Nursery Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons UK; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider is seeking a Deputy Manager for their newly refurbished nursery in Cambridge. You will lead a team to provide exceptional care and education, oversee safeguarding responsibilities, and help drive nursery success. Ideal candidates will have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and prior leadership experience. The role offers a salary starting from £34,695 per annum along with various benefits including childcare discounts and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 75% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Professional development program access

24/7 virtual GP appointments

Qualifications

• Experience in an Early Years leadership role.
• Participated in a regulatory inspection with 'Good' or 'Outstanding' outcome.
• Strong understanding of childcare legislative requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team to deliver quality care.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Oversee nursery operations and manage safeguarding policies.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Knowledge of Safeguarding

Communication

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Cambridge Milton Road Day Nursery & Pre-School

Salary – From £34,695 per annum

Hours - Full Time | Permanent | Mon-Fri

Location – Cambridge

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for a Deputy Manager to join our Cambridge Milton Road Nursery. Bright Horizons Cambridge Milton Road is a newly refurbished nursery and forest school that opened its doors in early 2025. The setting boasts five spacious rooms and beautifully lit gardens, accessible day and night, ensuring endless exploration and fun. Enjoy a serene staff room perfect for unwinding during breaks, indulge in a delicious breakfast provided daily, and refresh with our thoughtfully stocked care baskets in the bathrooms. At Bright Horizons, we care for you as much as you care for the little ones!

Our Benefits

• From £34,695 per annum
• Childcare discount of 75% for first child*
• Enhanced parental leave
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach

*Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, overseeing day to day running of the nursery and management of safeguarding and child protection policies. You will contribute to succession planning, training, and supporting team professional development plans, maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals (such as the Local Authority), and support the commercial success of the nursery through retention, occupancy growth, and maintaining budgets.

What we’re looking for

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification
• Experience within an Early Years leadership role (ideally as a Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, Third in Charge or similar)
• Experience of participating with a regulatory inspection, leading to a ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ outcome
• Confident decision maker, with previous experience providing support and leadership to others
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children
• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carers
• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today!

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We look forward to receiving your application!

If you experience any problems, please [e-mail] we will be happy to help.