Deputy Nursery Manager
Location: Flying Start Nurseries, Shaftesbury, DorsetSalary: £33,051 per year (pro rata)Hours: 40 hours per week (preferred)
Flying Start Nurseries are looking for a highly professional, motivated and committed Deputy Nursery Manager to support the leadership of one of our established early years settings.
Our nurseries are based within beautifully restored Edwardian homes, offering a calm, boutique-style environment filled with warmth, character and thoughtfully designed spaces — far removed from large corporate-style childcare settings.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced early years professional who is ready to take the next step in their leadership career. Working closely with the Nursery Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining outstanding standards of care, education and safeguarding while supporting and inspiring the nursery team.
What We Offer
- Salary of £33,051 per year (pro rata)
- Full Bupa Dental cover
- Subsidised meals
- Subsidised childcare
- Team events and celebrations
- Leadership development and mentoring
- Beautiful, well-resourced nursery environment
- Supportive senior leadership team
- Clear opportunities for career progression within our growing nursery group
The Role
Working alongside the Nursery Manager, you will be responsible for:
- Supporting the day-to-day management of the nursery
- Leading, motivating and supporting the staff team through excellent professional practice
- Promoting outstanding safeguarding, welfare and health & safety standards
- Ensuring children receive the highest quality care and education in line with the EYFS
- Supporting staff performance through coaching, encouragement and constructive feedback
- Monitoring standards and ensuring nursery policies and procedures are consistently followed
- Building positive relationships with children, families and external professionals
- Assisting with staffing, ratios, rotas and the smooth daily operation of the nursery
- Supporting the Nursery Manager with audits, observations, action plans and quality improvement
- Acting as Nursery Manager in their absence when required
The Person We’re Looking For
You will be:
- A qualified Early Years professional with a genuine passion for childcare
- An experienced practitioner who is ready to develop further within a leadership role
- Calm, organised and highly professional
- Confident supporting, coaching and motivating others
- An excellent communicator with strong relationship-building skills
- Proactive, approachable and solutions-focused
- Committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding and care
- A positive role model who leads by example every day
Essential Requirements
- Level 3 Early Years qualification (minimum)
- Experience working within an Early Years setting
- Previous leadership or senior practitioner experience
- Strong knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements
- Excellent organisational and IT skills
- Ability to pass an enhanced DBS and relevant checks
- Full-time availability preferred
Desirable
- Experience as a Room Leader, Third in Charge or Deputy Manager
- Leadership or management training or qualifications
- Experience supporting audits, quality improvement or Ofsted preparation
Apply Now
If you’re ready to take the next step in your Early Years career and join a supportive, ambitious team, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send your CV together with a short covering letter outlining your experience and why you’re the right person for the role to:
[email protected]
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £33,051.00 per year
Work Location: In person
