Deputy Nursery Manager

Willing Recruitment; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted childcare

Annual leave

Parental leave

Training & development

Career progression

Job summary

Willing Recruitment is seeking a Deputy Nursery Manager for a Maidstone setting. The role involves supporting the Nursery Manager, leading a team of practitioners, and delivering a high-quality EYFS curriculum.

You will play a hands-on leadership role, mentoring staff, monitoring standards, and ensuring safeguarding and regulatory compliance. The position offers a salary of up to £42,000 per year and full-time, year-round hours.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Early Years qualification or above is required.
• Senior EYFS experience essential with minimum Third in Charge experience.
• Deputy Nursery Manager experience is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS framework and child development.
• Excellent safeguarding and regulatory understanding.
• Experience mentoring and developing nursery practitioners.
• Confident monitoring standards and addressing improvements.
• Strong communication, organisation and decision-making skills.
• Hands-on leadership approach.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day running of the setting alongside the Nursery Manager.
• Lead by example, guiding practitioners across the nursery.
• Coach and develop team members to maintain high standards of EYFS practice.
• Support delivery of an engaging curriculum that builds confidence and school readiness.
• Ensure individual needs and interests are reflected in learning experiences.
• Encourage use of indoor and outdoor environments to enhance learning.
• Build strong relationships with children and families.
• Assist with staffing, routines and smooth nursery operations.
• Maintain safeguarding, health and safety and EYFS standards.
• Possibly deputise for the Nursery Manager when required.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Organisation

Decision-making

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Third in Charge experience

Job description

Deputy Nursery Manager Willing Recruitment Maidstone, United Kingdom

Deputy Nursery Manager

Up to £42,000 per year | Full Time | All Year Round

The nursery has been thoughtfully designed around children's development, with engaging rooms that evolve with them as they grow and a strong focus on building the skills they'll need for a successful transition to school.

Outside, a large and varied garden extends children's learning beyond the nursery rooms. With a playground, mud kitchen, bikes and plenty of space for adventures, children are encouraged to get active, investigate their surroundings and learn through real experiences.

We're looking for an experienced early years leader to join as Deputy Nursery Manager, working alongside the Nursery Manager to support the team, maintain high standards and ensure the nursery continues to provide exceptional experiences for children and families.

What We're Looking For

• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above.
• Previous senior early years experience is essential, with a minimum of Third in Charge experience.
• Deputy Nursery Manager experience would be advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework and child development.
• Excellent understanding of safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting, mentoring and developing nursery practitioners.
• Confidence monitoring standards and addressing areas for improvement.
• Strong communication, organisation and decision-making skills.
• A visible, hands‑on approach to leadership.

What You'll Receive

• Up to £42,000 per year
• Heavily discounted childcare
• Competitive annual leave package
• Enhanced parental leave
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Opportunity to continue developing your nursery management career

Your Role

• Work closely with the Nursery Manager to support the day-to-day running of the setting.
• Lead by example, providing guidance and support to practitioners across the nursery.
• Coach and develop team members, encouraging consistently high standards of early years practice.
• Support the delivery of an engaging curriculum that builds children's confidence, independence and school readiness.
• Ensure children's individual interests and developmental needs are reflected within their learning experiences.
• Encourage practitioners to make full use of the nursery's indoor and outdoor environments.
• Build strong and positive relationships with children and their families.
• Support staffing, routines and the smooth organisation of the nursery day.
• Maintain excellent safeguarding, health and safety and EYFS standards.
• Deputise for the Nursery Manager, confidently taking responsibility for the setting 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: WILL252943/DB