor finances to ensure financial stability.

Monitor mandatory training requirements and book training for all staff as required.

Working with committee and setting manager to ensure adequate staffing levels relevant to numbers of children/ratios.

Liaising with all 3rd party suppliers, maintaining regular servicing contracts, negotiating new contracts/rates.

Ensuring GDPR regulations are met.

Paying wages, running payroll with our third-party accountancy service, administering and paying pension contributions, paying Tax and NI contributions.

Processing recruitment paperwork including obtaining references, DBS, payroll.

Processing Committee changes, obtaining DBSs, updating Ofsted, register changes with Companies house and Charities Commission.

Skills required

Previous experience in an administrative/financial management role.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with both staff, parents, suppliers and outside agencies.

Adhere to strict confidentiality and privacy policies.

Empathetic and compassionate approach when talking to families.

Ability to prioritise workload and work under own initiative.

A flexible approach to working, ensuring that teamwork is always paramount.

Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office.

Experience within the childcare industry is preferred but not essential.

Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid training desirable.

Terms of employment

Rate of pay: 14.94 per hour.

Contract hours: 25 hours per week, 41 weeks per year, plus 5.6 weeks holiday pay per annum.

The right to work in the UK.

References

References will be required; successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications received.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 14.94 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 07/07/2025