Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons UK; Eastleigh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A notable childcare organization in Eastleigh seeks a Deputy Manager to lead and support a team in delivering exceptional care and education. This role involves managing safeguarding policies, overseeing the nursery’s operations, and contributing to the professional development of staff. The ideal candidate will have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and leadership experience in early years settings, ensuring compliance and quality in childcare services. Join a respected company with a strong culture of support and development.

Benefits

Childcare discount for first child

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension benefits

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development access

Qualifications

• Experience in an Early Years leadership role, ideally as a Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, or similar.
• Experience participating in regulatory inspections leading to positive outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, support, and inspire the team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Oversee day-to-day nursery operations and management of safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to training and professional development plans.

Skills

Decision making

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication techniques

Education

Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Chandlers Ford Day Nursery

Salary – From £31,262.40per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Chandlers Ford

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 ourChandlers Ford Nursery.

Our 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

*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

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.

If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today!

We look forward to receiving your application!

If you experience any problems, please [e-mail] we will be happy to help.