This role is also known as Early Years Manager, Third in charge, and is related to Nursery Room Leader, EY Educator, Nursery Nurse[RS1] [JG2]
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Nursery Deputy Manager
Join a forward-thinking team where your expertise in Early Years will truly make an impact. As our new Deputy Manager or Third in charge, you will play a key role in the daily operations and long-term success of Willow Cottage. If you are a senior practitioner or current deputy with a deep understanding of EYFS compliance and a gift for staff development, we would love to help you take the next step in your career with us.
Current availability
We are currently recruiting a full-time Deputy Manager to initially provide flexible leadership support across our settings during a period of multiple maternity leaves. We are fully committed to evolving the role dynamically over time for the right candidate, ensuring this initial position naturally transitions into a settled, long-term role within the Willow Cottage family. A successful candidate may be based across one or more of our settings in Eynsham, Bletchingdon and Farmoor
We would also be keen to hear from candidates who are interested in a Third in Charge role.
Responsibilities
As a Deputy Manager or Third in Charge at Willow Cottage, you will be instrumental in:
- Excellence in Leadership: Delivering a flagship level of care and education, setting a professional benchmark that inspires your colleagues and ensures the highest expectations for every child.
- Empowering the Team: Cultivating a high-performance culture by motivating, directing, and supporting staff to maintain an inviting and pedagogically rich learning environment.
- Expert Mentorship: Serving as a primary professional role model, sharing deep pedagogical knowledge to coach junior staff, students, and Room Leaders in their professional journey.
- Strategic Pedagogy: Oversight of reflective practice, high-level observations, and curriculum planning to ensure every child’s unique developmental path is expertly supported.
- Operational Integrity: Upholding and auditing all statutory requirements, ensuring that Safeguarding, Health & Safety, and SEND support are managed with absolute diligence.
- Community Advocacy: Building sophisticated, trusted partnerships with parents and carers, acting as a key point of contact to ensure a seamless and collaborative nursery experience.
- Managerial Support: Working in close partnership with the Nursery Manager to oversee the daily operations of the nursery [GU3] [JG4] setting, stepping in to lead with confidence in their absence.
More information on this role can be found on our website at:
https://willow-cottage.com/deputy-manager/
Locations
Farmoor Nursery OX2 9NT
Eynsham Nursery OX29 4EH
Bletchingdon Nursery OX5 3DH
Salary
Deputy Manager - £35,701pa
Third in Charge - £34,385pa
£2000 Welcome bonus (T&Cs apply)
Contract
40 Hours, Full-Time over 4 days
Required
Early Years Level 3 qualification or above
Experience
3 years or above working in the Early Years
1 years experience in early years leadership
Safeguarding
Willow Cottage is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applicants must be able to provide evidence of having the right to live and work in the UK and must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer. Please see our willow-cottage.com/jobs web site for further information.
Benefits:
Fully Airconditioned working environment for those hot summer daysCompetitive and regularly review salary
Flexible working arrangements
50% staff discount on fees
31 days A/L + your Birthday off
Bonus annual leave for long service
Bonus annual leave for Christmas Shopping
Scheme to purchase additional Annual Leave
We support both inhouse and external training
We promote and support many internal career opportunities
We are a family business promoting caring, supportive environment and culture
Refer a friend scheme
There is ample free parking on our site
We our staff are able to join the NEST pension scheme
Beautiful countryside setting
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Pay: £35,701.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company events
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Have you worked within the Early Years in the last 12 months?
- Do you currently hold a UK valid paediatric first aid certificate?
- Do you have a qualification in the Early Years at level 3 or above?
Work Location: In person
