Nursery Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare company is seeking a Deputy Manager for their New Beckenham nursery. This role involves leading a team to provide exceptional care, acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead, and maintaining strong partnerships with parents and professionals. Ideal candidates will possess a Level 3 Early Years qualification and relevant leadership experience. Benefits include a salary starting from £36,000, childcare discounts, and professional development opportunities. If you're passionate about making a difference, apply now!

Benefits

Childcare discount of 75% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Professional development programme

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development programme access

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
• Experience within an Early Years leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Contribute to succession planning and staff training.

Skills

Leadership skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication techniques

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons New Beckenham Day Nursery & Pre-School

Salary – From £36,000 per annum

Location – Beckenham

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 New Beckenham nursery. Set within a beautifully renovated former cricket pavilion, Bright Horizons New Beckenham Day Nursery & Preschool offers a warm, spacious, and well‑resourced environment for early years professionals. The nursery features a large outdoor area and access to the adjacent cricket pitch, providing children with unique opportunities for outdoor learning and play. The nursery is conveniently located near New Beckenham and Beckenham Junction stations, making the nursery ideal for commuters from across South London and also offers onsite parking.

Our Benefits

• From £36,000 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 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

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!

We look forward to receiving your application!

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