Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Chasetown; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary from £36,088

75% childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Bright Horizons Elizabeth Terrace Day Nursery and Preschool in Eltham, London, is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a caring team and deliver outstanding early years education and welfare.

You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensure safeguarding compliance, support staff development, and help drive occupancy and budgeting while building strong partnerships with parents and professionals.

We offer a salary from £36,088 per annum plus benefits such as childcare discount and enhanced leave.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience within an Early Years leadership role (Deputy Manager/Assistant Manager or similar).
• Experience with regulatory inspections leading to a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' outcome.
• Confident decision maker with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead; oversee safeguarding policies.
• Manage day-to-day running of the nursery and budgeting.
• Drive staff development and succession planning; maintain parent partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Elizabeth Terrace Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – From £36,088 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Eltham, London

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for a Deputy Manager to join our Elizabeth Terrace Nursery, situated in Eltham, London.

Our lovely nursery is based in the heart of Eltham high street and proudly holds an Ofsted rating 'Good'. We are a small community-based nursery who have built an amazing togetherness with our parent partnerships and homely environment. We have great transport links with a variety of bus routes on the high street and a 10-minute walk to Eltham station.

Our Benefits

• From £36,088 per annum
• 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
• Shift options: 40 hours over 4 or 5 days
• Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception 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.

What We’re Looking For

• 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

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

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.

We’re proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.