Early education and childcare services managers Salary
Median salary £28,511 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £29,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For early education and childcare services managers, £30,140 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -23% versus the national average. Experienced early education and childcare services managers (top 25%) earn over £34,490.
About this role
Early education and childcare services managers lead nurseries, children's centres, pre-school settings and childcare organisations. They oversee EYFS delivery, manage staff, ensure safeguarding compliance and drive quality in early years provision.
Key responsibilities
- Managing early years settings and ensuring EYFS statutory framework compliance
- Leading and developing early years practitioners
- Overseeing safeguarding procedures and Ofsted readiness
- Managing budgets, funding claims and business operations
- Building relationships with parents, carers and external agencies
Qualifications and entry routes
Requires a Level 5 or 6 qualification in early years (e.g., Early Years Teacher Status, Foundation Degree, BA in Early Childhood Studies). Ofsted-registered managers must meet specific qualification requirements. Safeguarding training is mandatory.
Career outlook
Significant sector growth driven by government childcare expansion (30 hours funded childcare). Recruitment and retention challenges persist due to comparatively low pay across the sector.
Key skills
Common industries
- Private nurseries
- Pre-schools
- Children's centres
- Maintained nursery schools
- Childcare chains
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£20,927
0-2 years
Mid Level
£20,927
3-7 years
Senior
£34,490
8-15 years
Potential career growth: ▲ +65% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2021-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 1.9%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£1,629
Early education and childcare services managers salary: common questions
How much do early education and childcare services managers earn in the UK?
Is £30,140 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for early education and childcare services managers?
Have early education and childcare services managers salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for early education and childcare services managers?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).