Deputy Manager - Kids Planet Mapperley

Kids Planet Day Nurseries Ltd.; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Health plan

Free meals

Training & development

Enhanced leave for family events

Wellbeing & rewards

Long service awards

Birthday leave

Pension

Holiday allowance

Support team

Job summary

Kids Planet Mapperley is seeking a Deputy Manager to cover maternity leave and help drive high standards of early years care.

You will work alongside the nursery manager, nurture relationships with families, and support staff to deliver exceptional EYFS-based learning. The role requires Level 3 qualification, safeguarding expertise, and leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Must hold a UK recognised Level 3 early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of the EYFS framework.
• Extensive safeguarding knowledge and experience in childcare settings.
• Leadership experience within a nursery setting is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the nursery manager with day-to-day operations to ensure smooth running.
• Build warm, trusting relationships with families and coordinate with external agencies to support each child’s growth and wellbeing.
• Lead and support nursery staff, keep children safe, and bring EYFS principles to life in an engaging way.

Skills

Level 3 Early Years

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding

Leadership

Education

Level 3 EY Qualification

Job description

Job Description

Posted Friday 17 July 2026 at 00:00

Kids Planet is an independent, family run group of nurseries providing the highest standard of nursery care across the UK.

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Mapperley as a Deputy Manager! This is a fixed-term role to cover maternity leave.

We’re now looking for a Deputy Manager to join our team, someone who’s ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.

Why Kids Planet Mapperley?

• We use our local parks and woods for Forest school sessions
• We have a beautiful, spacious garden that can be used all year round
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• 80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply

What we offer our Deputy Managers:

• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.
• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it’s all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
• Friendly central support team always on hand to help.

How you’ll make a difference as a Deputy Manager:

• Through working alongside the manager to help with all areas of running the nursery, making sure everything runs smoothly day to day.
• By building warm, trusting relationships with families and work together with outside agencies to support each child’s growth and wellbeing.
• Guiding and support the nursery team, keeping children safe at all times and bringing the EYFS to life in a way that’s fun, engaging, and meets all requirements.

What a Deputy Manager needs:

• Must be at least Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Leadership experience within a nursery setting.

Sound like the place for you?

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self and flourish!

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of safeguarding duties.

Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.