Nursery Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC.; Dartford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 75%

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave + holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits (virtual GP, wage-早

Career development programme

Job summary

Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge Dartford Day Nursery is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a dedicated team and oversee day-to-day nursery operations in Dartford, Kent. The role includes safeguarding responsibilities, staff development, and partnership with parents to support high-quality care and education.

We offer ongoing training and clear progression pathways, with a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including childcare discounts and generous leave.

Qualifications

• Requires Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience in an Early Years leadership role (Deputy Manager or similar).
• Experience participating in regulatory inspections leading to Good/Outstanding outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team to deliver exceptional care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage safeguarding policies.
• Support succession planning, training and professional development; maintain partnerships with parents and professionals; support nursery budgets and occupancy.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication

Decision making

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Job Details

Nursery – Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge Dartford Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – £34,299.20 - £44,782.40 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Dartford, Kent

Contract: temporary position until December 2027

About the Role

We’re looking for a Deputy Manager to join our Springfield Lodge nursery. At our Dartford nursery, we’re proud to offer a spacious outdoor garden and a dedicated on-site Forest School area, giving children rich opportunities for exploration and learning. Our long‑standing, experienced staff team provides a warm, consistent environment for every child. The setting is conveniently located close to local transport links and also benefits from an on‑site car park for those who drive. We are committed to supporting our team with continual training and clear pathways for progression within their role.

Key Responsibilities

As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional 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

Benefits

• 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

Employer Statement

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply.

We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

Company Culture

At Bright Horizons, our culture is built on our commitment to Keeping Everyone Safe and providing world‑class care and education, delivered by a world‑class workforce.

We believe our people’s potential is endless and with this in mind, we aspire to create an environment where our colleagues can thrive and accomplish the things they thought impossible.

Bright Horizons has been recognised as a Great Place to Work by our employees and the Great Place to Work Institute for the last 13 years.

We care passionately about what we do, and our HEART values and principles help us support one another in the work that we do each day. These are quite literally at the HEART of our organisation’s ethos and culture as it helps us to provide a working environment that supports professionalism, growth and diversity.

We are passionate about our people’s ongoing learning and development. Our learning and leading with HEART framework supports each Bright Horizons colleague on the first steps of their leadership journey, whether that includes our ‘World‑Class Welcome’ induction or our extensive ongoing training programme. Whether or not it includes our ‘World‑Class Welcome’ induction or our extensive ongoing training programme, either way we want you to feel valued and invested in!

Celebrating the accomplishments of our people is an essential part of our culture. We believe in the power of “thank you” and, throughout the year, in ways big and small, formal and informal, we show our appreciation for employees at all levels. We have many ways to acknowledge and celebrate our people, including our very popular “employee appreciation month”. This is a chance for everyone to share their gratitude to one another, across the whole company. Whether it is a “thank you” placed on our website, a chocolate pizza, team lunch or an ice cream van visit, it is our way of showing each other we care and appreciate everything we do.

Each year, we have our annual ‘Awards of Excellence’ events; whether you are an award winner or cheering on a fellow team member, these formal award occasions are opportunities to come together and celebrate one another.