The posting
Behind every great childcare nursery, someone makes everything work.
A nursery is about much more than what happens in the rooms.
It’s the warm welcome a family receives when they first walk through the door.
It’s the phone call answered with patience. The viewing arranged. The information pack sent at just the right time. The records kept accurate and confidential. The team member supported with the paperwork they need.
These moments might happen behind the scenes, but they make a real difference to the children and families who use our services.
At YMCA Newport, we're looking for a friendly, organised and proactive Nursery Administrator who enjoys helping people and takes pride in making things run smoothly.
You'll be one of the first people families, visitors and professionals meet, so you'll play an important part in creating a welcoming experience from the very beginning.
You don't need to have worked in a nursery before. What matters most is that you're organised, approachable, confident communicating with people and able to keep on top of a busy workload.
A role with plenty of variety
No two days will necessarily look the same.
One day you might be welcoming a new family and arranging a nursery viewing. Another might involve supporting the admissions process, updating children's records, helping with recruitment paperwork or creating content to promote the nursery in the local community.
You'll be at the heart of the nursery's day-to-day organisation, helping colleagues focus on what matters most: providing great experiences for children.
The Nursery Administrator position is offered on a part-time basis, working 20 hours per week.
You'll ideally work Monday, Wednesday and Friday, however, some flexibility is required.
Welcome to the YMCA Fairthorne Group Newport IOW Nursery
Our nursery is part of YMCA Fairthorne Group, an organisation committed to helping children, young people and families belong, contribute and thrive.
Behind every thriving nursery is a welcoming, organised and supportive environment.
As a Nursery Administrator, you'll help create that environment.
You'll support families from their first enquiry through the admissions and settling-in process, while also helping colleagues with the administration that keeps the nursery running effectively.
You'll also have the opportunity to help connect the nursery with its local community, promoting the services we provide and helping more families discover what YMCA Fairthorne Group has to offer.
The difference you'll make
For families, you'll be a friendly and reassuring point of contact.
For colleagues, you'll be someone they can rely on to keep things organised.
For the nursery, you'll help make sure the important details don't get missed.
And for children, you'll help create the organised, welcoming environment they need to feel secure, settled and ready to learn and play.
Your role might include:
- welcoming families, visitors and professionals with a friendly and helpful approach
- answering enquiries both in person and over the telephone
- supporting parents through the nursery admissions process
- arranging nursery viewings and sending information packs
- booking settling visits and maintaining accurate records on our nursery management system
- maintaining children's files, accident records and other important documentation
- providing administrative support for HR processes, including arranging interviews and preparing recruitment paperwork
- maintaining staff records and training files
- promoting the nursery through social media, newsletters and emails
- building relationships with local partners and stakeholders
- supporting community engagement activities and raising awareness of YMCA Fairthorne Group services
- working collaboratively with colleagues to help the nursery run smoothly
- providing practical support within nursery rooms or during lunch cover when required
- managing challenging situations professionally while maintaining excellent customer service
- maintaining confidentiality and following YMCA Fairthorne Group policies and procedures.
It's a varied role where being organised is important, but so is being a people person.
More than an administration job
Joining the YMCA Fairthorne Group is about more than keeping records and answering phones.
It's about being part of a team that supports children and families every day.
You'll help create positive first impressions, support families through important moments, help colleagues do their jobs effectively and contribute to a nursery environment where people feel welcomed, supported and valued.
You'll also have opportunities to grow.
At the YMCA Fairthorne Group, we're committed to helping our people develop throughout their careers, with:
- ongoing training and development opportunities
- supportive colleagues and opportunities to share best practice
- the chance to be part of an organisation that makes a real difference within the community.
Could you be the person behind the scenes who helps everything come together?
If you're looking for a Nursery Administrator role where you can use your organisational and people skills to make a genuine difference to children, families and colleagues, we'd love to hear from you.
Even if you don't meet every requirement listed above, we encourage you to apply. Great people come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and we're committed to helping talented individuals develop and succeed.
Join the YMCA Fairthorne Group Nursery at Newport IOW and help us nurture futures, support families and make a lasting difference in our community.
Safeguarding
YMCA Fairthorne Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be required to complete appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
YMCA Fairthorne Group is committed to creating an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We want the YMCA Fairthorne Group to be a place where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to thrive.
Requirements
What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, helping others and taking pride in getting things right.
Ideally, you'll have:
- experience in reception, front-of-house or another customer-facing role
- at least two years' experience carrying out administrative duties in a busy environment
- excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and database systems
- strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing workloads
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- the ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
- confidence when dealing with challenging situations
- a commitment to delivering excellent customer service
- a positive, proactive and reliable approach.
It would also be great if you have:
- experience working in an Early Years, childcare or education setting
- experience using nursery management systems
- an understanding of community engagement and social media promotion.
You don't need to tick every box.
If you're someone who is organised, dependable, approachable and enjoys making a difference to the experience people have, we'd love to hear from you.
Up to £13,936 (Dependent on experience)
Benefits
Benefits that make a difference
- Enjoy free childcare for the hours you work, with 50% discount on any additional days required
- Extra support during the school holidays - One free week of YMCA Fairthorne Group Day Camps for each of your children every year, plus 50% off a second week.
- More time away from work - 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service up to 30 days, with the option to buy up to 10 additional days.
- Celebration Leave - An additional day to celebrate something that matters to you.
- Health and wellbeing - Access to our Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme.
- Family support - Enhanced family leave provisions.
- Everyday benefits - Blue Light Card eligibility, Cycle to Work scheme and discounts on activities, camping and experiences at YMCA Fairthorne Manor.
- Career development - Access to professional learning and development, with opportunities to build specialist knowledge in areas such as SEND, safeguarding and Forest School, as well as progressing into wider leadership roles across YMCA Fairthorne Group.
