Deputy
Manager
Work closely with our Nursery Manager and Directors to lead a brand-new nursery, and help shape it from the beginning.
We are looking for an experienced and confident early years leader who is ready to take on an important leadership role within our brand-new nursery. You will have previous leadership experience, either as a Deputy Manager or as a Room Leader leading a larger room and team.
You will work closely with the Nursery Manager and Directors to support the successful day-to-day running of the nursery, maintaining high standards of care, education, safeguarding and professional practice across the setting.
As this is a brand-new nursery, you will have the opportunity to help shape the nursery from the beginning and grow with the company as it develops.
Supporting the Nursery Manager
- Work closely with the Nursery Manager to ensure the effective day-to-day running of the nursery.
- Support the Manager with the implementation of nursery policies, procedures and standards.
- Take responsibility for the nursery in the Manager’s absence when required.
- Help identify areas for improvement and support the implementation of agreed actions.
- Communicate effectively with the Manager and Directors about the running of the nursery, staff and children’s needs.
- Support the development of the nursery as it grows.
Leadership & staff
- Lead, support and motivate staff across the nursery.
- Provide guidance, support and positive role modelling to practitioners.
- Support Room Leaders in their roles and help maintain consistent standards across rooms.
- Support staff induction, training, supervision and ongoing development.
- Help identify staff training and development needs.
- Encourage a positive, respectful and supportive team culture.
- Deal with day-to-day staffing issues and support the Manager with more complex matters where required.
- Promote good communication and teamwork throughout the nursery.
Children’s care, learning & development
- Help ensure children receive a high standard of care and education in line with the EYFS.
- Promote children’s safety, wellbeing and individual development.
- Support Room Leaders and staff with children’s observations, assessments and development tracking.
- Ensure children’s individual needs, interests and next steps are recognised and supported.
- Promote high-quality interactions between staff and children.
- Help ensure activities and experiences are appropriate, engaging and responsive to children’s needs.
- Maintain high standards of practice across the nursery.
Safeguarding & welfare
- Take an active role in safeguarding and child protection.
- Follow all safeguarding policies and procedures and ensure staff understand their responsibilities.
- Support the Manager with safeguarding concerns and referrals where appropriate.
- Promote children’s health, safety and wellbeing at all times.
- Ensure appropriate records are maintained and concerns are reported promptly.
- Support the implementation of health, safety and hygiene procedures.
Parents & families
- Build positive and professional relationships with parents and carers.
- Help create a welcoming and inclusive nursery environment.
- Listen to families and respond appropriately to their concerns and feedback.
- Work in partnership with parents to support children’s learning and development.
- Support Room Leaders and staff in maintaining strong relationships with families.
Quality & compliance
- Support the Manager in ensuring the nursery meets EYFS and regulatory requirements.
- Help maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, health and safety.
- Support internal and external inspections and audits.
- Help implement recommendations and actions arising from inspections and audits.
- Ensure policies and procedures are followed consistently.
- Contribute to reviewing and improving nursery practice.
- Level 3 childcare qualification or equivalent.
- Strong working knowledge of the EYFS.
- Good understanding of child development.
- Good knowledge of safeguarding and relevant childcare legislation.
- Previous leadership experience in an early years setting, either as a Deputy Manager or as a Room Leader leading a larger room and team.
- Experience of supporting, guiding and developing other staff.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Good organisational and administrative skills.
- Ability to work confidently, take responsibility and make decisions when required.
- A professional attitude and genuine passion for working with children.
- Experience working with parents, SENCOs and other professionals to support children with additional needs.
- Knowledge and experience of supporting children with SEND.
- Previous experience as a Deputy Nursery Manager.
- Experience of an Ofsted inspection and an understanding of the inspection process.
- Experience supporting staff supervision, training and development.
- Paediatric First Aid.
- Level 2 Food Hygiene.
- Early Years degree or working towards one.
- Experience supporting audits and implementing improvement actions.
- Experience working within a new or developing nursery.
Lampstand Learning will be a pack-away nursery, so the Deputy Manager will also need to be hands-on and willing to support the practical running of the setting.
This includes helping the team set up and pack away furniture, equipment and resources each day, and safely moving appropriate items as required.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.
Join Lampstand Learning and grow with us.
We want to invest in people who want to build a long-term career with us. As the company grows, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility and progress into future leadership and management roles.
We are looking for someone who wants to make a real difference, is proud of their work and wants to be part of building something special.
Apply now