Deputy Manager

NFP People; Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11% employer pension contribution

Four-day working week (37.5h)

Training and development opportunities

Culture of learning

Work-life balance

Job summary

Ark Start is opening its first Yorkshire setting in Bingley. We are seeking a Level 3 qualified Deputy Manager to lead Ark Start Priestthorpe, ensuring exceptional care and learning for every child.

You will safeguard welfare, promote an enabling environment, and drive outdoor learning and forest activities. You will work with colleagues to deliver the curriculum, mentor staff, and foster strong partnerships with families while upholding Ark Start values of Aim High, Be Brave, Be Kind and Keep

Qualifications

• Must hold Level 3 qualification in early years/childcare.
• Experience leading a room and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Passion for young children and ability to engage outdoors/forest learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of high-quality learning experiences.
• Create a stimulating, inclusive environment reflecting Ark Start vision.
• Collaborate with colleagues to implement curriculum effectively.
• Lead by example in practice, supporting colleagues to maintain high standards.
• Build partnerships with families, including settling-in visits and tours.
• Support safeguarding, compliance and daily checks.
• Maintain children's records and family communications.
• Work with SENDCo to identify needs and embed strategies.
• Promote continuous improvement and teamwork to run the room to high standards.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Level 3 qualification

Job description

• About The Role

  Ark Start is growing - come and join us and be part of the founding team opening our first setting in Yorkshire! We are looking for a Level 3 qualified Deputy Manager to join the team at our brand new setting - Ark Start Priestthorpe in Bingley. In this role you will provide the highest standards of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual care for all children in your care, you'll ensure all children are safeguarded and their welfare and safety are promoted, and you'll work to provide an enabling environment in which all children can play, learn and develop. We are looking for people with genuine passion for young children, with the skill, creativity, commitment, energy, and enthusiasm required for leading room practice. You'll be able to take learning beyond the classroom and interact with outdoor and forest learning, cooking, and gardening - this won't just be another day in the classroom!

  Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the planning and delivery of high-quality learning experiences, adapting activities in response to children's interests, needs and teachable moments.
  • Create and maintain an engaging, stimulating and inclusive environment that reflects the Ark Start vision and supports children to learn, play and thrive.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to implement the curriculum effectively, identifying resource requirements and supporting the development of inspiring learning opportunities.
  • Lead by example in all aspects of practice, modelling the Ark Start approach and supporting colleagues to deliver consistently high standards of care, learning and professionalism.
  • Build strong partnerships with families, leading settling-in visits, nursery tours and, where appropriate, supporting sensitive conversations to ensure the best outcomes for children.
  • Foster a welcoming, open and supportive culture for families, providing guidance and signposting to additional services where appropriate.
  • Champion safeguarding, compliance and operational excellence, ensuring policies, procedures and daily checks are consistently followed and concerns are escalated appropriately.
  • Support the accurate maintenance of children's records and family communications, ensuring information is kept up to date through nursery systems.
  • Work closely with the SENDCo and wider team to identify and support children with additional needs, contributing to support plans and ensuring strategies are effectively embedded in daily practice.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and teamwork, ensuring the room operates to the highest standards.

• Benefits

  • At Ark Start, we believe that when our practitioners are supported, our children thrive. That's why we've created a working environment that prioritises wellbeing, professional growth, and a healthy work-life balance. We are pleased to be able to offer this role on a compressed working week basis - 37.5 hours over four working days.

    • Competitive Reward Package: We offer competitive hourly rates alongside an excellent 11% employer pension contribution, with no employee contribution required, helping you build financial security for the future.
    • Genuine Work-Life Balance: Our full-time roles are based on 37.5 hours per week, and we don't expect you to work beyond that. We are able to offer the working hours for this role to be worked over a four-day working week. We recognise that our practitioners do their best work when they have time to recharge, which is why we are committed to maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal time.
    • Training and Development: We are passionate about continuous professional development, but we don't believe learning should come at the expense of your personal time. Any required training or development will be scheduled within your working hours. It's our responsibility to fit development opportunities into your work schedule, not yours to complete them outside of work.
    • A Culture of Learning: As part of the wider Ark network, you'll benefit from access to a wealth of expertise, resources, and professional development opportunities. You'll join a collaborative community where continuous learning, knowledge-sharing, and career progression are actively encouraged and supported.
    • A Team That ValuesYou: At Ark Start, you're more than a practitioner. You'll be part of a mission-driven organisation that values your contribution, invests in your development, and supports you to build a rewarding and sustainable career in early childhood education.

• About Us

  Our dedicated team work together to ensure that every child has a joyful, engaging, and secure nursery experience and leaves us ready to start school happily and confidently. We are driven by our values in everything we do: Aim High, Be Brave, Be Kind and Keep Learning.

  Ark Start is at an exciting time in its evolution. We opened two nurseries in South London last year and aim to expand our reach over the coming years, including into Yorkshire. As we expand, we are looking for a Room Leader to join our founding team. We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for young children and with the skill, creativity, commitment, and energy to deliver excellent provision at Ark Start.

  Diversity and inclusion:

  We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone - staff and students - can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark's diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

  Safeguarding statement:

  Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

  Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend on the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark's safer recruitment process, please click this link.

  If you would like to hear more about this role or about Ark Start, please contact