Area Manager (Early Years)

An Extraordinary Place to Work ⭐

Contract: Permanent 40 hours per week working Monday - Friday 51 weeks a year

Working pattern: One working day from home. Other days will be either office based or on location visiting nursery sites. shifts can be between 7.30am and 5.30pm.

Salary: up to £55,000.00

Who Are We?

We are Tommies Childcare. Since 1998, we have provided exciting and memorable early years experiences for children aged 0 – 5 years. When you work at Tommies, you’ll be doing one of the most important jobs in the world: nurturing, protecting and helping children grow into well-balanced, happy and self-assured adults.

What do we look for?

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will have the experience and skills to oversee and lead on the vision and aspirations of the organisation.

You will be working alongside our existing Area Manager to support and oversee several of our Nursery sites within Warwickshire, Coventry, Birmingham and Derby. Your role will include Line Managing our Nursery Managers and advising them on aspects of Finance, Quality and HR.

Duties

• To support all Managers to be proactive in forecasting future occupancy levels and staff retention and empower Managers to make appropriate decisions in relation to staffing.
• To have Strong management and leadership skills with the ability to motivate a team
• To reinforce Company policy and procedures at all times and deal with any breaches swiftly and in an appropriate manner.
• Support Nursery Managers and HR with any issues relating to Safer Recruitment within the organisation, ensuring that all Company policies are followed throughout the recruitment process.
• To offer advice and support on any concerns relating to Performance Management.
• To confidently support and advise Nursery Managers on the Company’s Investigation and Disciplinary Policy and ensure that all procedures are followed in relation to this.
• Ensure that any concerns surrounding mandatory training within a setting are addressed with the Nursery Manager.
• Deliver training to meet the needs of the organisation through the Company training programme.
• Mentor and lead the Nursery Managers and offer support and guidance as required.
• Complete appraisals for all Nursery Managers, setting SMART objectives and raising any performance concerns.
• To lead on ideas and initiatives to maintain employee engagement.
• To support and on occasions lead in dealing with investigations, disciplinaries and absence management in-line with Company policies.
• Monitor staff development through regular support visits.
• Be an advocate to promote our Company values, ethos and benefits. ‘Why Choose Tommies?’
• Continually motivate and develop the Nursery Manager to ensure this if followed through within the nursery staff team.
• Ensure the nursery and the Company is seen as an employer of choice internally and externally.
• Address any concerns relating to performance concerns in the Leadership and Management area swiftly.
• To recognise and reward outstanding practice within the nursery.
• Promote equality and diversity within the nursery, challenging any behaviour which does not support our inclusive practice and Equal Opportunities Policy.

Requirements

• Experience working at Senior Level within Early Years
• Hold at least a level 3 Early Years qualification
• Have detailed understanding of key Early Years Regulations
• Experience of managing budgets, & carrying out other key finance tasks
• Must have valid driving licence and be able to travel

The ideal candidate will be passionate about mentoring, coaching, leading through quality care and education, demonstrating professionalism, organisational skills, and a collaborative attitude.

What we can do for you

You bring the enthusiasm and skills to succeed, and we'll offer you a place in an organisation that truly values you and the work you do.

You'll have the opportunity to make your voice heard through the annual 'b-Heard' survey. This independent employee engagement survey gives you the platform to tell us what it's like to be a valued member of the Tommies team.

Every year since 2019, the results of our surveys have placed us in the official Best Companies to Work For lists. That's because, for us, phrases like 'we support employee wellbeing and staff welfare' aren't just soundbites. They are core principles here at Tommies.

An Extraordinary Place to Work, with Extraordinary Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll receive an exceptional benefits package. All Tommies team members receive a minimum of:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Earn up to 4 days additional annual leave per year through good attendance
• 60% childcare discount (increasing to 65% after 3 years’ service)
• 10% friends & family childcare discount
• 8 hours per year to attend appointments or events that support your wellbeing
• Paid Compassionate Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Private Healthcare
• Bonus Scheme
• Performance Related Pay
• 16 weeks full maternity pay + 8 weeks half maternity pay
• Special rewards for Good and Outstanding Ofsted gradings
• £250.00 employee referral scheme
• An annual awards ceremony, and
• Plenty of training and development opportunities

Tommies is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children in our care. In line with safer recruitment requirements, any successful candidate will be required to undergo Safer recruitment checks, to include Enhanced DBS check and Suitable reference checks.