Deputy manager

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Romsey; On-site; GBP 32,513 - 42,439; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Bonus up to £1,500

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Romsey Day Nursery and Preschool is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a dedicated early years team in Romsey. You will oversee day-to-day operations, ensure high-quality care and education, and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, safeguarding policy and practice across the nursery.

The role includes supporting staff development, coordinating training, and partnering with parents and Local Authority colleagues to drive occupancy and financial performance.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification is required.
• Experience in an Early Years leadership role is preferred (Deputy Manager/Assistant Manager).
• Experience with regulatory inspections and achieving Good/Outstanding outcomes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to succession planning, training and staff development plans.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding

Communication

Team mentoring

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery: Bright Horizons Romsey Day Nursery and Preschool

Job Type: Full Time 40 Hours

Salary: £32,513.00 £42,439.50 (dependent on qualifications and experience)

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 Romsey nursery.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 75% for first child*
• Competitive bonus of up to £1,500, awarded in line with Ofsted inspection outcomes
• 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
• 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.

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

INSDH

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.