Deputy Manager – Foundation Unit (Pre-school Lead)

Charnwood Nursery & Pre-school; Thurmaston; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A local early years educational facility is looking for a Deputy Manager to lead a team and enhance children’s learning experiences. The role involves hands-on leadership, mentoring practitioners, and ensuring high-quality early years education. Ideal candidates should have a Level 3 qualification in Early Years and a passion for nurturing both staff and children. This position offers a competitive salary of around £33,000 with a team-oriented environment focused on collaborative growth and positive relationships.

Qualifications

• Confidence in leading others, strengthening practice and supporting team development.
• Passion for learning and a warm, people-first leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Nurture and mentor team members to enhance their skills.
• Lead the development of engaging learning experiences for children.
• Ensure effective communication and partnerships with parents.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Mentoring

Creativity

Strong Communication

Education

Relevant Early Years Qualification – Level 3 or above

Job description

Muddy knees. Magic moments. Serious early years practice.

Our Foundation Unit is where big ideas, big imaginations and big futures begin and we are looking for a Deputy Manager who is ready to lead that adventure.

This isn’t a sit-back-and-supervise kind of role. This is hands‑on, sleeves‑rolled‑up leadership. You’ll coach, mentor and inspire a brilliant team of practitioners, helping them grow in confidence, curiosity and skill. Because when our team thrives, our children do too.

At CNPG, we believe early years is powerful work. The pre‑school year is huge, the spark before school readiness, the moment where children discover who they are, what they love and what they can do. Your job is to guide your team to make that magic happen every day.

What you’ll be doing

Coaching & Mentoring

You will nurture your team the way we nurture our children, with patience, high expectations and buckets of encouragement. Whether it’s helping a colleague reflect on practice, modelling outstanding interactions or celebrating their growth, you will be the person who lifts others higher.

Strengthening Practice

You will lead the development of playful, meaningful learning experiences that follow the child from child‑led projects to magical moments we could never have planned. You will keep practice strong, reflective and ambitious, ensuring our curriculum comes to life in the room every single day.

Leading the Foundation Unit

You will be the steady pair of hands that keeps the room flowing beautifully – routines, communication, parent partnerships and transitions. When things get busy (and they will!), you will bring the big energy and calm leadership our children and team love.

Building Confident Children

You will make sure the key person approach stays at the heart of the room because Positive relationships shape confident learners.

Who we’re looking for

Someone who:

• ✔ Loves learning – for themselves and their team
• ✔ Leads with heart – calm, warm and people‑first
• ✔ Sees the magic in the messy – and isn’t afraid to get stuck in
• ✔ Brings big energy – because pre‑schoolers keep us on our toes
• ✔ Sets the bar high – then helps the team reach it
• ✔ Thinks creatively – because learning here is a “messy, magical adventure”

If you’re looking for a role where you can shape practice, grow a team and make a real difference to school readiness — this is it.

The Important Stuff

• Salary: c. £33,000 (DOE & quals)
• Hours: Four days, 7:30 am – 6 pm
• Setting: Bright, spacious pre‑school room packed with laughter & learning.
• Qualification: Relevant Early Years Qualification – Level 3 or above
• Experience: Confidence in leading others, strengthening practice and supporting team development.

Why you’ll love working with us

We’re more than a team, we are family. We back each other, uplift each other and laugh a lot. We celebrate the wins, support through the challenges and always keep the children at the centre of everything.

From coaching opportunities to leadership development and the chance to truly influence the quality of our provision, this role will help you grow into the leader you want to be.

It’s full‑on. It’s joyful. It’s meaningful.

And it’s the best job you’ll ever do.