Pre School -
40 hours a week across 5 days (8:30-4:30) - Is room for flexibility
To support the Nursery Manager in delivering outstanding early‑years provision, ensuring high‑quality practice, strong staff performance, and smooth daily operations. The Deputy Manager acts as a key leader within the setting, modelling professionalism, safeguarding excellence, and effective team support.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership & Management
- Support the Manager in the day‑to‑day running of the nursery.
- Lead the team in delivering high‑quality care and education.
- Provide clear direction, guidance, and support to staff.
- Act as the senior leader on site in the Manager’s absence.
- Uphold and model the nursery’s values, professionalism, and bilingual ethos.
2. Staff Support & Deployment
- Ensure correct staff deployment throughout the day to maintain ratios and supervision.
- Oversee break management and daily staffing plans.
- Provide hands‑on support in rooms when required. Which may include covering ratios where needed.
- Mentor staff, offering coaching, feedback, and guidance.
- Support with performance management, including KPIs, focus weeks, and PIPs.
3. Safeguarding & Compliance
- Act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL.
- Ensure all safeguarding concerns are recorded and escalated appropriately.
- Maintain compliance with EYFS, Ofsted requirements, and nursery policies.
- Complete audits, risk assessments, and health & safety checks.
4. Operational Duties
- Support with daily opening and closing procedures.
- Ensure rooms are well‑presented, safe, and fully resourced.
- Oversee medication, incident forms, and documentation.
- Manage parent communication professionally and promptly.
- Support with rota planning, staff attendance, and absence management.
5. Curriculum & Quality of Education
- Support the Manager in delivering a high‑quality curriculum.
- Monitor teaching practice and children’s learning outcomes.
- Lead on planning, observations, and assessments where required.
- Ensure strong school‑readiness provision and bilingual learning opportunities.
6. Parent Partnerships
- Build positive, professional relationships with families.
- Support with tours, enquiries, and settling‑in processes.
- Address parent concerns calmly and professionally.
- Promote the nursery’s ethos, values, and Education Hub offer.
7. Administration & Documentation
- Support with staff files, training records, and compliance documents.
- Assist with funding paperwork, registers, and attendance tracking.
- Maintain accurate records in line with GDPR and nursery procedures.
- Support with recruitment, induction, and onboarding tasks.
Person SpecificationEssential
- Level 3 or above in Early Years.
- Strong leadership skills and experience supervising staff.
- Excellent knowledge of EYFS and safeguarding.
- Confident communicator with strong organisational skills.
- Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution‑focused.
Experience working in a nursery or pre‑school setting.
Desirable
- Experience as a Room Leader, Senior Practitioner, or Deputy Manager.
- DSL training.
- Experience in bilingual or forest‑school‑inspired settings.
- Strong understanding of quality improvement and Ofsted frameworks.
Benefits
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Employee discounts
- Company events
- Reward and recognition schemes
- Further training
- Free food cooked on site
- Bonus Scheme
Pay: £15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
