Deputy Manager

Shepherds Hill Nursery; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Shepherds Hill Nursery in Harefield, near Uxbridge, is seeking a Deputy Manager to work in genuine partnership with our Manager. This role stays hands-on with the children and outdoors, not office-based; you will share day-to-day leadership with the Manager and help guide the small team.

We are a small independent nursery for ages 2–5 with a nature-led ethos. If you are warm, practical, and confident, with Level 3 EY qualification and strong EYFS safeguarding knowledge, we'd love to hear from

Qualifications

• Strong EYFS knowledge and safeguarding understanding.
• Hands-on leadership experience with children.
• Ability to lead and support staff.

Responsibilities

• Share day-to-day leadership with the Manager and the team.
• Be hands-on with children and outdoors throughout the day.
• Oversee safeguarding, development, and staff support.

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Leadership

Hands-on with children

Outdoor activities

Team building

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Deputy Nursery Manager – Hands-On Early Years Leader

Shepherds Hill Nursery, Harefield

£32,000–£35,000 depending on experience | 37.5 hours

Do you want to progress as an Early Years leader without leaving the children behind?

Shepherds Hill Nursery is looking for a Deputy Manager to work in genuine partnership with our Manager, sharing the day-to-day leadership of our small nursery while remaining very much part of the children’s everyday experience.

This is not an office-based Deputy role.

We are a small, independent nursery for children aged 2–5, with one nursery room, a close-knit team and a strong outdoor, nature-led ethos.

Our children explore, climb, investigate, create, get muddy and take appropriate risks.

And we join them.

The role

Our Deputy works alongside the Manager, children and team throughout the day.

We are looking for someone who can think things through with our Manager, use their own judgement, notice what needs doing and confidently take responsibility.

There is management and administration to do, but at Shepherds Hill leadership happens mainly alongside the children and staff.

If your ideal Deputy role involves gradually moving away from children and into an office, Shepherds Hill probably isn't for you.

But if you want genuine responsibility and influence while still doing the part of Early Years you love, we'd really like to hear from you.

Who we are looking for

You might already be a Deputy Manager.

Or you might be an experienced Room Leader, Third-in-Charge or Senior Practitioner who is ready for the next step.

You will need:

• a recognised full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above
• strong Early Years experience
• a sound understanding of the EYFS and safeguarding
• confidence to take charge in the Manager's absence
• the ability to lead, support and encourage colleagues
• a willingness to work hands-on with children and outdoors throughout the year

We are looking for someone who is warm, practical, organised and confident, with good judgement, initiative and a genuine enjoyment of young children.

About Shepherds Hill

We are small. Everybody helps.

We don't have several rooms, layers of management or managers spending most of their day in an office.

We believe young children need warm relationships, play, exploration, appropriate challenge and plenty of time outdoors.

Our approach is to make children's experiences as safe as necessary rather than as safe as possible.

Shifts:

between 7.45am and 5.15pm

Contract:

Permanent, year-round

Come and meet us

We want this to be the right job for you as much as we want to find the right person for us.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to visit Shepherds Hill, meet our Manager and team and see the nursery properly before interview.

Come and see the room, the garden, the woods, the mud and the children.