Deputy Nursery Manager

The Old Station Nursery Group; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare

31 days holiday

National College access

Volunteer day

Perkbox discounts

Blue Light Card

Birthday off

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery is seeking a Deputy Nursery Manager for Minster Yard in York. You will support the Nursery Manager to create a caring community where children can grow, families feel connected, and colleagues feel valued.

This role emphasizes leadership, staff mentorship, and safeguarding within a vibrant early years setting. You’ll lead with care, collaborate with your team, and ensure high-quality care and education in line with the EYFS.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification.
• Experience in Early Years with knowledge of EYFS and safeguarding.
• Ability to support and guide others and lead by example.
• Commitment to safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Supporting and mentoring colleagues, helping them build confidence and deliver thoughtful, high-quality care and education.
• Working with the Nursery Manager to keep the nursery running smoothly, taking responsibility in their absence.
• Guiding the team’s delivery of the EYFS through play and learning that reflect each child’s interests, strengths, and needs.
• Building trusting relationships with families and working with external professionals to support children’s development.
• Keeping safeguarding, safety, and children’s wellbeing at the heart of everyday decisions.
• Creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child, family, and colleague feels they belong.
• Sharing constructive feedback, welcoming ideas, and helping your team turn learning into better practice.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

EYFS knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Join Our Team as a Deputy Nursery Manager

Ready to help children grow and your team grow with them?

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing - little humans and big humans alike. As Deputy Nursery Manager at Minster Yard, you’ll support your Nursery Manager to create a community where children feel safe and can grow, families feel connected, and colleagues feel valued.

You’ll have space to share your experience, grow your own confidence as a leader, and help others discover what they’re capable of.

Why Join Our Team?

We take care of the people who care for our children and families. Here’s what that means for you:

• Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.
• Time to recharge: 31 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years of service.
• Space to grow: Access to The National College, with a library of courses and training to develop your practice and leadership.
• Connection to your community: One paid day each year to volunteer and support a cause that matters to you.
• Everyday support: With access to Perkbox, enjoy discounts on shopping, meals out, and everyday essentials, alongside wellbeing tools and online medical services. You’ll also be eligible for a Blue Light Card, helping your money go further with even more discounts.
• Recognition along the way: We celebrate the care and commitment you bring, with Employee of the Month recognition, long-service awards to mark your milestones, and referral bonuses for introducing friends or family to our team.

Pay: £33,571 per annum, based on experience (40 hours per week). £16.14 per hour

Hours: 38/40 hours per week, Monday-Friday across 4 days.

Location

Little Green Rascals Minster Yard

7 Minster Yard

York

North Yorkshire

YO1 7JD

Where You'll Be Working

Little Green Rascals Minster Yard is a truly unique nursery. Our goal at Little Green Rascals Minster Yard is to create a home-from-home environment, offering natural, locally sourced, and organic products whenever possible—ensuring no added nasties in our food or skincare. Our toys and resources are made from natural and sustainable materials, and even our electricity comes from an ethical supplier as we try everything we can do our bit to help our planet. Nestled in the heart of York, we are conveniently located in the heart of York city centre, with our main entrances on The Queen’s Path next to the Minster and on Deangate. We have five rooms - Wiggly Worms, Dancing Dragonflies, Little Ladybirds, Cheeky Hens and Preschool, as well as our own Forest School area. We look after up to 125 children per day from 0-4 years. We don't have any on-site parking, but we have plenty of local bus routes and some great local parking rates through an app if you need this, as well as being only an 8-minute walk from York train station. We have a bike store if you wish to cycle in too. There are some great perks on offer too - your birthday off each year, Perkbox and a veg box, to name a few! We look forward to welcoming you and showing you our amazing setting at Minster Yard!

What You'll Be Doing

Working alongside your Nursery Manager, you’ll help lead the nursery’s day-to-day life while staying closely involved in the care and learning within your base room.

One moment you might be supporting a colleague to bring a new activity to life. The next, you could be talking with a parent about their child’s progress or helping your team work through a challenge.

You’ll lead with care, curiosity, and a willingness to get involved. Your role will include:

• Supporting and mentoring colleagues, helping them build confidence and deliver thoughtful, high-quality care and education
• Working with the Nursery Manager to keep the nursery running smoothly, taking responsibility in their absence
• Guiding the team’s delivery of the EYFS through play and learning that reflect each child’s interests, strengths, and needs
• Building trusting relationships with families and working with external professionals to support children’s development
• Keeping safeguarding, safety, and children’s wellbeing at the heart of everyday decisions
• Creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child, family, and colleague feels they belong
• Sharing constructive feedback, welcoming ideas, and helping your team turn learning into better practice

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen.

As a deputy, you’ll bring them to life by following through, listening with care, and working alongside your team to make things better.

What We’re Looking For

You must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification to be considered for this role.

You’ll bring experience working in Early Years, a sound understanding of the EYFS and safeguarding, and the confidence to support and guide others.

We’re looking for someone who leads by example, notices when people need support, and makes space for different ideas and perspectives. Someone who can take responsibility, approach challenges thoughtfully, and ask for advice when it’s needed.

Above all, you’ll care about helping children and colleagues thrive, knowing that your own learning continues too.

If you have any questions about the role, our Recruitment Team will be happy to help at [e-mail].

Please note: we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, verification of your right to work in the UK, and any essential qualifications. If successful, our Onboarding Team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to support fairness and accessibility for all candidates. This role involves regulated activity with children.

INDJ