Marija Petrovic

Results-driven Nursery Manager and Early Years Professional with strong experience in managing daily centre operations, staff performance, admissions, parent relations, safeguarding and regulatory compliance. Skilled in overseeing enrolments, parent tours, registrations, renewals, invoicing, fee collection, staffing and child-to-staff ratios. Experienced in maintaining KHDA readiness, conducting manager inspections and CCTV observations, monitoring health and safety, and ensuring high standards of teaching and learning.

Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework, curriculum implementation and quality assurance. Confident in leading teams, resolving parent concerns, improving service quality and supporting enrolment, retention and revenue targets.

Nursery Manager - CHUBBY CHEEKS NURSERY – MARINA BRANCH - DUBAI, UAE

(2026-06-27 - 2026-08-13)

• Managed daily nursery operations, ensuring smooth, safe and high-quality service delivery.
• Managed admissions and enrolment, including enquiries, parent tours, registrations, trials, renewals and follow-up calls.
• Monitored daily/weekly collections, invoicing, outstanding payments, revenue, enrolment numbers and branch KPIs.
• Managed budgets, occupancy, class capacity and staff-to-child ratios, ensuring appropriate staffing at all times.
• Maintained full KHDA and regulatory inspection readiness, including compliance files, staff/child records, policies, attendance and required documentation.
• Led safeguarding, child protection, health & safety, daily safety checks and risk assessments.
• Supervised teachers, TAs and support staff, including staff deployment, schedules, attendance, responsibilities and performance.
• Monitored EYFS curriculum delivery, children's progress and teaching quality through classroom observations and staff feedback.
• Managed parent relationships, including enquiries, feedback, complaints, retention and service-quality concerns.
• Prepared and submitted daily and weekly management reports covering collections, registrations, enrolment, attendance, staffing and branch performance.
• Led Open Days, nursery tours, parent events and marketing initiatives to increase enrolment and conversion.
• Worked closely with senior management, Admissions and Quality Assurance to maintain strong operational, educational and compliance standards.

Head Teacher Duties (FS2) - SAVVI JUNIORS

(2026-04)

• Led and supported teachers and teaching assistants across the nursery.
• Monitored the quality of teaching, lesson planning and EYFS curriculum implementation.
• Conducted classroom observations and provided guidance and feedback to teachers.
• Supported teachers with planning, assessments, observations and children's progress tracking.
• Ensured classrooms maintained high standards of learning, safety, hygiene and organisation.
• Supported staff performance and helped identify areas for improvement and training.
• Ensured safeguarding and child protection procedures were consistently followed.
• Supported management with daily nursery operations, staff deployment and classroom coverage.
• Assisted with parent concerns and maintained positive relationships with families.
• Supported admissions, parent tours and new-child transitions when required.
• Worked closely with the Nursery Manager to maintain high educational and operational standards throughout the nursery.

FS1 Teacher - JEEBEL ALI VILLAGE NURSERY - DUBAI, UAE

(2025-09 - 2026-03)

• Planned and delivered engaging lessons and activities in line with the EYFS framework.
• Observed, assessed and tracked children's learning and development.
• Created a safe, stimulating and inclusive classroom environment.
• Maintained children's learning records and classroom documentation.
• Communicated regularly with parents regarding children's progress and wellbeing.
• Ensured safeguarding, health and safety and nursery policies were followed.

Head Of Talent Acquisition Manager - CAPRI REALTY REAL ESTATE LLC - DUBAI

(2024-06 - 2025-06)

Human Resources Manager - CENTER FOR PERMANENT EDUCATION - SERBIA

(2022-06 - 2024-10)

Admin | Hr Support - SERBIAN PAVILION | DUBAI EXPO - DUBAI

(2021-09 - 2022-03)

TQUK LEVEL 5 DIPLOMA - LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FOR CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY - NATIONAL ACADEMY INFORMATION SYSTEM

LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA - FOR YOUNG CHILDREN'S WORKFORCE (EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR) - NATIONAL ACADEMY INFORMATION SYSTEM

DIPLOMA - SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS PHONICS TEACHER TRAINING - BRITISH INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING (2023-12 - 2024-01)

DIPLOMA - LEADERSHIP - MANAGEMENT - BRITISH INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING

CHRM - ZABEEL INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

BBA - PROFESSIONAL MANAGER - FACULTY OF LAW SECURITY AND MANAGEMENT / CONSTANTIN THE GREAT

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING - PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER OF TECHNOLOGY - FACULTY OF LAW SECURITY AND MANAGEMENT / CONSTANTIN THE GREAT