Job Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Preschool Deputy Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children, fostering their social, emotional, and cognitive development. This role offers an opportunity to make a positive impact on children's lives while working within a supportive and professional setting. The position is paid and suitable for individuals with a genuine interest in childcare and early childhood education.
Responsibilities:
Main functions of the role: To support the Pre-School Manager and provide the provision of safe, high quality education and care for pre-school children
Qualification and Training Requirement:
- Full and relevant Level 3 in Early Years or Childcare Duties
- GCSE C or above or equivalent to in Maths and English
- Previous experience as a Deputy manager/Manager in a nursery or preschool setting
- To support the Pre-School Manager to ensure the effective daily management of the Pre-School.
- To have a sound knowledge of all Policies, Procedures, Statutory Welfare Requirements and Ofsted expectations and ensure that these are maintained at all times.
- To be a role model to the staff team.
- Be able to showcase high quality practice with regards to individual and group work with children, dealing with staff and parent issues as they arise.
- To support and actively promote the safety, security and well-being of all children, staff and visitors at all times.
- Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within the setting dealing with and supporting any issues as they arise.
- To work alongside the Pre-School Manager to lead the Pre-School to work towards to Outstanding Ofsted grading.
- To play an active role in completing a rigorous action plan that supports the development of the Pre-School.
- To embrace, understand and promote the Pre-School and to understand the role you play as a member of the management team in providing high levels of care and education.
Performance Requirements
- Support the future occupancy levels of the setting by working alongside the Pre-School Manager in making appropriate decisions in relation to staffing.
- To reinforce Policy and Procedures at all times and deal with any breaches swiftly and in an appropriate manner.
- Identify development areas or training requirements throughout the staff team and actively promote continued professional development.
- Support the Pre-School Manager in completing regular staff supervision to drive practice.
- Mentor and lead the staff team and offer support and guidance as required.
- To support and encourage any ideas and initiatives to maintain employee engagement.
- To support in dealing with investigations, disciplinaries and absence management in line with Pre-School Policies and Procedures.
- Ensure efficient and effective staff deployment at all times.
- Be an advocate to promote the Pre-School ethos and vision.
- Continually motivate and develop the staff team within the Pre-School through effective role modelling and spending time in rooms throughout the setting.
- Support regular staff meetings with a full written agenda and minutes to accompany.
- To recognise and reward outstanding practice within the Pre-School.
- Promote equality and diversity within the Pre-School, challenging any behaviour which does not support the Pre-School Inclusive Practice and Equal Opportunities Policy.
Childcare
- To support the Pre-School Manager in driving the quality of practice in the Pre-School, including environments, learning and development and Learning Journals.
- Reflect on daily practice and identify areas for continual improvement.
- Ensure all practitioners and volunteers have a sound understanding of the Pre-School’s Safeguarding Policy and their role in safeguarding all children in the Pre-School.
- To ensure that the individual needs of all children are met and supported through planning in line with the EYFS.
- To ensure standards are continuously being met in line with Ofsted requirements and the EYFS.
- To ensure that any identified development needs are supported with ongoing training either internally or externally.
- As a management team, to oversee planning and children’s developmental records and ensure that they reflect their individual progress and are up to date.
- Ensure that settling-in and transitions are well managed for all children.
- To support on all aspects of inclusive practice, behaviour management and special educational needs.
- To support effective partnerships working with children, families and the wider community.
Continuously looking at ways to build relationships with external agencies.
- To ensure effective communication with staff and families through effective partnerships i.e. Newsletters, Parents Evenings and settling-in sessions.
- Deal with any parent/carer issues or concerns in a timely manner, escalating any issues to your Pre-School Manager as necessary.
- Oversee an effective Key Person approach within the setting.
Environment
- To take an active responsibility for Health & Safety Policies and Procedures at Pre-School.
- To support the Pre-School Manager and staff team to ensure all paperwork is completed correctly.
- Check premises daily and remove or action any potential hazards.
- To ensure the health & safety of all staff, children and visitors by ensuring policies on security and safety are adhered to at all times e.g. ensuring visitors have signed in and ID checks have been carried out.
- Raise any maintenance concerns to your Pre-School Manager and keep an ongoing record.
- Support and develop an enabling environment that is child-led, using both indoor and outdoor spaces effectively.
- Support and encourage budget-related decisions effectively to ensure that toys, equipment and soft furnishings both indoors and outdoors are at the required standard to support high quality practice.
- To ensure that you have an excellent understanding and have a working knowledge of all aspects of Health & Safety e.g. Risk Assessments, COSHH etc.
- To promote good hygiene practices in the Pre-School and maintain high standards of cleanliness. Sustainability
- To ensure excellent levels of customer service to all visitors.
- To work alongside the Pre-School Manager to ensure effective forward planning to maintain and grow occupancy levels and manage waiting lists effectively.
- Ability to calmly and effectively lead the Pre-School in times of emergency.
- Abide by the Pre-School’s Code of Conduct and all other Policies and Procedures at all times, maintaining a professional approach, behaviour and confidentiality at all times.
- Act as a representative of your Pre-School, promoting a professional image at all times.
- To have awareness of any legislation relating to your role and keeping up to date with any changes.
- Ensure all correspondence is dealt with promptly and professionally within a reasonable time frame.
- Show a willingness to undertake additional roles to meet the needs of the Pre-School, children and staff.
- Keep job knowledge up to date through internal and external training, showing a commitment to professional development.
- Be able to confidently and competently step up to the role of Pre-School Manager in their absence.
- Any other duties as required by the Pre-School Manager.
- This role offers an enriching opportunity for individuals committed to fostering young children's growth through compassionate care and innovative teaching methods.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £14.17 per hour
Work Location: In person
