Deputy Nursery Manager

Primrose British Nursery; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 134,000 - 246,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Child places in the nursery

Job summary

Primrose British Nursery is seeking an experienced and highly capable Deputy Nursery Manager to join our senior leadership team in Abu Dhabi. You will lead day-to-day management, uphold high professional standards, safeguarding, and ensure staffing and routines support a safe, engaging learning environment.

You will drive EYFS implementation, conduct observations, provide coaching to teachers and assistants, and manage CPD.

Qualifications

• Recognised Early Years, Education or related qualification appropriate to a senior nursery leadership role; i.e Cache Level 5.
• Minimum 5 years experience working within an Early Years or nursery environment within the UAE.
• Strong knowledge of ADEK policies and Early Education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of the nursery and ensure safe, effective operation.
• Drive EYFS implementation and quality assurance through observations and QA activities.
• Coach and mentor teaching staff; deliver CPD and staff development.
• Ensure safeguarding, parent partnership, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff performance management

Education

Cache Level 5

Job description

Primrose British Nursery is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn and grow with confidence. The nursery offers a diverse range of programs and experiences that encourage learning through play, exploration, and discovery. The team focuses on building strong partnerships with families to support each child’s individual needs and developmental journey. Primrose British Nursery aims to create a happy, productive, and fulfilling experience for both children and parents, fostering a positive early years foundation.

Role Purpose

Primrose British Nursery is seeking an experienced and highly capable Deputy Nursery Manager to join our senior leadership team.

We welcome applications from experienced Nursery Managers, Deputy Nursery Managers, Assistant Managers and senior Early Years leaders who have the knowledge, leadership presence and professional judgement to operate at nursery management level.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Nursery Operations

Take an active leadership role in the day-to-day management and operation of the nursery.

Maintain high expectations for professional standards, staff conduct and accountability.

Ensure nursery routines, staffing and deployment support the safe and effective running of the setting.

Lead confidently in the absence of the Nursery Principal.

Support effective staff induction, probation, performance management and ongoing development.

Address concerns or underperformance professionally and promptly.

Contribute to nursery improvement planning and ensure agreed actions are followed through.

Quality of Teaching & Learning

Lead and monitor consistently high standards of Early Years teaching and learning.

Ensure the EYFS is implemented effectively and appropriately across all age groups.

Conduct regular learning walks, observations and quality assurance activities.

Identify strengths and areas requiring improvement across classrooms.

Provide clear, constructive and actionable feedback to teachers and Teaching Assistants.

Staff Development & CPD

Identify individual and whole-team development needs through observations, learning walks and day-to-day practice.

Provide coaching and mentoring to teaching staff.

Support and deliver relevant CPD based on identified nursery priorities.

Ensure training translates into improved classroom practice.

Maintain a strong safeguarding culture across the nursery.

Ensure children are appropriately supervised and staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

Ensure children's emotional wellbeing and security remain central to nursery practice.

Promote positive behaviour management and respectful interactions with children.

Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, recorded and escalated appropriately.

Ensure the nursery curriculum provides rich and meaningful learning experiences across all areas of the EYFS.

Monitor classroom environments to ensure they are engaging, purposeful and appropriate to children's developmental stages.

Support teachers to continuously improve provision

Staff Deployment & Teaching Assistants

Ensure staff are deployed effectively throughout the nursery.

Monitor the contribution of Teaching Assistants to children's learning, care and engagement.

Support class teachers to lead their classroom teams effectively.

Parent Partnership

Build positive, professional relationships with families.

Ensure parents receive clear, appropriate and timely communication about their child's care, learning and development.

Support families during settling-in and transitions.

Respond professionally to concerns and complaints and support effective resolution.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

Ensure nursery practice aligns with relevant ADEK requirements, policies and procedures.

Support preparation for ADEK visits, inspections and quality assurance processes.

Maintain accurate and appropriate records.

Monitor compliance with nursery policies relating to safeguarding, supervision, health and safety, attendance and children's care.

Person Specification

Recognised Early Years, Education or related qualification appropriate to a senior nursery leadership role; i.e Cache Level 5

Minimum 5 years experience working within an Early Years or nursery environment within the UAE.

Previous leadership or management experience within an early years setting.

Strong knowledge and practical understanding of the EYFS.

Experience conducting observations, learning walks/ quality assurance.

Strong knowledge of ADEK policies and Early Education requirements.

Confidence in managing staff performance and having difficult professional conversations.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Strong organisational and decision-making ability.

Highly Desirable

Current or previous experience as a Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager or equivalent within the UAE.

Experience preparing for inspections or regulatory visits.

Experience leading CPD, curriculum development or whole-nursery improvement initiatives.

What We Offer

Generous annual leave

Child places in the nursery (subject to availability)