Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons; Eltham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary from £36,088 per annum

Childcare discount 75%

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits & 24/7 GP

Job summary

Bright Horizons Elizabeth Terrace Nursery in Eltham, London, is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead and mentor a caring team, uphold safeguarding policies, and contribute to professional development plans. You will support day-to-day operations and help ensure a warm, safe environment for children.

With an Ofsted rating of Good, the nursery emphasizes strong parent partnerships and community; you will drive occupancy, retention, and budget management while promoting the HEART values of Honesty,

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience in an Early Years leadership role (Deputy Manager/Assistant Manager or similar).
• Experience leading safeguarding/chid protection activities and regulatory inspections.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support a team to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to succession planning, training, and professional development plans.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Communication

Decision making

Partnership building

Regulatory compliance

Education

Level 3 Early Years

Job description

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.

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.

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.

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

• 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