Deputy Manager - Term Time only

Shorefields; Brentwood; Hybrid; GBP 16,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Lunch

Free Parking

Birthday off on us!

Free Uniform

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Treehouse Club is seeking a Deputy Preschool Manager to lead the nursery team under the Preschool Manager, ensuring day‑to‑day operations meet high standards in safeguarding, teaching, and care. You will participate in safeguarding, EYFS compliance and professional practice while guiding staff to deliver excellent learning experiences, both indoors and outdoors.

This role involves managing a motivated team, fostering inclusive practices and engaging with parents and professionals to support

Qualifications

• An approved Level 3 or higher Early Years qualification.
• Experience of Deputy Management or senior role in an Early Years Setting.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and statutory training.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the team, working with the Preschool Manager to ensure smooth day‑to‑day nursery operations.
• Support safeguarding, teaching, learning, care and professional practice to high standards.
• Lead a motivated team and ensure EYFS and Ofsted compliance.
• Deliver high‑quality experiences for children both indoors and outdoors.

Skills

Leadership

Team motivation

Parent communication

Outdoor learning

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

Organisational skills

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Deputy Management experience

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC2874958-1S Position Type: Early Years Pay Range: £13.90 per hour

Position Start Date: 12/10/2026 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 01/10/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: 05/10/2026

The Treehouse Club has an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Preschool Manager to lead and inspire the Team, you will work closely with the Preschool Manager to ensure the effective day-to-day operation of the nursery.

You will be a positive role model for the team and play an important role in maintaining high standards of safeguarding, teaching, learning, care and professional practice.

You will support the Manager in leading a motivated and effective team, ensuring that the nursery complies with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Ofsted requirements and the nursery's policies and procedures.

The role will include a significant amount of time working directly with children and supporting practitioners to deliver high-quality experiences both indoors and outdoors.

We can offer you

• Free Lunch
• Free Parking
• Birthday off on us!
• Free Uniform
• Employee Assistance Programme

Working 7.30am - 6.30pm over 4 days, Monday to Friday Term Time only.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about working with young children, and an inspirational role model for children and staff.
• Experienced in an Early Years setting, preferably at a senior or management level.
• Enthusiastic about forestry, outdoor learning and nature-based education.
• Knowledgeable about the EYFS and safeguarding requirements.
• Able to lead, motivate and support a team effectively.
• Confident communicating with parents, carers and professionals.
• Organised, reliable and able to work effectively under pressure.
• Committed to inclusion and supporting children with additional needs.
• Passionate about providing children with high-quality experiences and opportunities to learn through play and exploration.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all appropriate weather conditions.
• Positive, proactive and willing to get involved in all aspects of nursery life.

Qualifications

• An approved Level 3 or higher Early Years qualification
• Experience of Deputy Management or senior role in an Early Years Setting.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to completing all required safeguarding and statutory training.

Safer Recruitment

The Treehouse Forestry Nursery and Out of School Club applies safer recruitment policies to ensure that all of our staff are suitable to work with children and young people. We advise you in advance that two people will be involved in your recruitment process. Both people will partake in your interview and each person will individually review all applications and paperwork to ensure that you are suitable for the role.

Part of our safer recruitment procedure includes obtaining references for you. One of these references must be your latest employer. If you are unable to obtain a reference before the interview from your current employer then you must obtain references from the employer before that as well as one other reference.

References from former employers are preferable over any other referee. Please note that we will need to obtain a reference from your latest employer before completing our processes for you to commence working for us.

We are at liberty to advise you that if there are gaps in your employment history or any other information that gives us cause for concern, we will contact your former employers to obtain further information and satisfy any concerns that we have.

Eligibility to work within the UK

We will need to obtain evidence from you to confirm that you are eligible to work within the UK. We confirm that this information, as well as all personal information, will be held in our Staff Central Record.

We do not offer sponsorship to overseas workers.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.