Early education and childcare services managers Pay Data UK — 2025

Early education and childcare services managers roles in the UK earn a median of £31,500 per year, equivalent to £16.38 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 10.3% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £25,000 in Yorkshire and The Humber to £34,500 in London. Pay has risen over the past 4 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £30,140/yr (5% above our computed national average).

Labour Market

There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.

Pay by Region

Annual pay for Early education and childcare services managers across UK regions. The bar shows the typical pay range (25th–75th percentile); the diamond marks the median.

Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).

How Pay Has Changed Over Time

Annual pay grew by +10.3% from 2024 to 2025.

National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot. Shaded band shows 25th–75th percentile range.

Year-on-Year Pay Change

Annual percentage change in median pay for Early education and childcare services managers.

Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.

About Early education and childcare services managers

Early education and childcare services managers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the administration, support systems and activities that facilitate the effective running of nurseries and early education centres.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• directs and co-ordinates the day-to-day activities of nurseries and early years education centres
• helps create a friendly, secure atmosphere to encourage the development of social and language skills and other learning
• determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term requirements and ensures facility meets health, safety, Ofsted and other standards
• writes reports on children’s development and maintains awareness of health and safety issues
• communicates with parents and colleagues on children’s development and well-being

Entry Routes and Qualifications

Entrants will usually have a degree or level 3 qualification in childcare and significant relevant experience. Early years teacher status may be required. An additional management qualification may also be required by some employers. Entry is possible with a variety of academic qualifications, professional qualifications and/or relevant experience. A DBS check is mandatory.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.