Deputy Manager

Kids Planet Day Nurseries; Preston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Health plan

Free meals

KP Academy training

Enhanced leave

Wellbeing rewards

Long service awards

Birthday off

Competitive salary

Pension plan

Holiday allowance

Job summary

Kids Planet Preston is seeking a Deputy Manager to help run the nursery, ensuring high-quality care and robust EYFS delivery. You’ll lead the team, build warm relationships with families, and work with external agencies to support each child’s growth.

You’ll uphold safeguarding standards and bring leadership experience to create a positive, engaging learning environment. We offer training through KP Academy, wellbeing rewards, enhanced leave, and a supportive central team to help you thrive in a

Qualifications

• Must hold Level 3 qualification in a UK recognised early years subject and be able to demonstrate strong EYFS knowledge.
• Extensive safeguarding knowledge and experience leading a nursery team is required.
• Proven leadership experience within a nursery setting and the ability to build trusted relationships with families.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Nursery Manager in running the nursery day to day to ensure smooth operations.
• Lead and support the nursery team, promoting high standards of care and education.
• Collaborate with external agencies to support each child’s development and wellbeing while safeguarding all pupils.

Skills

Leadership

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding

Stakeholder communication

Education

UK Level 3 Early Years qualification

Nursery management experience

Job description

Kids Planet is an independent, family run group of nurseries providing the highest standard of nursery care across the UK.

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Preston as a Deputy Manager!

We're now looking for a Deputy Manager to join our team, someone who's ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.

Why Kids Planet Preston?

• Large garden area
• Ofsted Outstanding nursery
• Great transport links
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Crowned NMT's Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• 80% Childcare Discount - T&Cs apply

What we offer our Deputy Managers:

• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.
• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it's all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
• Friendly central support team always on hand to help.

How you'll make a difference as a Deputy Manager:

• Through working alongside the manager to help with all areas of running the nursery, making sure everything runs smoothly day to day.
• By building warm, trusting relationships with families and work together with outside agencies to support each child's growth and wellbeing.
• Guiding and support the nursery team, keeping children safe at all times and bringing the EYFS to life in a way that's fun, engaging, and meets all requirements.

What a Deputy Manager needs:

• Must be at least Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Leadership experience within a nursery setting.

Sound like the place for you?

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self and flourish!

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.

Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.