We are looking for a passionate, experienced and motivated Deputy Nursery Manager to support the Nursery Manager in the day-to-day leadership and smooth running of the nursery.
The Deputy Manager will play a key role in maintaining high standards of care, education and safeguarding, while supporting the team to provide a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can thrive.
The successful candidate will be an approachable and confident leader who is able to motivate and support staff, build strong relationships with families and ensure that the nursery consistently delivers high-quality early years practice.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Management
- Support the Nursery Manager with the effective day-to-day running of the nursery.
- Act as the Manager in the Manager's absence, taking responsibility for the smooth operation of the setting.
- Provide strong leadership and be a positive role model for all staff.
- Support Room Leaders and practitioners to maintain high standards of practice.
- Assist with staff supervision, appraisals, mentoring and professional development.
- Support the induction and training of new staff members.
- Promote a positive, respectful and supportive team culture.
- Allocate staff effectively to ensure appropriate supervision and ratios are maintained.
- Support with staff rotas, breaks, holidays and daily deployment.
- Address any performance or practice concerns appropriately and work alongside the Manager to resolve them.
Curriculum & Quality of Education
- Support the Manager in maintaining a high-quality curriculum that meets the needs of all children.
- Ensure the EYFS is effectively implemented throughout the nursery.
- Support Room Leaders with planning, observations and assessment.
- Monitor the quality of teaching, learning and interactions across the nursery.
- Encourage staff to provide engaging, meaningful and developmentally appropriate experiences.
- Support continuous improvement and contribute to the nursery's self-evaluation and development planning.
- Promote a strong focus on children's individual interests, development and next steps.
Safeguarding & Child Protection
- Take an active role in safeguarding and child protection.
- Follow the nursery's safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
- Report and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and other professionals where required.
- Ensure staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and maintain a strong culture of vigilance.
- Support the Manager with safeguarding records and documentation.
Children & Families
- Ensure children are cared for in a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment.
- Promote positive relationships and interactions between children and practitioners.
- Support children's personal, social and emotional development.
- Build strong, professional relationships with parents and carers.
- Deal confidently and sensitively with parent queries, concerns and feedback.
- Support the nursery in maintaining excellent communication with families.
- Help ensure smooth transitions for children entering and moving through the nursery.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Support the Manager in ensuring the nursery complies with relevant legislation, EYFS requirements and internal policies.
- Ensure health and safety procedures are followed consistently.
- Carry out or support daily checks of the nursery environment.
- Ensure appropriate risk assessments are completed and reviewed.
- Support the management of accidents, incidents, medication and care records.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and organisation.
- Ensure staff maintain appropriate supervision of children at all times.
Administration
- Support with the day-to-day administration and organisation of the nursery.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation.
- Assist with attendance, registers, staffing and room records.
- Support the Manager with nursery audits, inspections and quality assurance.
- Assist with preparing for Ofsted inspections and implementing any required actions.
- Contribute to meetings, reports and nursery development plans.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about providing high-quality care and education for young children.
- Confident, approachable and able to lead by example.
- Organised, reliable and able to manage competing priorities.
- A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations.
- Able to motivate, support and develop a team.
- Committed to safeguarding and children's welfare.
- Knowledgeable about child development and the EYFS.
- Reflective and committed to continuous improvement.
- Able to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
- Flexible and willing to support all areas of the nursery when required.
Qualifications & Experience
- Relevant Level 3 childcare qualification or above.
- Previous experience working within an early years setting.
- Experience of leading, supervising or mentoring staff.
- Good knowledge and understanding of the EYFS.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
- Experience with planning, observations and assessment.
- Experience supporting or leading a team would be highly desirable.
- Paediatric First Aid qualification is desirable.
- Safeguarding training appropriate to the role.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Leadership – the ability to inspire, motivate and support the nursery team.
Professionalism – consistently high standards of conduct, communication and practice.
Passion – a genuine commitment to children's learning, development, wellbeing and happiness.
Teamwork – the ability to work collaboratively and create a positive team environment.
Initiative – the confidence to identify areas for improvement and take appropriate action.
Communication – the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with children, families, staff and external professionals.
What We Offer
- A supportive and welcoming management team.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- A positive and inclusive working environment.
- Regular training and opportunities to develop leadership skills.
- The opportunity to make a real difference to children's experiences and outcomes.
- A role within a team that values high-quality early years practice.
- Discounted and Flexible Personal Childcare
- Discounted lunch at partner Bakery 20% off
- 24 hour BUPA wellbeing support line
- Monthly Staff Wellbeing Days
- Daily Staff Wellbeing Bar
- Three Team Bonding Days per year
- Annual Team Christmas Celebration
- An additional day of annual leave on your birthday per year
- Regular reflective supervisions with management team
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
- Excellent career progression and growth prospects
- A supportive environment that encourages learning, innovation, and in-house development
This is a full time role, across four days per week balancing your role with some time for yourself and your personal wellbeing.
An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.
If you are passionate about early years education and want to be part of a team where your ideas, contributions, and voice are valued, we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Childcare
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a childcare level 3 diploma?
Experience:
- leadership : 1 year (preferred)
- Childcare: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 2 or 3 Childcare Qualification (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
