Nursery Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,479 - 39,696; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount of 75%

Competitive bonus up to £1,500

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development program access

Job summary

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool is seeking a Deputy Manager for our Bank Street Day Nursery & Preschool located in Canary Wharf, London. You will lead and support the team to deliver outstanding care and education while ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies.

The ideal candidate will have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and relevant leadership experience. Benefits include a childcare discount, competitive bonuses, and professional development programs.

Qualifications

• Experience within an Early Years leadership role.
• Experience participating in regulatory inspections.
• Ability to develop working partnerships with colleagues and parents.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire the team.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Contribute to succession planning and professional development.

Skills

Decision making

Communication techniques

Safeguarding knowledge

Building trust

Education

Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Bank Street Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – Starting from £36,088 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Canary Wharf, London

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 Bank Street Day Nursery & Preschool. Located in the heart of Canary Wharf, our purpose‑built setting is thoughtfully designed to support both children and staff, with age‑specific rooms that create a warm, “home from home” atmosphere. It is also ideally positioned for commuters. It’s just a short walk from both Jubilee Line and DLR stations, making it easily accessible from across London.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 75% for first child*
• Competitive bonus of up to £1,500, awarded in line with Ofsted inspection outcomes
• 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

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.