Overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Deputy Nursery Manager to join our vibrant early childhood education team. This pivotal role offers an exciting opportunity to support the nursery manager in delivering high-quality childcare, fostering a nurturing environment where children can thrive and develop their full potential. As a Deputy Nursery Manager, you will play a vital part in leading daily operations, supporting staff, and ensuring compliance with all safety and regulatory standards. Your energetic approach and leadership skills will inspire both your team and the children in your care, creating a positive and engaging atmosphere every day.
Responsibilities/Duties:
Working in partnership with the Nursery School Manager to ensure the daily running of the Nursery, delivering flexible, high quality, education and care that meets the needs of the children and their families. With guidance, ensure compliance with all company policies, Health and Safety legislation, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and requirements regulated by OFSTED.
- Supervise the setting up of the Nursery room. Help with tidying during the day.
- Help compile Key Person groups and lists at the beginning and through the year with Manager. Compile Keyworker folders for all children and staff. Act as a Key Person responsible for a small group of children, liaising closely with parents/carers and ensuring each child’s needs are recognised and met.
- In the Manager's absence, ensure that the attendance register for children and staff, absence and Day Book are completed at the beginning of each session.
- Welcome children and parents into the Nursery. When all children are in the Nursery, check that all outside doors are locked and that the setting conforms with the Nursery Health and Safety policy. Ensure security is adhered to by all staff.
- Supervise the daily programme of events and oversee staff working practices.
- Advise the Nursery Manager of any concerns e.g. children, parents or the safety of equipment. Preserving confidentiality and treating sensitively any confidential information regarding the children or families or other staff, which is learned as part of their job.
- Report accidents to the Manager and make sure the accident forms are completed and signed by the child's parent/carer. Reports any grievances to the Nursery manager.
- Play with and teach children, offering a suitable level of support and stimulation.
- In the Nursery Manager’s absence - take responsibility for the Nursery sessions and staffing issues.
- Attends staff meetings and recommends improvements to Nursery activities and day-to-day running of the group.
- Attends in-service training courses when required.
Childcare and Education:
- To plan, prepare and participate in a range of activities that promotes each child’s physical, intellectual and emotional needs to enable each child to reach their full potential.
- To ensure that the planned activities come from the children’s next steps, observations and interests, as the EYFS framework requires.
- To ensure the calm, smooth running of the room using staff delegation as appropriate.
- Ensure that the environment is well set out and that resources are excitingly presented and accessible.
- Help compile Key Person groups and lists at the beginning and through the year with Manager. Compile Keyworker folders for all children and staff. Act as a Key Person responsible for a small group of children, liaising closely with parents/carers and ensuring each child’s needs are recognised and met.
- Ensure that group based activities are implemented by staff on a regular basis.
- In consultation with the Manager, SENCO and parents, assist in identifying suitable care plans when accommodating children with additional needs.
- To share in the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in the Nursery.
- To liaise with parents and to encourage their involvement in the aims of the Nursery in all aspects of the children’s care and to recognise the role that parents have already played in the Early Years Education of their child and that their continued involvement is crucial to successful learning.
Daily duties:
1. To implement the necessary health and safety, fire, accident and emergency procedures in accordance with Whitehill Childcare Services policies.
- Ensure that each child is collected in accordance with the collection procedure.
3. Lead and implement positive management of children’s behaviour.
4. Supervise and support all staff to provide high quality interaction.
5. To provide feedback to Nursery School Manager on issues relating to the Nursery day.
Staffing:
1. Being responsible for and leading a team of staff in a designated area of the Nursery School.
2. To supervise, effectively mentor and provide a good role model for all Nursery Assistants and students.
3. To assist in the organisation of registers and staffing, ensuring that the staff/child ratios are maintained at all times.
4. To work in partnership with fellow colleagues to create an effective Nursery Team and be fully involved in all activities associated with the Nursery School.
5. Monitor and support your staff team to ensure that daily paperwork such as written observations, planning, Learning Journeys are relevant and kept up to date on a weekly basis.
6. To assist the Manager in conducting staff observations and peer on peer observations.
7. Use your own observations and reflective practice to plan and implement staff development opportunities to address areas for improvement.
8. Encourage staff to reflect on their own practices to identify areas for improvement.
9. Induct new team members into your room and ensure effective mentoring until they feel confident to work independently.
General:
1. Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times in relation to all information.
2. To keep up to date with developments in childcare through regular training and reading as appropriate.
3. Attend in-service training courses when required.
4. Attend staff meetings and recommend improvements to Nursery activities and day-to-day running of the group.
5. In the Nursery Manager’s absence - take responsibility for the Nursery sessions and staffing issues.
6. To be flexible and undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by line management.
7. Organise a termly Nursery School Fire Drill and ensure all information is logged correctly on Fire Drill Sheet (located in registers). (Normally drill done with the school).
- Ensure that fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from the inside.
9. Be aware of our Fire Evacuation Procedure and ensure other staff members know their roles/responsibilities
10. Ensure that new employees/volunteers/students are aware of our Fire Evacuation Procedure during their Induction Process.
11. Liaise with Ashdown
12. Infant School re: whole site Fire Drills and sign appropriate paperwork.
13. Work with Peninsula Health & Safety to ensure all requirements are met and paperwork is in order.
Join us in making a meaningful difference in young lives! This role offers an inspiring environment where your leadership will shape the future of countless children while supporting your professional growth. We are committed to providing a rewarding workplace that values your skills and dedication every step of the way.
Pay: £24,338.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
