Deputy Nursery Manager (Maternity Cover)Thornbury Nest Day Nursery & Preschool
Thornbury, South Gloucestershire
Full-Time | Competitive Salary (Dependent on Experience & Qualifications)
Join Our Family, Not a Corporate Chain!
Are you an experienced and passionate Early Years professional looking to take the next step in your career? Thornbury Nest Day Nursery & Preschool is seeking an enthusiastic Deputy Nursery Manager to join our friendly family-run nursery on a maternity cover basis, with excellent opportunities for future progression as our nursery continues to expand.
At Thornbury Nest, we pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where children, families and staff feel valued every day. Unlike large corporate nursery chains, we are an independent family business where every member of the team is recognised, supported and encouraged to develop.
About the Role
Working closely with the Nursery Manager and Directors, you will:
- Support the day-to-day management of the nursery.
- Lead and inspire a dedicated team of practitioners.
- Promote outstanding care, learning and safeguarding.
- Support staff through coaching, mentoring and supervision.
- Ensure full compliance with the EYFS, Ofsted and safeguarding requirements.
- Build strong relationships with children, families and professionals.
- Help drive continuous improvement and maintain our high standards of care and education.
Our Curriculum
At Thornbury Nest we believe every child learns differently. Our curriculum is inspired by a combination of:
- Montessori – encouraging independence, practical life skills and child-led learning.
- Reggio Emilia – valuing creativity, curiosity and the learning environment as the "third teacher".
- Vygotsky – recognising the importance of social interaction, scaffolding and learning through relationships.
- Piaget – supporting children through age-appropriate developmental stages using hands-on experiences and exploration.
We are passionate about creating an environment where children thrive through play, exploration and meaningful interactions.
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
- Previous experience in a senior nursery role such as Room Leader, Third in Charge or Deputy Manager.
- Excellent knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements.
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- A genuine passion for providing exceptional childcare.
Desirable:
- Leadership and management experience.
- Experience supporting inspections or quality improvement.
- Paediatric First Aid.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training.
Why Join Thornbury Nest?
We genuinely value our staff and offer a supportive working environment with fantastic benefits, including:
Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
60% childcare discount for your own children.
Free on-site parking.
Fully air-conditioned nursery.
Employee of the Month awards.
Star of the Month recognition scheme.
Ongoing professional development and funded training opportunities.
Excellent career progression opportunities as we continue to expand and open additional rooms.
A supportive, friendly and welcoming family-run nursery, where every team member is valued and recognised.
Staff appreciation events and a positive team culture.
About Thornbury Nest
Thornbury Nest Day Nursery & Preschool is committed to providing exceptional care and education for children in a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment. Our dedicated team works together to create meaningful learning experiences that encourage confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.
As our nursery continues to grow, this is an exciting opportunity to become part of our leadership team and help shape the future of our setting.
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about Early Years education and would like to join our growing nursery family, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV to [email protected]
Thornbury Nest Day Nursery & Preschool is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, verification of qualifications, right to work checks and all safer recruitment requirements in accordance with the EYFS.
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
