Deputy Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

75% childcare discount for first child

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave + bank holidays +

Pension

Wellbeing benefits incl. 24/7 virtual

Job summary

Bright Horizons Peckham Rye Nursery in Peckham, London, is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a team, oversee daily operations, and act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.

You will support partnerships with parents and professionals, drive occupancy and budgets, and ensure high standards of care and education. A Level 3+ Early Years qualification and leadership experience are required.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience in an Early Years leadership role (Deputy Manager or similar).
• Experience of participating in regulatory inspections resulting in a 'Good' or 'Outstanding'.
• Confident decision maker with leadership experience.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and understanding of child protection laws.
• Ability to build trust with colleagues and parents.
• Effective communication with children and adults.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, overseeing safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to occupancy growth, budgets, and partnerships with parents and Local Authority.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Safeguarding

Partnership building

Communication

Decision making

Team mentorship

Education

Level 3+ Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Peckham Rye Day Nursery and Preschool

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

Location – Peckham, 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 Peckham Rye Nursery, situated in Peckham, London.

At Bright Horizons Peckham Rye, we provide a warm, nurturing environment where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence. Through exceptional care, strong parent partnerships, and enriching learning experiences, we support every child to thrive and develop a lifelong love of learning.

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’re proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.