All about the role of ... Regional manager

This is a challenging role - particularly at a time when trading conditions are tough and the sector is undergoing change. Regional managers will currently be involved in ensuring that the revised EYFS and its implications for practice are fully understood by all teams across the group, and will be looking at how new training and CPD needs can be met in a cost-effective way. There will be pressure to look at economies of scale in order to ensure sustainability of the group. There are also a lot of policies to keep up to date with - including changes to the inspection framework, employment law and changes to the way in which local authorities are allocating funding under the free entitlement. Very often the role is fulfilled by staff members who have worked their way up through the ranks. This experience equips them to relate effectively with staff at all levels and have an all-round understanding of the business and its day-to-day routines.

The position requires attention to detail as well as being able to understand the bigger picture.

The individual must be a good communicator as he or she will be required to implement the management strategy while maximising employee well-being, engagement and best practice.

The regional manager is involved in induction and training and ensures that all sites meet, and ideally exceed, statutory and local authority regulatory requirements. She or he ensures that the region's and individual nursery's financial targets are met through careful planning and response to changing financial trends. This includes salary reviews and maintaining high-quality childcare environments.

Often regional managers will be Ofsted's nominated person for a nursery group and co-ordinate a company's compliance manual.

With complexities in funding and widening differences in local trading conditions, this role is becoming increasingly key to a group's success.

Training and qualifications

A good knowledge of the childcare and education sector is essential for this post, with the ability to lead a team of dynamic nursery managers to meet the standards of the company and the regulatory bodies. Previous relevant experience would be as a successful nursery manager and a regional manager or comparable management and supervisory roles. There are also many examples of individuals who have worked their way up from junior roles to this position, with their longstanding experience in the company standing them in good stead.

A thorough knowledge of quality assurance and the regulations process is essential. Experience of managing multiple nurseries and of corporate clients is an advantage. The post demands a highly polished presentation and strong leadership, communication, organisational and fiscal management skills.

The recommended educational background is a BA in Early Childhood Education and an advanced management and leadership qualification relating to early years.

Increasing numbers of regional managers and directors also now undertake Early Years Professional Status. With the role's emphasis on overseeing quality across a group of settings, EYPS provides an in-depth knowledge of what leadership in practice means, helping regional managers to standardise that quality across the group.

CASE STUDY: LOUISE HILL

Nursery group Childbase says it seeks passionate, talented professionals with strong leadership qualities to fulfil its role of regional director. The individual needs to have a desire to make a difference to the company while identifying with its ethos.

Louise Hill clearly has all these qualities and relishes the challenges and rewards of the job. As a regional director she is responsible for looking after around 15 of Childbase's 41 nurseries. However, she says that as the company is in the process of recruiting another director, that workload has currently risen to over 20.

'There is no such thing as a typical day and one of the aspects of the job that I really like is the sheer variety,' she says. 'Although it is a strategic role it is very important for me to make regular visits to the settings, in order to stay focused on the core aspects of the business. This means scrutinising things from a quality perspective, looking at the teams in the rooms and the challenges they face.

'It's only by spending time in each nursery that you get a real feel for those challenges and can begin to anticipate what they might be in the future. You can prepare and ensure that the best outcomes always result.

'Certainly nursery visits take up a good part of my week. Other aspects of my role include looking at statistics and preparing for future growth. I am responsible for developing our marketing plans, resourcing effectively and carrying out quality audits.

'I work closely with a team of area managers who have around four or five nurseries each to look after. They keep me up to date with the nurseries' progress.

'As a company which is employee-owned, Childbase places a huge emphasis on people and my role reflects this strongly. A lot of my work involves ensuring that the people who make the company successful are always engaged and motivated.

'There can be challenging times but it is very rewarding to see settings reach their goals and achieve Ofsted outstanding ratings. When you can see the difference this makes to the lives of the children and families who attend, it really is worthwhile.'