Nursery Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC.; Great Cornard; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

Annual leave + holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Career development access

Job summary

Bright Horizons Great Cornard Day Nursery and Preschool in the UK is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a dedicated team and drive excellence in early years care and education.

You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, manage day‑to‑day operations, and support staff development, partnerships with families and professionals, and the nursery’s occupancy and budget targets. The role requires Level 3+ EY qualifications and leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience within an Early Years leadership role (Deputy Manager/Assistant Manager or similar).
• Experience with regulatory inspections leading to Good or Outstanding outcomes.
• Confident decision maker with leadership experience.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and understanding of wider legislative requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, support and inspire a team to deliver high‑quality care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to succession planning and staff development plans.
• Maintain partnerships with colleagues, parents and Local Authority professionals.
• Support the nursery's commercial success through retention, occupancy growth and budgeting.

Skills

Leadership

Safeguarding/Child Protection

Communication

Decision making

Partnerships with parents/colleagues

Budgeting

Education

Early Years Level 3+ Qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Great Cornard Day Nursery and PreschoolSalary – From £32,513.00 per annumLocation – SudburyAre 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 Great Cornard nursery, rated \"Good\" by Ofsted. The nursery is a purpose-built nursery with spacious rooms and filled with natural light, featuring a large outdoor area. Conveniently located in Great Cornard, it offers excellent transport links from the surrounding areas.Our BenefitsChildcare discount of 75% for first childEnhanced parental leave25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*PensionFinancial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and moreProfessional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach*Subject to T&CsThe RoleAs 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 forFull and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualificationExperience 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’ outcomeConfident decision maker, with previous experience providing support and leadership to othersStrong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with childrenAbility to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carersAbility to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adultsWe 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!INDLEHBright 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.Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years. Apply today!We look forward to receiving your application!