Deputy Nursery Manager

Job summary

About Us

Awesome Daycare-SPAH  is a vibrant, child-centred nursery setting committed to providing the highest quality early years education and care. We are a dedicated, passionate team who put children's wellbeing, development, and happiness at the heart of everything we do. Our setting is warm, welcoming, well-resourced, and built on strong foundations of safeguarding, family partnership, and outstanding practice.

We are now looking for an exceptional Deputy Nursery Manager to join our leadership team — someone who shares our values, raises our standards, and helps us continue to grow.

The Role

This is a pivotal leadership post within our setting. As Deputy Nursery Manager, you will work closely alongside the Nursery Manager to ensure the smooth, compliant, and high-quality operation of the nursery. You will be fully capable of standing in for the Nursery Manager in their absence and will take an active lead on quality assurance, regulatory compliance, staff development, and the continuous improvement of our systems and practice.

This is not simply a step up from practitioner level — we are looking for a confident, knowledgeable, and driven professional who can operate with authority and contribute meaningfully to the strategic development of our nursery.

What You Will Be Doing

•  Leading and managing the setting in the Nursery Manager's absence, taking full responsibility for all operational and regulatory matters

•  Supporting the review, development, and implementation of nursery systems and policies to ensure statutory compliance

•  Maintaining an up-to-date, working knowledge of Ofsted's Early Years Inspection Framework and ensuring the setting is inspection-ready at all times

•  Leading on quality assurance, monitoring planning, observations, tracking, and assessments across all rooms

•  Managing, supervising, and supporting the professional development of staff

•  Acting as a key safeguarding lead, promoting child protection best practice across the team

•  Building outstanding relationships with children, families, and external professionals

•  Ensuring the nursery environment is safe, stimulating, compliant, and reflects our child-centred ethos

About You

We are ideally looking for someone with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), or a strong degree-level qualification in Early Years or Childcare Management, combined with meaningful experience in a nursery leadership role. However, we will also consider outstanding candidates with a minimum Level 5 qualification and a strong track record in early years management.

•  A teaching qualification (QTS/EYTS) or minimum Level 5 in Early Years / Childcare Management (Level 3 considered alongside significant management experience)

•  Substantial experience working in an early years setting, with demonstrable leadership or management responsibility

•  Excellent knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework and how it is applied in practice

•  A strong understanding of Ofsted requirements and the regulatory landscape for early years settings

•  Experience of managing or supervising a team and supporting staff development

•  A confident, proactive approach to reviewing and improving nursery systems and practice

•  A thorough commitment to safeguarding, equal opportunities, and inclusive practice

•  Current enhanced DBS (or willingness to undergo one), current safeguarding certificate, and current Paediatric First Aid

What We Offer

•  A competitive salary of £34,000 – £40,000 per annum, commensurate with qualifications and experience

•  A genuine opportunity to shape and develop a growing nursery setting

•  A supportive, collaborative, and ambitious leadership team

•  Ongoing professional development and CPD opportunities

•  A warm, inclusive, and child-centred working environment

•  Statutory annual leave entitlement with a leave year running 1st September to 31st August

•  Auto-enrolment workplace pension

How to Apply

If you are passionate about early years education, ready to take on a meaningful leadership role, and committed to making a real difference to children and families, we would love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to:

Closing Date: Friday 1st May 2026

Awesome Childcare-SPAH is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check including a check against the Children's Barred List, satisfactory references, and proof of the right to work in the UK. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), or minimum Level 5 qualification in Early Years Education or Childcare Management

Experience as a Deputy Manager or Room Leader in a nursery setting

Substantial early years experience including a senior or leadership role

Knowledge of the EYFS Profile and moderation processes

In-depth knowledge and practical application of the EYFS statutory framework

Experience of preparing for or supporting an Ofsted inspection

Strong working knowledge of Ofsted inspection frameworks and early years regulatory requirements

Experience of developing or updating nursery policies and operational systems

Demonstrable ability to deputise confidently for the Nursery Manager across all areas of setting leadership

Knowledge of SEND provision within an early year’s context

Experience of leading, managing, motivating, and developing a staff team

Desirable Criteria

Food Hygiene Certificate

Experience of reviewing, implementing, and monitoring nursery systems, policies, and procedures to ensure statutory compliance

Fluency in a community or second language

Ability to conduct staff supervisions, appraisals, and performance management

Sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation including KCSIE and Working Together to Safeguard Children

Current enhanced DBS on the Update Service or willingness to undertake one

Current Paediatric First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain)

Current safeguarding training certificate (within 2 years)

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills

High standard of written English and numeracy

Proficient in IT including record keeping, planning systems, and nursery management software

Calm, solution-focused approach with sound judgement under pressure

Commitment to inclusion, equal opportunities, and diversity

5.  Additional Information

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check against the Children’s Barred List, satisfactory references, and proof of the right to work in the United Kingdom. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.