A rare opportunity has arisen to join the Senior Leadership Team at Gooseberry Bush Day Nursery as our Deputy Nursery Manager (Curriculum & Inclusion Lead).
As an independently owned nursery, we're proud to do things differently. We have the freedom to invest in our people, make decisions quickly and continually improve our provision without the constraints of a large corporate chain.
This is not a typical Deputy Nursery Manager role.
As the second-in-command of our nursery, you'll work alongside our Nursery Manager to lead a passionate team of over 35 early years professionals, drive quality across the setting and confidently lead the nursery whenever the Manager is away.
Leadership opportunities like this rarely become available. We're looking for someone who wants to be part of our long-term vision and help shape the future of Gooseberry Bush as we continue to invest in outstanding care, education and our people.
This role offers significant responsibility across the nursery, including operational leadership, curriculum development, SEND and inclusion, quality assurance, staff development and supporting the overall strategic direction of the setting. You'll be trusted to make decisions, solve problems and lead with confidence.
The Role
Working alongside the Nursery Manager, you will play a key role in leading the nursery and maintaining the exceptional standards our families expect.
- Lead the nursery in the absence of the Nursery Manager, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the setting.
- Confidently make decisions that prioritise children's welfare, staff wellbeing and operational excellence.
- Support the wider leadership team and help develop future leaders within the nursery.
- Ensure staffing ratios, safeguarding, health & safety and compliance standards are maintained at all times.
Curriculum Leadership
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of our ambitious early years curriculum.
- Coach and inspire practitioners to deliver exceptional teaching and learning experiences.
- Monitor planning, observations and assessments to ensure consistently high standards.
- Carry out learning walks, quality assurance reviews and professional coaching.
- Support staff to continually improve their practice through mentoring and feedback.
Inclusion & SEND
- Lead our approach to SEND and inclusion, acting as SENCO or working towards the role with support.
- Build strong relationships with parents and external professionals.
- Coordinate support plans, referrals and multi-agency meetings.
- Support practitioners to deliver inclusive, child-centred practice.
- Champion positive behaviour support and ensure every child has the opportunity to flourish.
Leadership & Staff Development
- Be an inspirational role model for the whole staff team.
- Coach, mentor and develop practitioners and Room Leaders.
- Carry out observations, supervisions and professional feedback.
- Identify training needs and support continuous professional development.
- Help create a positive, supportive and accountable culture.
Parent Experience
- Deliver outstanding customer service to every family.
- Conduct engaging nursery tours for prospective families.
- Build trusted relationships with parents through excellent communication.
- Confidently manage sensitive conversations, concerns and complaints with professionalism and empathy.
Quality & Compliance
- Support Ofsted preparation and continuous quality improvement.
- Complete audits and implement action plans.
- Maintain excellent standards of safeguarding, health & safety and statutory compliance.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of policies, procedures and best practice.
About You
We're looking for someone who:
- Holds a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
- Has experience as a Deputy Manager, Third in Charge, Assistant Manager or Manager within an early years setting.
- Has an excellent understanding of the EYFS and child development.
- Has experience leading, motivating and developing teams.
- Is passionate about delivering outstanding outcomes for children.
- Has excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Is confident making decisions and solving problems.
- Remains calm, professional and approachable under pressure.
- Leads by example and inspires others to achieve high standards.
- Builds positive relationships with children, families and colleagues alike.
We'd Love It If You Also Have
- Previous Deputy Manager or Assistant Manager experience.
- Experience leading curriculum development or quality improvement.
- Experience as a SENCO, or a strong interest in leading SEND and inclusion with support to undertake further training.
- Experience preparing for or participating in Ofsted inspections.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead experience.
- Experience coaching practitioners and developing outstanding practice.
Why Join Gooseberry Bush?
At Gooseberry Bush you'll become part of a supportive Senior Leadership Team that genuinely values its people.
We offer:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression.
- Ongoing leadership training and professional development.
- A supportive and collaborative leadership team.
- A beautiful, well-resourced nursery environment with newly refurbished gardens.
- The opportunity to influence the future direction of the nursery.
- A culture that celebrates ambition, innovation and continuous improvement.
- The chance to make a genuine difference to children's lives every single day.
This Role Would Suit Someone Who...
- Is already a Deputy Manager looking for greater responsibility, or a Nursery Manager of a smaller setting looking to join a larger, ambitious organisation.
- Is an experienced Third in Charge ready to take the next step.
- Enjoys developing people as much as working with children.
- Wants to be part of an ambitious nursery with high expectations and a clear vision for the future.
- Is looking for a long-term opportunity to grow within an organisation that invests in its people.
Apply Today
If you're an experienced early years leader who shares our passion for excellence and is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Gooseberry Bush, we'd love to hear from you.
Join our Senior Leadership Team and help us give every child the very best start in life.
Pay: Up to £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Management: 3 years (preferred)
- Early childhood education: 5 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 or above (required)
Location:
- Cirencester GL7 6BQ (required)
Work Location: In person
