Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons; Chandler's Ford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A nursery care provider in Chandler's Ford is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a dedicated team providing exceptional care and education. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring smooth nursery operations while mentoring staff and maintaining relationships with parents and professionals. This role requires significant leadership experience and a relevant qualification in Early Years. The position includes numerous benefits, including childcare discounts and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 75% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave plus paid Christmas closure

Pension

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development programme access

Qualifications

• Experience in an Early Years leadership role is essential.
• Confident decision maker with ability to provide support.
• Strong understanding of legislative requirements for working with children.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead overseeing nursery operations.
• Maintain partnerships with parents and professionals.

Skills

Leadership and mentoring

Strong knowledge of safeguarding

Effective communication

Education

Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, overseeing day to day running of the nursery and management of safeguarding and child protection policies. You will contribute to succession planning, training, and supporting team professional development plans, maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals (such as the Local Authority), and support the commercial success of the nursery through retention, occupancy growth, and maintaining budgets.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification
• Experience within an Early Years leadership role (ideally as a Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, Third in Charge or similar)
• Experience of participating with a regulatory inspection, leading to a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' outcome
• Confident decision maker, with previous experience providing support and leadership to others
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children
• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carers
• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults

Benefits

• Childcare discount of 75% for first child
• Enhanced parental leave
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach