Nursery Deputy Manager

Job Overview

The Nursery Manager provides professional leadership and oversees the day-to-day operation of the nursery, ensuring high-quality care, education, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Key Aims

• Ensure full regulatory compliance.
• Deliver outstanding care and education.
• Support, develop, and lead nursery staff.
• Build positive relationships with parents, carers, and external agencies.
• Manage budgets and maintain financial targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the nursery team, ensuring company policies and procedures are followed.
• Maintain high standards of care, learning, and safeguarding in line with the EYFS.
• Oversee planning, assessment, and inclusion practices, including SEND provision.
• Ensure children's safety and staff understanding of safeguarding procedures.
• Recruit, induct, train, supervise, and appraise staff to maintain high-quality practice.
• Effectively deploy staff and manage staffing, operational, and running costs.
• Promote reflective practice, continuous improvement, and staff development.
• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, and external professionals.
• Represent and promote the nursery within the local community.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, emergency procedures, and safer recruitment requirements.
• Manage complaints, inspections, and all nursery administration, including records and personnel files.
• Support disciplinary and grievance processes in partnership with the Franchisee and Head Office.
• Undertake additional duties as required by the line manager.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification (full and relevant).
• Designated Safeguarding Lead qualification.
• Safer Recruitment training.
• Paediatric First Aid certification.
• Food Hygiene Level 2.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and IT skills.
• Ability to recruit, develop, motivate, and support staff.
• Strong record-keeping, report writing, and observational skills.
• Ability to manage priorities, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively with parents and external agencies.
• Confidence in supporting children with SEND.

Knowledge

• Thorough understanding of the EYFS and current inspection framework.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, child welfare, health and safety, and hygiene requirements.

Benefits

• An extremely supportive management team
• Individual training package and further opportunities
• Career development
• Apprenticeship completed through an OUTSTANDING training provider
• Room Leaders to help induct and support you
• Well-being at the centre of our practice
• Frequent Promotion opportunities
• Extensive Support for Higher Level qualifications
• Two days onsite training during inset days
• Team building events throughout the year