Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; St. Day; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £36,088

Childcare discount 75%

Enhanced parental leave

25 days leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Spitalfields Day Nursery & Preschool in London is seeking an experienced Deputy Manager to lead a welcoming team and maintain high standards of care and education.

You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, oversee day-to-day nursery operations and safeguarding, and support staff development while building strong partnerships with parents and professionals.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in an Early Years setting.
• Strong communication with children, families and staff.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and safeguarding policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support a team to deliver high standards of care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee safeguarding policies.
• Support succession planning and staff professional development.
• Maintain partnerships with parents, colleagues and external professionals.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Spitalfields Day Nursery & Preschool

Salary – £36,088.00 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Spitalfields, 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 are looking for an inspiring and experienced Deputy Manager to join our welcoming, well-established nursery. We are conveniently located close to the famous Spitalfields Market and several over and underground stations including Liverpool Street station and underground, Fenchurch Street station and Cannon Street station

Join a setting where outdoor exploration and hands‑on learning are at the heart of every day. Our beautiful, landscaped garden offers endless opportunities for children to get stuck in—from gardening club and mud kitchen play to growing their own fruits and vegetables.

We deliver a rich, well‑rounded curriculum designed to support every child’s development, alongside exciting extras like language sessions and Boogie Mites music. With free‑flow access between bright, well‑equipped rooms and our engaging outdoor space, we foster independence, confidence, and curiosity through activities tailored to each child

Our Benefits

• £36,088.00 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

*Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional 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.