Job Description

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 ResponsibilitiesLeadership & 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!

Jill@kiddiwinkles.co.uk or apply through indeed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 30,014.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount
Work Location: In person