Operational Support Manager
South West Region (UK)
Location: Field based role across the South West
Contract: 6 month Fixed Term Contract
Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 dependent on experience plus generous car allowance
About Us
Partou UK is a leading name in the UK childcare sector, part of a global group caring for over 75,000 children across more than 1,000 nurseries.
Our focus is on creating safe, nurturing environments where children thrive and where teams feel valued, supported, and confident in their practice.
Why This Role Matters
This role is all about being present in nurseries and supporting teams where it matters most.
As an Operational Support Manager, you will spend time in settings across the South West, working alongside Nursery Managers and teams, offering guidance, coaching, and practical help. This is a role for someone who enjoys being in the day to day of nursery life, building trust, and supporting teams through visible, consistent presence.
What You Will Be Doing
• Being a regular, supportive presence in nurseries across the South West
• Working shoulder to shoulder with Nursery Managers in their day to day role
• Offering coaching, reassurance, and practical support to nursery teams
• Helping teams stay focused on high quality care, learning, and safety
• Supporting good practice around safeguarding, health and safety, and compliance
• Sharing ideas, approaches, and solutions that help nurseries work well
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Operational Support in Practice
• Spend time in nurseries supporting daily routines and operational flow
• Work alongside managers to plan, prioritise, and organise the working day
• Offer hands on help during busy periods where appropriate
Quality, Safeguarding, and Compliance
• Support teams to understand and embed safeguarding and compliance expectations
• Help managers feel confident and prepared around Ofsted requirements
• Encourage consistent, reflective practice across settings
People and Coaching Support
• Build positive, trusting relationships with Nursery Managers and teams
• Coach managers through challenges, decision making, and people conversations
• Support team wellbeing through visibility, listening, and practical help
Operational Confidence and Consistency
• Help nurseries maintain strong routines, clear roles, and organised ways of working
• Share learning and good practice between settings
• Support managers to feel confident, capable, and supported in their role
What Success Looks Like
• Managers feel supported, listened to, and more confident
• Teams experience visible, practical support in their nursery
• Strong day to day practice around safeguarding and care
• Calm, organised nursery environments
• Positive feedback from nursery teams about the support received
What It Takes
• Level 3 qualification in Children and Education minimum
• Experience supporting or leading across multiple childcare settings
• A warm, calm, and practical approach
• Confidence working alongside managers and teams in busy nursery environments
• Strong coaching and relationship building skills
• Good understanding of safeguarding and early years practice
• Willingness to travel across the South West region
Additional Information This is a 6 month fixed term contract, field based across the South West of England, with regular travel between nurseries
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community
Partou is proud be a part of the National Partnership in Early Learning and Childcare (NPELC) - a group of 10 of the largest childcare providers across England. Together, we operate over 1,300 childcare settings, employ more than 38,000 people, and take care of over 160,000 children.
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