Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Reading; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

Annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Bright Horizons Purley Day Nursery and Preschool is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a caring team in delivering high standards of early years education and safeguarding. Based at Purley, near London, you will support the Designated Safeguarding Lead and drive continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and regulatory compliance.

You'll bring a Level 3+ Early Years qualification and proven leadership experience in a nursery setting.

Qualifications

• Full Level 3+ Early Years qualification.
• Experience in a leadership role in early years.
• Experience with regulatory inspections leading to Good/Outstanding.
• Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge.
• Ability to build trust with colleagues and parents.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor nursery staff to deliver high‑quality care.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage safeguarding policies.
• Oversee daily operations and occupancy budgets.
• Support staff development and stakeholder partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Team mentoring

Communication with parents

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification or higher

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Purley Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – From £36,088 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Purley, London

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 Purley Nursery, situated next to Purley railway/tube station.

The nursery offers extra curricular activities such as PE lessons on a Monday morning for over 2 year olds, and on a weekly basis, 'Theatrebugs' sessions for all ages. These sessions allow children to explore stories in new ways through songs, instruments, and imaginary play.

Our Benefits

• From £36,088 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
• 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

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.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

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.

Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.