Area Manager

A unique opportunity to help shape a growing nursery group

Domi Domingo is a warm, ambitious, innovative and values\-led nursery group with settings in Leeds and Wakefield. We provide high\-quality, inclusive and child\-led early years education with a strong focus on nature, nutrition and nurture.

We are currently progressing with our third nursery in Leeds, with the aim of opening in spring, and we have further growth plans beyond this.

This is not a standard Area Manager role. We are looking for an experienced early years leader who wants real autonomy, trust and influence. You will work closely with the owner and senior leadership team, but you will also have the freedom to lead improvement, support managers, raise standards and help shape the next stage of the business.

Our owner is based between Lithuania and the UK, so this role would suit someone confident, organised and self\-led — someone who can see what needs to happen and help the nurseries grow in the right way.

About Domi Domingo

We are proud to be a little different. Our nurseries are built on trust, respect and shared purpose, with hands\-on leadership, supportive teams and a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and development.

We are also an innovative nursery group. We are committed to keeping up to date with technology, systems and new ideas that help us improve quality, strengthen communication, reduce unnecessary admin and support better outcomes for children, families and staff.

Although each setting has its own identity and community, we work closely across the group. Our leaders support each other, share ideas, learn from each other and work together to strengthen standards across all settings.

We believe great nurseries are built by great people — and great people deserve to feel valued, supported and given opportunities to grow.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Area Manager to lead quality, nursery operations and performance across our nurseries.

You will be responsible for supporting Nursery Managers, strengthening quality, improving consistency, reviewing KPIs, identifying risks and driving continuous improvement. You will also play an important role in preparing new settings for successful opening and long\-term performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support Nursery Managers and Deputies across the group.


• Drive high standards of childcare quality, EYFS practice and Ofsted readiness.


• Ensure strong safeguarding culture, compliance and health and safety across all settings.


• Review nursery KPIs, including occupancy, staffing, sickness, agency use, parent satisfaction, quality and financial performance against budget.


• Hold managers accountable for clear action plans, deadlines and improvement priorities.


• Identify risks early and work with managers to resolve issues before they escalate.


• Support recruitment, retention, staff development and succession planning.


• Build a strong leadership culture based on trust, accountability, respect and continuous improvement.


• Ensure lessons and good practice are shared across the group.


• Support the opening of our third nursery in Leeds, including quality, staffing, leadership and operational readiness.


• Work closely with the Head of Operations on systems, budgets, staffing information and business processes.


• Provide strategic input to the CEO on nursery performance, leadership structure and future growth.

• Proven experience as an Area Manager, Nursery Manager or senior childcare leader.


• Strong knowledge of EYFS, safeguarding, Ofsted and early years quality standards.


• Minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification; Level 5 or above desirable.


• Able to demonstrate strong leadership skills and a positive impact in previous roles.


• Confidence using KPIs, data and reports to improve nursery performance.


• Good understanding of recruitment, retention, staffing, sickness, agency use and operational efficiency.


• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage priorities across multiple settings.


• Confident, calm and professional communication style.


• Strategic thinker who can see the bigger picture while still understanding nursery\-level detail.


• Comfortable using systems, technology and innovation to improve practice and performance.


• Warm, values\-led leader who can build trust while maintaining high expectations.

• Structured and proactive.


• Self\-led and confident working with autonomy.


• Strong at developing managers and leadership teams.


• Comfortable holding people accountable and following through.


• Comfortable with growth, change and complexity.


• Open to innovation, technology and new ways of working.


• Commercially aware without losing sight of childcare quality.


• Able to identify problems early and create practical action plans.


• Passionate about high\-quality early years education.

• A unique opportunity to help shape a growing nursery group.


• Opportunity to be involved in opening our third nursery in Leeds, with further growth planned beyond this.


• High level of autonomy, trust and influence.


• Work closely with a supportive owner and senior leadership team.


• Opportunity to influence quality, leadership, culture and strategy across the group.


• Be part of an innovative business that values systems, technology and continuous improvement.


• A team where your ideas and opinions are listened to.


• Performance\-based bonus scheme.


• Genuine opportunity for professional growth and progression.


• Collaborative culture where leaders support and learn from each other.

Domi Domingo is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We follow safer recruitment practices, and successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre\-employment checks, including satisfactory references, eligibility to work checks and an Enhanced DBS check before employment is confirmed.

Pay: From £50,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free parking


• On\-site parking

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