Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Human Resources
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Fixed term: 15 months (September 2025 to December 2026)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
188-THQ050725
Employer
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University Hospital Southampton
Town
Southampton
Salary
£38,682.00- £46,580.00 Per Annum (PA) Pro Rata)
Closing
22/07/2025 23:59
Interview date
30/07/2025

Employer heading

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Nursery and Project manager (Maternity Cover)

Band 6

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Are you passionate about being part of a team aspiring to deliver outstanding care and education to children aged 3 months- 5 years? Do you want to be part of a high performing nursery Leadership team who are always looking to improve? Do you want to develop your own skills as well as the skills of practitioners in your team?

Taplins operates two day nurseries supporting our local NHS staff, one at University Hospital Southampton and one at Western Community Hospital.  Being part of the UHS family means you will have access to great benefits such as generous holiday allowance, variety of shifts, and a discount scheme.

We aim to make each child's early education experiences positive and meaningful. Our children learn best in our warm, secure and caring environment, where they are able to experiment and have fun indoors or play in our generous outdoor space from 7am to 6.30pm. We have a reputation of meeting the needs of both children and their parents and offer the most solid foundation in those important first years.

Managers appointed on or after 4 January 2024 must have already achieved a suitable level 2 qualification in maths or must do so within two years of starting in the position. This also applies to existing managers moving to a new managerial role. Managers should have at least two years’ experience of working in an early years setting, or have at least two years’ other suitable experience.

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast. 

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You’ll need to be calm, kind and caring, with a sense of humour- we like our nurseries to be happy places!
•    You’ll have a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and inspiring approach to leading a team and working with children and their families.
•    You’ll need to be committed and reliable with a flexible approach.
•    You’ll hold a degree in an Early Years Childcare related subject/ Early Years Practitioner Status, or equivalent sector experience alongside a Level 3 Early years Qualification,
•    You’ll have experience of managing an Early Years setting, or be an experienced deputy manager with skills and aspirations to work at this level.
•    You’ll have the ability to manage a large team and drive improvements in performance.
•    You’ll be able to provide flexibility to work shifts between 0700-1830 Monday to Friday throughout the year.

Please contact us for more details!

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria
  • Patient First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Relevant degree, hold EYP status, or have a Foundation Degree. Or to hold a full and relevant Level 3 (or above) Early Years Qualification and be able to provide a validation certificate from Check an early years qualification - GOV.UK verifying this. To be able to provide all supporting documents as specified on the validation certificate
  • Up to date knowledge of current under 5s curriculum
  • Math and English GCSE/GSE (or equivalent) grade C or above
  • Recent previous experience of working with 3 months to 5 year olds in a childcare setting
  • Management experience within a childcare setting
  • Excellence, up to date knowledge of Ofsted regulations and curriculum
  • Sound knowledge of safeguarding processes.
  • Experience of team managing and motivating a team
  • Experience of managing a budget
  • Ability to implement policies and procedures
  • Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines within predetermined timescales.
  • Ability to formulate solutions and act on own initiative
  • Good judgement skills with ability to formulate solutions and act on own initiative.
  • Ability to work under pressure with accuracy and be adaptable to changing situations.
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of continual professional development
  • Current paediatric first aid certificate at work
  • Current food hygiene certificate
  • Experience with children under 14 years.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerInclusion UK

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Anna Rixon
Job title
Senior Nursery Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07795 685987
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies