Deputy Nursery Manager
Location: Nature's Little Learners, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate HG2 8PB
Pay: £15.50 - £17 dependant on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Working Pattern: 4-day working week
Hours:
Join Our Nursery Leadership Team
Are you an experienced Early Years professional ready to take the next step into nursery leadership?
Nature's Little Learners is seeking an enthusiastic and inspiring Deputy Nursery Manager to support the Nursery Manager in leading our nurturing, child-centred nursery.
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident leader who is passionate about high-quality early years education, staff development, safeguarding, and creating outstanding experiences for children and families.
We welcome applications from experienced Early Years leaders holding a Level 3 qualification or above. Candidates with a Level 6 qualification in Early Childhood Studies, Early Years Education, Childhood Practice, EYTS or QTS are particularly encouraged to apply and will have a distinct advantage.
As Deputy Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the daily leadership and management of the nursery, coaching and developing staff, maintaining high standards of care and education, and helping ensure the nursery remains fully compliant and inspection-ready.
About Nature's Little Learners
Nature's Little Learners is a child-centred, nurturing nursery where children are encouraged to explore, wonder, and develop confidence through play and meaningful experiences.
We believe happy, supported staff create the best outcomes for children, so we focus on teamwork, wellbeing, and professional development.
Our curiosity-led approach encourages children to become confident, independent learners while developing strong relationships with their peers, families, and educators.
What We Offer
- 4-day working week to support work-life balance
- Paid lunch breaks
- Free freshly prepared lunch every day
- Your birthday off work
- Free on-site parking
- Travel allowance for journeys over 10 miles
- Childcare discount
- Company pension
- Structured Deputy Manager Training and Development Programme
- Leadership and management development opportunities
- Ongoing professional development and training
- Supportive leadership team
- Excellent transport links
The Role
As Deputy Nursery Manager, you will work alongside the Nursery Manager to lead the nursery team and ensure exceptional standards of care, education, safeguarding, and operational excellence.
You will:
- Support the day-to-day leadership and management of the nursery
- Assume responsibility for the nursery in the absence of the Nursery Manager
- Lead, motivate, coach and support Room Leaders and Early Years Practitioners
- Support staff supervisions, appraisals, inductions and performance reviews
- Coordinate staff training and professional development
- Promote a positive, respectful and collaborative team culture
- Support effective staff deployment to ensure ratios and operational needs are met
- Monitor the quality of teaching, learning and assessment across the nursery
- Conduct room audits, learning walks and quality assurance checks
- Support the implementation of our child-centred, curiosity-led curriculum
- Promote strong safeguarding and welfare practices throughout the nursery
- Build positive partnerships with parents and external professionals
- Support continuous improvement and inspection readiness
- Support recruitment, onboarding and retention of high-quality staff
- Coach practitioners to deliver high-quality interactions, communication and language development, and meaningful learning experiences
- Promote inclusive practice for all children, including those with SEND, EAL and additional needs
Safeguarding & Professional Practice
Nature's Little Learners is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
All staff are expected to follow safeguarding procedures and help maintain a safe, inclusive and inspiring learning environment.
This role is subject to:
- Enhanced DBS check
- Satisfactory references
- Qualification and identity checks
- Online search as part of safer recruitment
RequirementsEssential
- Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above)
- Previous experience in a senior early years role, such as Room Leader, Third in Charge or Deputy Manager
- Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework and safeguarding requirements
- Experience supporting, coaching or mentoring staff
- Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills
- Ability to motivate and inspire a team
- Strong understanding of child development and inclusive practice
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
Desirable
- Level 6 qualification in Early Childhood Studies, Early Years Education, Childhood Practice or a related field
- Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Previous Deputy Nursery Manager experience
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training
- Paediatric First Aid qualification
- Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification (or working towards)
- Experience supporting Ofsted inspections
- Experience delivering staff training and professional development
- SEND knowledge and experience
Why Join Nature's Little Learners?
At Nature's Little Learners you're not just filling a role — you're joining a nursery where your wellbeing, ideas and professional growth are valued.
You'll be part of a supportive leadership team committed to developing outstanding practitioners, delivering exceptional care and education, and creating an environment where children, families and staff can thrive.
Benefits
- Company pension
- Childcare discount
- Free meals
- Employee discount
- Travel allowance
- Free parking
- Bereavement leave
- Paid lunch breaks
- Birthday leave
- Leadership development programme
Ability to Commute/Relocate
Harrogate HG2 8PB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Licence/Certification
- Full and Relevant Level 3 Early Years Qualification (required)
- Level 6 Early Years Qualification, EYTS or QTS (advantageous)
- Paediatric First Aid (preferred)
Work Location
In person
Nature's Little Learners is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment and actively contribute to creating a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment where children can thrive.
Pay: £15.50-£17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free or subsidised travel
Work Location: In person
