Deputy Manager - Maternity Cover

Bright Horizons UK; Banstead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in Banstead is seeking a Deputy Manager for a maternity cover role from December 2025 to January 2027. The ideal candidate will have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience in leadership roles, focusing on mentoring staff and ensuring high standards of care and education. This role offers competitive salary, benefits like generous leave, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 75% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension benefits

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development access

Qualifications

• Experience in an Early Years leadership role, ideally as a Deputy Manager.
• Strong knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection laws.
• Experience with regulatory inspections leading to positive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support team members.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Oversee nursery operations and management.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication

Decision making

Education

Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Banstead Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – From £34,694 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Banstead, Surrey

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 Banstead Nursery, situated in Banstead, Surrey. This is a maternity cover role from December 2025-January 2027.

This nursery offers a fantastic, purpose‑built nursery with specialist rooms designed for each developmental stage. Situated just off the A217, and within walking distance of Banstead village, the nursery has ample parking.

Our Benefits

• From £34,694 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
• Shift options: 40 hours over 4 or 5 days

*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

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.

If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today!

We look forward to receiving your application!

If you experience any problems, please email [e-mail] and we will be happy to help.