Quality Manager South West England

Quality Manager - South West England

Responsible to: Head of Region

Field based and will work cross functionally

Salary: From 45000

Contract: Full-time Permanent

Role Overview

Due to continued growth we are seeking an Early Years Quality Manager to work alongside operational team supporting multiple nurseries across the region. This is a field-based role working cross-functionally to drive high-quality care education and inclusive practice.

The role carries significant responsibility including conducting regular nursery visits implementing strategic initiatives and contributing to the delivery of outstanding care and education that meets the needs of children and families.

As a Quality Manager you will inspire and motivate teams across multiple sites bringing strong knowledge of Ofsted standards and the Early Years Inspection Framework (England) and/or the National Minimum Standards (Wales). You will play a key role in embedding best practice in teaching and learning ensuring high-quality environments and maintaining strong compliance and safeguarding cultures.

Main Areas of Responsibility

As a Quality Manager you will play a critical role in driving excellence across our early years settings. Youll be responsible for ensuring high standards of care education and compliance while inspiring and guiding teams to continually improve and innovate.

Quality of Learning

Conduct regular nursery visits to observe practice complete environmental audits and identify areas for improvement.

Support teams to embed the Future Ready Curriculum and effective planning observation and assessment processes.

Provide hands-on coaching mentoring and role modelling to enhance practitioner performance and confidence.

Support Nursery Managers to develop and implement Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) aligned to organisational priorities.

Ensure that those nurseries on targeted improvement plans work with the Quality and Training Team to sustain improved results.

Contribute to the performance management of Nursery Managers supporting sustained improvement across all operational areas.

Hold regular meetings with Nursery Manager to feedback on observations/training needs

Compliance and Safeguarding

Ensure policies procedures and statutory requirements are implemented and adhered to at all times.

Ensure Nursery Managers complete internal audits and maintain compliance with the EYFS/NMS safeguarding health and safety and wider legislation.

Clearly define and uphold statutory welfare requirements in line with regulatory guidance.

Uphold and promote robust safeguarding practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children.

Relationship Development and Cross-Site Collaboration

Build and sustain strong professional relationships across nurseries promoting collaboration and consistency of practice.

Facilitate regional and age-phase network meetings (e.g. babies toddlers preschool SEND leads).

Identify support needs and implement buddying or peer-mentoring arrangements for Room Managers and emerging leaders.

Promote a culture of trust shared accountability and reflective practice.

SEND / ALN and Inclusive Practice

Support settings to identify assess and meet the needs of children with SEND (England) and ALN (Wales).

Work alongside Nursery Managers and SENCOs/ALNCOs to ensure effective graduated response processes.

Promote inclusive environments reasonable adjustments and adaptive teaching approaches.

Support partnership working with parents local authorities and external professionals.

Champion inclusive leadership and consistency of SEND / ALN practice across sites.

Recruitment and Workforce Support

Provide recruitment support where required including acting as a second interviewer or note taker.

Support managers experiencing recruitment challenges with interview planning coordination and safer recruitment practice.

Coach managers in values-led recruitment and workforce planning.

Quality Engagement and Innovation

Support regional and group-wide quality initiatives including themed improvement focuses or practitioner challenges.

Contribute to site-wide and regional competitions and engagement activities aligned to quality and values.

Champion a culture of continuous improvement celebration and professional pride.

Operational and Strategic Support

Support the onboarding of new nursery sites and managers.

Provide operational support to existing sites including temporary cover during periods of absence.

Report to the Head of Region on visit findings audit outcomes and improvement actions.

Contribute to strategic initiatives and support achievement of the KPI target of 25% Strong Standards/outstanding across the portfolio.

Carry out occasional staff meeting training when required outside of work hours

Personnel Requirements

Strong communication interpersonal and negotiation skills.

Confident collaborative decision-maker.

Proven experience leading and managing teams.

In-depth knowledge of early years legislation and regulation.

Ability to produce high-quality written reports and action plans.

Resilient adaptable and committed to equal opportunities.

Skills and Experience

Strong knowledge of the EYFS (England) and/or National Minimum Standards (Wales).

Experience managing or supporting multiple childcare settings.

Level 3 or higher early years qualification.

Strong understanding of safeguarding and health and safety requirements.

Excellent coaching mentoring and training skills.

Ability to build effective relationships with local authorities inspectors and families.

Location and Travel

Field-based role supporting settings across a region.

Full UK driving license essential.

Safer Recruitment

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and at least two satisfactory references.