Baby Room Leader / Assistant Manager
Location: Dover / Lydden area
Salary: £27,500–£28,500 per year, depending on experience
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Start Date: To be discussed
We are looking for a warm, confident,* and experienced Baby Room Leader/Assistant Manager* to join us in an exciting new nursery setting.
This is a key role within the nursery. The successful candidate will lead the baby room day-to-day and act as second-in-charge, supporting the Nursery Manager with the overall running of the setting.
We are looking for someone with strong, hands-on experience working with babies and children under two. You will need to have a secure understanding of high-quality baby room practice, including attachments, care routines, safeguarding, safe sleep, feeding, hygiene, ratios and compliance requirements for children under two.
As this is a new setting, we are looking for someone who is excited to be part of a fresh new venture. We would love to welcome someone who can bring ideas, experience and enthusiasm to help shape the baby room and wider nursery environment from the beginning.
At Apollo Nursery, our pillars of learning,* Wonder, Wellbeing and Wisdom,* guide everything we do. We believe in real experiences, real learning and a real childhood, with calm, natural spaces where children can feel safe, curious and confident.
About the role
As Baby Room Leader / Assistant Manager, you will be responsible for:
Leading the baby room and supporting the staff team within the room
Providing high-quality care for babies and children under two
Creating a calm, nurturing and engaging baby room environment
Supporting secure attachments and strong key person relationships
Managing settling-in sessions with sensitivity and confidence
Supporting feeding, weaning, bottles, sleep routines, nappies and individual care needs
Ensuring safe sleep procedures and baby room compliance are followed at all times
Keeping up to date with requirements and best practices linked to children under two
Planning meaningful experiences linked to babies’ interests and development
Ensuring observations, assessments and next steps are completed to a high standard
Working closely with parents and carers to build strong, trusting relationships
Supporting staff confidence, practice and development within the baby room
Maintaining excellent safeguarding, hygiene, health and safety standards
Supporting the Nursery Manager with daily organisation and wider nursery routines
Helping with parent enquiries, show-arounds and communication where needed
Supporting staff practice, standards and the overall smooth running of the setting
Stepping up as second in charge when required
We are looking for someone who:
Has strong, recent experience working in a baby room or with children under two
Holds a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above
Has previous experience as a Room Leader, Senior Practitioner, Third in Charge or Assistant Manager
Is confident with baby care routines, including bottles, weaning, sleep, nappies and settling-in
Understands attachment, emotional security and responsive care
Has strong knowledge of the EYFS and child development for babies and toddlers
Understands compliance, safeguarding and best practice for children under two
Can lead a team positively, calmly and professionally
Has excellent communication skills with parents, carers and staff
Is organised, reliable and able to maintain high standards
Is confident in supporting wider leadership across the nursery
Is excited to bring ideas and be part of developing a new setting
Experience in a baby room is essential for this role. We are looking for someone who is confident, capable and passionate about giving babies the very best start.
What we can offer:
A salary of £27,500–£28,500 per year, depending on experience
The opportunity to be second in charge within a new nursery setting
A supportive leadership team
The chance to help shape and develop a baby room from the beginning
A role with both room-based and wider leadership responsibilities
Training and professional development opportunities
A calm, child-centred setting with a strong focus on high-quality care
The opportunity to be part of an exciting new venture from the start
A positive team culture where your ideas and input will be valued
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves working with babies, understands the importance of high-quality care for children under two, and is ready to grow into a wider leadership role.
To get a feel for who we are and what we are creating, please visit our Facebook page.
To apply, please send your CV and a short covering message explaining your baby room experience, leadership experience and why you would be a good fit for the role to:
[email protected]
Pay: £27,500.00-£28,500.00 per year
Work Location: In person
