Deputy Manager

Fennies Day Nurseries; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in South Croydon is seeking a Nursery Deputy Manager to lead a team while ensuring high standards of care and safeguarding. The role offers a competitive salary of up to £40,000 with potential bonuses, a supportive environment for personal and professional development, and a strong emphasis on collaboration within the team. Ideal candidates will hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification and possess excellent knowledge of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive pension scheme

Childcare discounts up to 60%

Quarterly performance bonuses

Well-being benefits

Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge of 'Birth to 5 Matters', typical child development stages, and a sound understanding of the EYFS.
• Hold a full and relevant L3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Must have minimum grade 4 or grade C in Maths and English GCSE or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nursery with integrity and ensure high standards of care.
• Champion collaboration and build strong relationships with families and staff.
• Drive continuous improvement and align the nursery with the company's mission.

Skills

Knowledge of 'Birth to 5 Matters'

Child development stages

Understanding of EYFS

First Aid skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Problem resolution

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent)

Job description

Job Title: Nursery Deputy Manager, room based

Location: South Croydon

Salary: Up to £40,000, with the potential to earn a further £3,000 in bonuses

Hours: 41.25 hours

Reports to: Nursery Manager

What You’ll Be Doing

Be All In: You bring deepcommitmentto leading the nursery with integrity, ensuring high standards of care, safeguarding, and operational excellence across every area of practice.

Come Together: You championcollaboration, building strong relationships with families, colleagues, and the wider community, and building a culture of trust, transparency, and shared purpose.

Be Yourself: You lead with confidentself-awareness, recognising your influence, supporting others with empathy, and creating an environment where individuality is respected and nurtured.

Go Further: You demonstrate strategicambitionby driving continuous improvement, leading performance, and aligning the nursery with Fennies’ mission, values, and long-term vision.

Competitive Pay & Perks: Salaries that match or outshine our competitors, a comprehensive pension scheme, and exclusive staff childcare discounts of up to 60% when you enrol your children at Fennies.

Leadership Community: Join the place where you belong; regular manager meetings to discuss, innovate, and socialise, with tailored learning and development sessions, mentoring, and coaching to help you grow as a leader.

Career Development: Targeted development plans, approachable managers, and bespoke guidance from our educational experts and specialists to support your professional journey.

Personalised Induction: A structured onboarding experience including 1:1 Clifton Strengths coaching to help you identify and build on your unique strengths as a manager.

Well-being Support: Access to well-being benefits, including our BUPA support team, team incentives, and up to 33 days of annual leave to help you recharge and thrive.

Celebration & Connection: Enjoy events that bring us together; summer BBQs in the sunshine and a Christmas party to remember!

Performance Recognition: £750 quarterly performance bonuses to reward your commitment and impact.

Daily Dining: The Fennies Café offers a great range of choices to replace your daily lunchbox, completely free.

Fennies Club: Celebrate your length of service with thoughtful recognition, including gift cards and commemorative plaques, as part of our commitment to honour your dedication.

What You Bring

• Excellent knowledge of 'Birth to 5 Matters', typical child development stages, and a sound understanding of the EYFS
• Full and relevant L3 or above Early Years qualification
• Have a minimum grade 4 or grade C in Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent)
• The correct implementation, audits, and requirements for the key person, safeguarding, health & safety, and confidentiality systems are met
• How to safely administer medication, First Aid, and critical care policies
• The preparations and responsibilities before Ofsted visits
• How to derive the solution for resolving issues and complaints as per Fennies' policies and procedures
• How to achieve the KPIs in your setting and ensure they are in line with Fennies' mission statement

Diversity & Inclusion

At Fennies, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. A diverse workforce brings a wealth of perspectives, driving innovation and excellence. We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Fennies Nurseries is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced criminal record check, and proof of identity will be required. In line with Safer Recruitment and Keeping Everyone Safe, we also carry out online searches for all shortlisted candidates, including Google and Social Media checks. Any relevant information found may be discussed during the interview process.