Deputy Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 75%

Bonus up to £1,500

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development programme

Job summary

Bright Horizons Palmers Green Nursery and Preschool in Palmers Green, London, is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a team and deliver outstanding early years education and care. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, oversee daily operations, ensure safeguarding compliance, and support staff development and partnerships with families and professionals.

This 64-place setting offers a warm home‑like environment, a generous benefits package, and clear career progression within a trusted

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience in an Early Years leadership role (e.g. Deputy Manager or similar).
• Experience with regulatory inspections and achieving a Good/Outstanding outcome.
• Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge.
• Ability to build trust and strong partnerships with colleagues and parents.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and adults.

Responsibilities

• As Deputy Manager, lead and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee safeguarding policies.
• Support succession planning, training, and staff professional development.
• Maintain partnerships with colleagues, parents, Local Authority, and other professionals.
• Support commercial success through occupancy growth and budgeting.

Job description

Nursery

Bright Horizons Palmers Green Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary

Starting from £36,088 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location

Palmers Green, 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 Palmers Green Nursery and Pre-school, situated in the Palmers Green area of North central London, with great public transport links.

This stunning 64-place setting is based in a beautifully converted house, and features spacious and well-resourced rooms, as well as an amazing garden and terrace area complete with play equipment, perfect for outdoor teaching and learning!

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.