Nursery Deputy Manager

overview:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Deputy Manager to support the daily operations of our childcare Setting. As the Deputy Manager you will support the Nursery Manager in the day-to-day running of the setting, ensuring compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, safeguarding and welfare requirements, and maintaining high standards of care and education. This role involves leading and motivating staff, managing ratios and supervision, overseeing planning and assessments, and promoting equality, inclusion, and partnership with parents.

The Deputy Manager will act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, uphold health and safety standards, and contribute to staff development through appraisals and training. Strong leadership, organisational skills, and a commitment to child development are essential

About the Business: Little Saplings Day Nursery is offering an exciting opportunity to join a new team and nursery which opened in September 2024 in Kendal. It is a new renovated setting offering fantastic resources and large garden area. Our aim is to provide high quality childcare in a setting where children thrive in their learning and development. We are looking for a qualified Deputy Manager to join our expanding team.

This role requires adherence to all statutory requirements under the EYFS and Ofsted regulations. This is a fantastic, rare opportunity to shape our nursery's future and we would support you fully to ensure that the absolute best level of care and education is delivered.

Company Benefits:

· 28 days annual leave (including bank holidays)

· Extra 1 day's annual leave for your birthday

· Company pension

· Free onsite parking-

· Closed between Christmas and New Year

Key Responsibilities:

• Support in the day-to-day management for the nursery, to Include responsibility for maintaining correct ratios and ensuring children are supervised at all times.
• Provide leadership and guidance to nursery colleagues.
• Take responsibility for planning, which ensures each child is working towards the early learning goals by planning and implement age-appropriate activities.
• Key holder to open and close the nursery.
• To support children in developing confidence, independence by planning and implementing a high quality, play experiences.
• To support children in taking and managing their own risks.
• To treat each child as an individual and to ensure those needs are met.
• To Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of care and education.
• To organise and participate in the key person system, you will ensure every individual child's needs are met, including supporting practitioners, children and parents with any SEND needs.
• To work closely with the setting's SENCO to ensure effective implementation of the Special Educational Needs policy and procedures.
• To be a Designated Person for safeguarding in the setting. Promoting the welfare and safety of children to ensure that any welfare or child protection concerns are acted upon immediately and appropriately.
• To liaise and work in partnership with other agencies, both statutory and voluntary, as needed.
• To support in ensuring all staff understand and work to the nursery policies and procedures, including how to deal with child protection issues appropriately and how to respond to incidents, accidents, complaints and emergencies.
• To carry out observations using our online learning journal, Famly.
• Take ownership of the observation, assessments and planning for your key children in line with EYFS and provide developmentally challenging next steps.
• To regularly communicate and work in partnership with Parents/Carers.
• To work to all the Nursery Policies
• Ensure compliance with the EYFS statutory framework, including safeguarding and welfare requirements, learning and development requirements.
• To ensure records are properly maintained, e.g. daily attendance register, accident and incident book, risk assessments and promote health, hygiene, and safety (e.g., safe eating practices, toileting privacy, medication administration in line with policy.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties as directed, in accordance with the nursery aims and objectives.
• Continue continuous professional development through training and encourage staff to attend appropriate training.
• To work in partnership with the Nursery Manager and Room Leaders to conduct staff appraisals and supervisions as appropriate and to identify staff training needs.
• To assist and support the Nursery Manager with any day to day tasks as required and ensuring robust safeguarding procedures and safer recruitment practices are followed.

Education and Qualifications:

• Minimum level 3 childcare qualification
• GCSE or equivalent

Desirable Criteria:

• Food Hygiene certificate
• Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding certificate

Experience and Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS)
• Knowledge and experience of implementing good quality learning experiences
• Previous experience working with children, ideally as an Early Years Educator, Nursery Practitioner, Nursery Assistant or Nursery Nurse

Skills and Attributes:

• Ability to drive positive outcomes for children under your care
• Ability to lead and motivate a team
• Empathy and understanding of children under five
• Ability to write reports/observations and to keep clear and accurate records
• Excellent verbal communication skills with children, parents and external agencies
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Administrative and basic IT skills
• Excellent organisation skills

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• Have you got a level 3 childcare qualification

Location:

• Kendal LA9 (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 05/01/2026