Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery seeks a Deputy Manager to inspire and support their team while ensuring exceptional care and education for children. The role includes responsibilities such as overseeing safeguarding practices, team development, and ensuring the nursery's commercial success. Join a company that values honesty, excellence, and teamwork.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 75% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

Professional development programme access

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in Early Years leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection.
• Ability to build strong working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee nursery operations.
• Support team development and maintain partnerships with parents.

Skills

Decision Making

Leadership

Safeguarding Knowledge

Communication

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification or above

Job description

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Nursery – Bright Horizons Potten End Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary –Starting from £31,262.40 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Hemel Hempstead, HP1

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 Potten End Nursery. The beautiful 92-place setting is based in converted barns, with spacious and well-resourced rooms, as well as a fantastic large garden area complete with play equipment, and animals! The nursery is Ofsted rated 'Good' and benefits from plenty of onsite parking.

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

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!