Nursery Deputy Manager

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Milton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

25 days annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Virtual GP access

Early wage access

Career development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Cambridge Milton Road Nursery is seeking a Deputy Manager to lead a dedicated team and oversee day-to-day operations at the Cambridge Milton Road site. This is a full-time, permanent role with a focus on safeguarding, staff development, and maintaining high-quality care and education.

The Deputy Manager will act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensure regulatory compliance, and collaborate with parents and Local Authority partners.

Qualifications

• Experience in an Early Years leadership role is essential.
• Experience with regulatory inspections leading to Good/Outstanding outcomes is desirable.
• Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support the nursery team to deliver high standards of care and education.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and oversee safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to succession planning, training and staff development plans; maintain partnerships with parents and professionals.
• Support the nursery's commercial success through occupancy, retention and budget management.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Communication

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Early Years Level 3+

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

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.

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.