Deputy Manager

Deputy Manager - Children's Nursery

Location: Abertridwr, Caerphilly Salary: £13.80 per hour Hours: Term-time 30 hours a week

About Hafan Fach Abertridwr

Hafan Fach is a a new nursery and is part of the Pitter Patter Play Ltd group. Set in the grounds of Cwmaber Infant School this small nursery is a home from home where children are cared for in small groups. Following the Curiosity Approach, this nursery has been curated to inspire children and provide opportunities to play that spark curiosity and joy.

We are registering for 20 children and open daily during term-time. There may be additional opportunities to increase hours when we expand into being an afterschool provision.

The Role

As Deputy Manager, you'll be a vital part of our leadership team, reporting to the RI and running the day to day operation of the setting. This is a hands-on role where you'll be instrumental in ensuring the highest standards of care

You'll achieve this by directly leading, mentoring, and supporting our practitioners within the room, ensuring exceptional practice across all age groups. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of early years practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Room Leadership & Practitioner Support:
• Deputise for the RI in their absence, taking full responsibility for the effective running of the nursery, with a primary focus on the quality of practice within the room.
• Directly lead, supervise, and mentor all practitioners, ensuring high standards of child-centred care and education are consistently maintained.
• Conduct regular observations and provide constructive feedback to staff, supporting their professional development and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead daily briefings and team discussions, ensuring effective communication and collaboration amongst the room teams.
• Support the RI in the recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of all nursery staff.

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Childcare & Education Quality

• You will lead by example in providing high-quality, child-centred care and education, ensuring the individual needs of all children are met.
• Oversee and support the effective planning, delivery, and assessment of engaging and developmentally appropriate activities for all age groups.
• Act as a key person for a group of children, observing their progress, maintaining accurate records, and fostering strong relationships with their families.
• Ensure all safeguarding and safeguarding policies and procedures are rigorously adhered to, acting as a Designated Safeguarding Lead in the absence of the RI

Compliance & Operational Oversight

• Work collaboratively to ensure the nursery consistently meets and exceeds all requirements set by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and other relevant statutory bodies.
• Assist the RI during CIW inspections and support the implementation of any recommendations effectively at the room level.
• Oversee the maintenance of accurate records and documentation related to child progress, staff development, and key worker responsibilities.

Partnership Working:

• Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with parents/carers, ensuring open communication regarding children's progress and well-being.
• Liaise effectively with external professionals, such as speech and language therapists, health visitors, and Early Years Additional Learning Needs, as required.

Essential Requirements

• A full and relevant Level 3 childcare qualification (e.g. CCPLD L3, or equivalent recognised by Social Care Wales).
• Willingness to work towards the L4/5 CCPLD
• Ability to lead and support a team of practitioners.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare, and CIW regulations.
• Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
• A compassionate, patient, and enthusiastic approach to working with children and families.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate strong leadership.
• High standard of It skills including use of App based childcare monitoring software and experience in completing registers and returns for Flying Start, Childcare Offer for Wales and NMRU

Desirable Skills/Qualifications

• Level 4 or 5 qualification in leadership and management within early years (e.g., City and Guilds Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development).
• Experience of working with children with additional learning needs.
• Current 12 hour Paediatric First Aid Certificate
• Playwork L2 or L3 or willingness to complete

Benefits

• Competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.
• Opportunities to work within other nurseries within the group.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Opportunity to make a real difference in children's early years
• Free uniform, staff discounts, pension scheme, paid training opportunities, Paid Summer and Christmas party, birthday voucher

To Apply

If you are a dedicated and experienced early years professional with a passion for the early years and a desire to directly lead and support a nursery team, we encourage you to apply Please submit your CV to by 21 November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Early applications are encouraged

Pitter Patter Play Ltd t/a Hafan Fach Abertridwr is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £13.80 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Language training provided

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 22/11/2025

Reference ID: PPP/2805

Expected start date: 07/01/2026