Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 75%

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited is seeking a Deputy Manager for the St Johns Wood Day Nursery & Preschool in London. You will lead and mentor a team, oversee safeguarding, and contribute to strong partnerships with families and professionals.

The role includes supporting development plans, managing day-to-day operations, and helping drive nursery performance. The position requires a Level 3+ Early Years qualification and leadership experience in a regulated setting, with DBS checks and

Qualifications

• Full Level 3 or above Early Years qualification required.
• Experience in an Early Years leadership role.
• Experience with regulatory inspections and achieving Good/Outstanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team to deliver high-quality care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee safeguarding policies.
• Support succession planning and staff development; manage budgets and occupancy.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Communication

Partnerships

Decision making

Regulatory experience

Education

Level 3+ Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons St Johns Wood Day Nursery & Preschool

Salary - £36,088.00 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location - St Johns Wood, NW8 0NH

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 are looking for an inspiring and experienced Deputy Manager to join our St Johns Wood Nursery.

Our nursery is situated in a leafy, residential area in St John's Wood, providing a pleasant working environment. The nursery is also conveniently located being just a short walk from St John's Wood and Swiss Cottage undergrounds! We are also a 5 minute walk from South Hampstead overground!

Our Benefits

• £36,088.00 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

*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.