Deputy Nursery Manager: Lead & Inspire Early Years

Kids Planet Day Nurseries Ltd.; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Free meals

KP Academy training

Enhanced leave

Wellbeing & rewards

Long service awards

Birthday day off

Competitive salary & pension

Supportive central team

Job summary

Kids Planet Woodlands is seeking a Deputy Manager ready to lead with heart and help children thrive. You’ll work alongside the manager to run the nursery daily, support families, and ensure high standards of care and EYFS delivery.

We’re looking for at least Level 3 in a UK early years qualification, strong EYFS knowledge, safeguarding expertise, and proven nursery leadership. In return, you’ll enjoy excellent benefits, development opportunities, and a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Must be at least Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Leadership experience within a nursery setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist the manager with day-to-day nursery operations.
• Build warm relationships with families and work with outside agencies to support each child’s growth and wellbeing.
• Lead and support the nursery team to ensure safety and EYFS delivery.

Skills

EYFS understanding

Safeguarding knowledge

Leadership experience

Education

Level 3 UK early years qualification

Job description

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Woodlands as a Deputy Manager!

We’re now looking for a Deputy Manager to join our team, someone who’s ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.

Why Kids Planet Woodlands?

• Good parking facilities
• Recently refurbished setting
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women, for the second year running
• Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• Awarded one of the UK's Best Workplaces in Education & Training by Great Place to Work 2026
• 80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply

What we offer our Deputy Managers:

• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.
• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it’s all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
• Friendly central support team always on hand to help.

How you’ll make a difference as a Deputy Manager:

• Through working alongside the manager to help with all areas of running the nursery, making sure everything runs smoothly day to day.
• By building warm, trusting relationships with families and work together with outside agencies to support each child’s growth and wellbeing.
• Guiding and support the nursery team, keeping children safe at all times and bringing the EYFS to life in a way that’s fun, engaging, and meets all requirements.

What a Deputy Manager needs:

• Must be at least Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
• Excellent understanding of EYFS.
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Leadership experience within a nursery setting.

Sound like the place for you?

Apply today to join Kids Planet Woodlands

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self and flourish!

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.