Deputy Nursery Manager

N Family Club; Forest Hill; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Industry-leading holiday allowance

Development fund

No uniforms

Family-friendly leave

Childcare discount

Job summary

N Family Club in Forest Hill, London is seeking a Deputy Nursery Manager to lead a warm, inclusive team and deliver the N Pedagogy and Curriculum with passion.

You will champion safeguarding, oversee EYFS compliance, safety, and risk assessments, coach staff, help with staffing, rotas, and appraisals, and contribute to continuous improvement.

This role offers a competitive salary, generous holiday, development funds, and market-leading benefits as part of our 92-place nursery.

Qualifications

• Experience in a nursery leadership position.
• Experience in retaining and hiring new team members.
• Knowledge of UK local authority and inspection processes.
• Experience managing budgets and team deployment.
• Background in leading excellent customer service.
• Paediatric First Aid and First Aid at Work training.
• Safeguarding/child protection training and renewal willingness.
• Passion for education and child development.
• Able to communicate effectively with parents and staff.
• Solid decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for the team.
• Support the Nursery Manager and deliver education per the N Pedagogy and Curriculum.
• Champion safeguarding and wellbeing; act as Designated Safeguarding Lead when needed.
• Oversee health and safety, risk assessments, and EYFS compliance.
• Coach, guide, and motivate the team through feedback and development.
• Assist with staffing – interviews, rotas, and room coverage.
• Promote continuous improvement and outstanding practice.
• Bring positivity, flexibility, and passion to the role.

Skills

Nursery leadership

Hiring experience

Regulatory knowledge

Budget management

Customer service

Communication skills

Decision making

Team coaching

Staff development

Safeguarding training

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

We’re more than just a nursery group. We’re the UK’s most innovative early-years education provider. At N Family Club, we dreamed of reimagining early years education. Becoming a place that fosters creativity, embraces a curriculum-led approach, and prepares children for the modern world. We’re proudly making our dream a reality – and we want you to be a part of it!

Department: Nursery Management

Location: Forest Hill, London

Compensation: £34,694 - £46,696 / year

Your key responsibilities

• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive as a team.
• Support the Nursery Manager to ensure your team delivers outstanding education in line with the N Pedagogy and Curriculum.
• Champion safeguarding and wellbeing, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead when needed.
• Keep our nursery shining – overseeing our health and safety, risk assessments, and EYFS compliance to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely.
• Coach, guide, and motivate your team through regular feedback and professional development.
• Support with staffing and operations – from interviews and rotas to helping in rooms when needed.
• Champion continuous improvement, keeping practice fresh, creative, Outstandingly Outstanding.
• Bring positivity, flexibility, and passion to everything you do, helping N Family go beyond every single day.

Our Deputy Nursery Managers should have

• Previous experience in a nursery leadership position (ideally as a Deputy Manager, Third in Charge, or Nursery Manager).
• Experience in retaining and hiring new team members.
• Knowledge of local authority and regulatory requirements and inspection processes across the UK.
• Some experience in managing budgets, including capacity and team deployment, management of performance, and reporting metrics.
• A background in leading consistent and exceptional customer service.
• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
• Paediatric First Aid (12 hours), First Aid at Work, and a commitment to remain compliant.
• Relevant safeguarding/child protection training and be willing to update that training regularly.
• A genuine passion for education and changing the lives of children.
• Able to communicate with parents, external professionals, colleagues, and children effectively.
• A solid decision-maker, with the ability to support and achieve our WIGs (Wildly Important Goals).

The N Advantage package

• Competitive salary – £34,694 - £46,696 per annum
• Performance bonus – Up to £1,750 annually.
• Industry-leading holiday allowance – Up to 35 days, including a personal ‘Me’ day and Christmas closure.
• Development fund – £100 annual learning fund, plus paid N Academy training (level 3, EY Degrees, Forest School & more).
• No uniforms – £100 clothing allowance for style freedom!
• Family-friendly – Enhanced parental/fostering/neonatal leave after 2 years.
• Childcare – 40% discount, plus 6 emergency days annually.

And that’s not all!

• Loyalty rewards – 5-year bonus: around-the-world trip + 2 bonus weeks off. 10-year bonus: “Out of this world” experience + 2 more weeks off!
• N Coaching & Mentoring – Empowering team members with access to 3 ILM-approved coaching programmes.
• Referral scheme – Earn up to £1000 per successful hire.
• Amazing discounts – Save on groceries, shopping, fitness, and more.
• Travel support – Season ticket loans and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Socials & Wellbeing – Annual parties, team events, gym discounts, and online fitness.
• And much, much more!

Why N Forest Hill?

Join our vibrant team at this 92-place nursery in Forest Hill, South East London.

Getting here is a breeze! We’re just a short walk from Forest Hill station with direct Overground and National Rail links, plus excellent local bus routes.

Why N Family Club?

At N Family Club, we’re reimagining early years education – and we want you to be a part of it. We’re a certified Great Place to Work and one of the UK’s most innovative early years groups. With top salaries, unmatched benefits, and real career progression, we put our people first.