Deputy Nursery Manager

Willingcare; Coventry; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Six weeks' paid nursery closure

Bank holidays

Workplace pension

Training and professional development

On-site car park

Job summary

Willingcare is seeking a Deputy Nursery Manager to join our established early years setting in Coventry. The role is senior and supernumerary leadership, working closely with Head of Nursery to oversee toddler and pre-school rooms, support practitioners and maintain high standards of care, education and safeguarding.

The post is 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday (8:30am–5:30pm or 9:00am–5:30pm) with a salary of £29,000 per annum and six weeks' paid nursery closure annually.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a nursery setting.
• Strong communication with children, families and staff.
• Ability to develop and mentor practitioners within a team.
• Solid understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Nursery with day-to-day leadership and organisation.
• Oversee toddler and pre-school rooms, coordinate staff and routines.
• Provide guidance and professional support to practitioners to strengthen practice.
• Monitor quality of care and education and identify areas for development.
• Support high-quality EYFS practice and inclusive provision.
• Build positive relationships with parents and carers; be a senior point of contact.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff development

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Job Description

Deputy Nursery Manager

£29,000 per annum

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday – 8:30am–5:30pm or 9:00am–5:30pm

You will be working in a senior, supernumerary leadership position within an established early years nursery, working closely alongside the Head of Nursery and wider leadership team.

The role provides dedicated time to oversee the toddler and pre-school rooms, support practitioners and contribute to the day-to-day organisation and quality of the setting without being routinely included within staffing ratios.

You will be a visible and approachable senior presence, helping to develop practice, support families and maintain high standards of care, education and safeguarding. The role also provides scope to strengthen your leadership skills through ongoing training, mentoring and professional development.

Why This Role Is Worth Considering

• £29,000 per annum, with some flexibility depending on experience and qualifications
• Genuine supernumerary leadership position, allowing dedicated time for leadership and staff support
• Six weeks' paid nursery closure/holiday each year, including two weeks at Christmas, two weeks at Easter and two weeks at the start of summer
• Bank holidays in addition to the six weeks' paid nursery closure
• Workplace pension scheme
• Access to training, mentoring and professional development, with opportunities to develop your leadership skills
• Large on-site car park available for staff

What You’ll Need

• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification
• Previous Room Leader or equivalent senior nursery experience
• Good understanding of the EYFS, child development and early years practice
• Secure knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities
• Experience supporting and developing other practitioners within a nursery environment
• Confident communication skills when working with children, colleagues and families
• A supportive and approachable leadership style, with the ability to take responsibility when required

What You’ll Do

• Support the Head of Nursery with the effective day-to-day leadership and organisation of the setting
• Oversee the toddler and pre-school rooms, coordinating staff, routines and daily priorities
• Provide guidance, encouragement and professional support to practitioners, helping to strengthen their practice
• Monitor the quality of care and education, identifying areas for development and improvement
• Support high-quality EYFS practice, including children's development, assessment, planning and inclusive provision
• Build positive relationships with parents and carers, acting as an approachable senior point of contact
• Promote strong safeguarding, safe working practices and children's wellbeing, taking appropriate leadership responsibility when required

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with safeguarding responsibilities.

Reference: WILL262900/JC