Assistant Deputy Manager

N Family Club; Royal Tunbridge Wells; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Flexible working

34–35 days holiday

Development fund

No uniforms

Family-friendly leave

Childcare discount

Travel support

Wellbeing & socials

5-year / 10-year bonuses

Job summary

N Family Club in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is seeking an Assistant Deputy Manager to support the nursery leadership, guide Educators, and deliver outstanding education and customer service. You will help run nursery operations when the Deputy Manager is away and drive improvements to reach the group’s vision of exceptional early years education.

You will lead in a fast-paced environment, champion safeguarding, and coordinate with teams to maintain high standards of care and learning.

Qualifications

• Experience in nursery leadership roles (Room Manager / Deputy).
• Knowledge of UK regulatory requirements and inspections.
• Experience managing budgets, deployment, performance metrics.
• Background in delivering exceptional customer service.
• Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
• Paediatric First Aid / First Aid at Work and ongoing safeguarding training.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, colleagues and children.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for the team.
• Partner with the Deputy Manager to deliver outstanding education and curriculum.
• Champion safeguarding and wellbeing; act as Designated Safeguarding Lead when needed.
• Ensure the nursery self-evaluation is current and actions followed through.
• Oversee daily risk, health and safety checks to keep operations smooth.
• Coach and develop the team through feedback and training.
• Support staffing and operations – interviews, rotas, and room coverage.
• Drive continuous improvement and maintain outstanding practices.
• Contribute positively to the nursery’s culture and goals.

Skills

Nursery leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Budget management

Customer service

Early Years qualification

First Aid

Safeguarding training

Communication skills

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Paediatric First Aid

First Aid at Work

Safeguarding training

Job description

Assistant Deputy Manager

Department: Nursery Education

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Reporting To: Charlotte Nash

Compensation: £32,136 - £34,133 / year

Description

We’re more than just a nursery group. We’re the UK’s most innovative early-years education provider.

At N Family Club, we dreamed of reimagining early years education. Becoming a place that fosters creativity, embraces a curriculum-led approach, and prepares children for the modern world. We’re proudly making our dream a reality – and we want you to be a part of it!

As an Assistant Deputy Manager at N Family, you’ll support the nursery management team and lead our incredible Educators to deliver outstanding education, brilliant customer service, and a thriving team culture. As an early years’ expert, you’ll encourage passionate, innovative teaching and take the lead on nursery operations whenever the Deputy Manager is away.

In our fast-paced, ever-evolving environment, you’ll drive our Wildly Important Goals (WIG) forward, keep us improving, and help us achieve our vision of becoming the most loved early years education group in the UK.

Your key responsibilities

• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive as a team.
• Partner with the Deputy Manager to deliver outstanding education in line with the N Pedagogy and Curriculum.
• Champion safeguarding and wellbeing, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead when needed.
• Ensure the nursery self-evaluation is up to date and actions are followed through quickly and effectively.
• Keep our nursery shining – reviewing our daily risk and health and safety checks, you’ll make sure everything runs smoothly and safely.
• Coach, guide, and motivate your team through regular feedback and professional development.
• Support with staffing and operations – from interviews and rotas to helping in rooms when needed.
• Champion continuous improvement, keeping practice fresh, creative, and Outstandingly Outstanding.
• Bring positivity, flexibility, and passion to everything you do, helping N Family go beyond every single day.

Our Assistant Deputy Managers should have...

• Previous experience in a nursery leadership position (ideally as a Room Manager, Third in Charge, or Deputy Manager).
• Knowledge of local authority and regulatory requirements and inspection processes across the UK (desirable).
• Some experience in managing budgets, including capacity and team deployment, management of performance, and reporting metrics (desirable).
• A background in leading consistent and exceptional customer service.
• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
• Paediatric First Aid (12 hours), First Aid at Work, and a commitment to remain compliant.
• Relevant safeguarding/child protection training and be willing to update that training regularly.
• A genuine passion for education and changing the lives of children.
• Able to communicate with parents, external professionals, colleagues, and children effectively.

The N Advantage package

• Competitive salary – £32,136 - £34,133 per annum
• Performance bonus – Up to £1,200 annually.
• Flexible working – Choose 4-5 days a week for a work-life balance that suits
• you.
• Industry-leading holiday allowance – Up to 35 days, including a personal ‘Me’ day and Christmas closure.
• Development fund – £100 annual learning fund, plus paid N Academy training (level 3, EY Degrees, Forest School & more).
• No uniforms – £100 clothing allowance for style freedom!
• Family-friendly – Enhanced parental/fostering/neonatal leave after 2 years.
• Childcare – 40% discount, plus 6 emergency days annually.

And that’s not all!

• Loyalty rewards – 5-year bonus: around-the-world trip + 2 bonus weeks off. 10-year bonus: “Out of this world” experience + 2 more weeks off!
• N Coaching & Mentoring – Empowering team members with access to 3 ILM-approved coaching programmes.
• Referral scheme – Earn up to £1000 per successful hire.
• Amazing discounts – Save on groceries, shopping, fitness, and more.
• Travel support – Season ticket loans and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Socials & Wellbeing – Annual parties, team events, gym discounts, and online fitness.
• And much, much more!

Why N Tunbridge Wells, Mount Ephraim?

Join our fantastic team at this beautiful 124-place nursery in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Getting here is a breeze! Just a short walk from the train station, with the 407 and number 7 buses bringing you right to our doorstep.

At N Family Club, we’re reimagining early years education – and we want you to be a part of it. We’re a certified Great Place to Work and one of the UK’s most innovative early years groups. With top salaries, unmatched benefits, and real career progression, we put our people first.

What's next?