Early Years Career Pathway
Take a look at the Tops career pathway to see how you can progress in your early years career with Tops…
Level 1 Childcare Qualification
As well as starting you on a new career path the Level 1 Childcare qualification position is a fun, interactive and a practical way of learning. By undertaking a level 1 qualification you will gain valuable work experience, mentor and tutor support on a 1:1 or group basis.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
- Working towards a Level 1 Childcare Qualification.
Progression Opportunities:
Unqualified Childcare Apprentice
Working as a team with colleagues in the nursery to provide a high standard of childcare by undertaking various duties around the nursery, whilst studying towards your Level 2 Childcare qualification.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Working towards Level 2 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship
- Progression Opportunities:
- Level 3 Early Years Educator Childcare Apprenticeship upon completion.
Level 2 Educator / Nursery Assistant
Contribute to the development and execution of activities within the nurseries, providing support to colleagues where necessary and providing a safe, nurturing environment for all children.
Someone who is passionate and enthusiastic about beginning their career in child care.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Post-Qualifying experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old.
Level 2 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship upon completion.
- Progression Opportunities:
Level 3 Educator
As a Level 3 Educator, you will deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring each child’s individual needs are met through thoughtful planning, engaging activities and tailored support. You’ll play a key role in creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive.
You will support the educational and social development of babies and children up to five years old, helping them build confidence, communication skills and positive behaviours. Alongside caring for the children, you’ll work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain high standards of practice and support the wider team within the setting.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Post-Qualifying Experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old.
- Progression Opportunities:
Senior Educator
Our Senior Nursery Practitioner are experienced early years professional who provides high-quality care and education to young children while also taking on leadership responsibilities within the nursery.
Exercising enhanced responsibilities and levels of practice within the nursery. Supporting the Room Manager with various tasks, whilst also ensuring staff within the room are trained and mentored effectively, acting as a role model to colleagues.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
- 2 + years’ experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old.
- Experience acting as a ‘Key Worker’ to a group of children.
- Experience mentoring and supporting team members, alongside senior management.
- Level 3 Early Years Educator Childcare Diploma.
- Willing to work towards Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship
Room Leader
Our Room Leader looks after the educational and social development of babies and young children up to the age of five. Their primary duties include providing children with a safe environment to learn, helping them to develop basic social and behavioural skills and engaging them in age-appropriate play activities
Managing the day-to-day running of a specific room within a nursery, leading and motivating the team and providing a positive environment for the children. Delegating responsibilities to ensure a smooth daily routine and mentoring colleagues to maintain high standards of care and education.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
3 + years’ experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old.
Previous experience of managing a nursery unit.
Excellent communication and organisational skills.
Strong leadership skills, to inspire both children and colleagues.
Willing to work towards Level 3 Early Years Team Leader Apprenticeship or Level 2 Early Years Customer Service Educator.
- Progression Opportunities:
- Deputy Manager
- Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Educator.
Trainee Manager
You will learn how to manage by being given the training and experience of running various aspects of the nursery. Your job title may still be room manager or deputy manager, but you will have enhanced access to training and a senior nursery manager will coach you. In this way, you will be very well placed to step into management roles as they become available in this expanding nursery group.
We rarely advertise vacancies for trainee managers, if you are ambitious and aspire to become a Manager just apply. Your current manager will be contacted for a reference and if successful you will be matched with the next senior manager who has a vacancy to support your career progression and development.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Strong leadership skills, to inspire both children and colleagues.
Strong experience managing and mentoring colleagues within a similar environment.
Health & Safety Certificate.
Paediatric First Aid Course (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly).
Willingness to work towards Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner.
Willingness to work towards Level 3 Management Apprenticeship
- Progression Opportunities:
Deputy Manager
As Deputy Manager, you will work closely alongside the Nursery Manager to support the day-to-day running of the nursery, helping to ensure the highest standards of care, education and compliance are consistently delivered. You will take an active role in leading, motivating and supporting the team, and confidently step into full leadership of the setting in the Manager’s absence.
Ideal for an experienced early years professional who is ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. You’ll gain valuable experience in team development, operational management and parent partnerships building the skills and confidence needed to progress into a Nursery Manager or senior leadership position in the future.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Strong leadership skills, to inspire both children and colleagues.
Strong experience managing and mentoring colleagues within a similar environment.
Health & Safety Certificate.
Willingness to work towards Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Educator.
Willingness to work towards Level 3 Diploma in Management.
- Progression Opportunities:
Nursery Manager
As Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, performance and success of the nursery. You will inspire and develop a dedicated team of practitioners and apprentices to deliver high-quality, flexible childcare that meets the needs of families within the local community. With a strong focus on quality, compliance and continuous improvement, you will lead the setting towards achieving and maintaining an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating.
This is a dynamic leadership role that blends operational management, people development and educational excellence. You will create a positive, inclusive culture where children feel safe and inspired to learn, staff feel valued and supported, and parents feel confident in the care and education their child receives.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Previous experience managing a nursery setting, or strong experience as a Deputy Manager within a similar environment.
Health & Safety Certificate.
Willingness to work towards Level 3 Management Apprenticeship.
- Progression Opportunities:
Senior Nursery Manager
You will support local Nursery Managers with delivering high quality, flexible childcare service for parents within the local community, through supporting them in regards to staffing, Ofsted Inspections and Developing resources within the nurseries, supporting their nursery managers to achieve/maintain ‘Outstanding’ at Ofsted Inspections.
As a Senior Nursery Manager, you’ll help create a safe, educational, and fun environment for the children in our care. You’ll supervise children, ensure their safety, and organise activities such as games, crafts, and educational tasks. While some days might be challenging, you’ll also laugh, have fun, and make lasting memories with our children during one of the most important development stages of their lives!
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Health & Safety Certificate.
Previous experience managing a nursery setting.
Valid Driver’s License & Own Transport.
Paediatric First Aid Course (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly).
- Progression Opportunities:
- BA Early Childhood Studies
- Early Years Professional & Teacher Status.
- Level 3 Customer Service Specialist Apprenticeship.
- Level 3 Diploma in Management.
- Level 5 Childcare Diploma for the Early Years Senior Educator.
- Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.
Regional Director
To provide strategic leadership across a group of nurseries through Regional and Nursery Managers, ensuring high-performing teams deliver excellent outcomes.
As part of the Tops Board, contribute to shaping company strategy, driving improvement, and influencing the sector externally. Maintain accountability for business performance and ensure Tops’ ethos of sustainability, innovation, and employee ownership is embedded throughout.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Health & Safety Certificate.
Valid Driver’s License & Own Transport.
Level 6 Childcare Qualification or above.
Level 3 Diploma in Management or above.
Paediatric First Aid Course.
Progression Opportunities
- Early Years Professional & Teacher Status.
- Level 5 Childcare Diploma for the Early Years Senior Educator.
- Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.
- BA (Hons) Education Studies Top-Up Degree.
Operations Director
The Operations Director provides strategic and operational leadership across the entire Tops Day Nurseries group, ensuring consistency, efficiency and excellence in every setting. Working closely with Regional Directors and Nursery Managers, the Operations Director drives high performance, strengthens operational systems and ensures that quality, compliance and commercial success are aligned across the organisation.
Being part of Tops Day Nurseries means more than just doing a job; it means being part of something we all believe in. Our core values guide how we work together, support one another, and serve our customers with care and pride.
Qualifications & Experience
- Required:
Hold Early Years Professional Status (Level 6 relevant qualification).
Hold at least Level 4 in ‘Leadership & Management’ NVQ (or equivalent).
Previous experience as a Regional Director
Valid Driver’s License and Own Transport.
Hold a Level 5 Childcare Diploma for the Early Years Senior Educator/Childcare NVQ (or equivalent).
Progression Opportunities
