Deputy Manager – 1 Year Maternity Cover
Start Date: September 2026
We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and caring Deputy Manager to join our friendly and dedicated team on a 1 year maternity cover contract.
This is a hands on leadership role within a small, supportive setting. The successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working directly with children, leading nursery room, supporting practitioners and helping to ensure the smooth day to day operation of the nursery, breakfast club, after school club and holiday club provision.
Working Hours
This role is contracted for approximately 37–40 hours per week, term time only. Some holiday club hours required.
The successful candidate must be flexible to work between the setting's opening hours of 7:30am and 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, according to the needs of the nursery, wraparound care and some holiday club provision.
The role will include:
- Leading all breakfast club sessions, requiring 7:30am starts daily
- Leading a minimum of three after school club sessions per week, requiring 6:00pm finishes
- Supporting and leading holiday club provision during school holidays when required
The Role
Working alongside the Nursery Manager, the Deputy Nursery Manager will play a key role in maintaining high standards of care, learning and wellbeing across the setting.
Responsibilities include:
- Supporting the Nursery Manager in the day to day running of the setting
- Leading a nursery room and supporting high quality teaching and learning
- Acting as a role model and supporting other practitioners within the team
- Building positive relationships with children, families and colleagues
- Ensuring the safety, wellbeing and development of all children
- Supporting the effective deployment of staff and maintaining appropriate ratios
- Leading breakfast club sessions and supporting wraparound care provision
- Leading holiday club provision when needed during school holiday periods
- Promoting and maintaining high standards of safeguarding, care and education
- Assisting with the smooth operation of the setting in the absence of the Nursery Manager
Essential Requirements
- Hold a minimum Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education and Childcare (or equivalent recognised qualification)
- Demonstrable experience in a nursery leadership role
- Excellent knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding requirements and best practice within early years provision
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
- A positive, proactive and child centred approach
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the setting
- A thorough understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and a commitment to promoting the welfare of children.
Desirable
- Current Paediatric First Aid qualification
- Experience of leading wraparound care and/or holiday club provision
- Experience supporting and mentoring other practitioners
What We Offer
- A welcoming, supportive and friendly small team environment
- The opportunity to make a real difference to children's early learning experiences
- A varied and rewarding role across nursery and wraparound care provision
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- Competitive salary, dependent on qualifications and experience
Safeguarding Statement
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, provide suitable references and complete all relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment checks in line with statutory requirements.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all convictions, cautions and other relevant information must be disclosed where required.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about early years education, enjoy leading by example and are committed to providing outstanding experiences for children, we would love to hear from you.
To request an application pack or for further information about the role, please contact us.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a suitable candidate be appointed.
Pay: From £13.81 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
