Nursery Deputy Manager

Tops Day Nurseries; Poole; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit share

Welcome bonus

Relocation support

Childcare discount

Birthday off

Wellbeing day

Holiday allowance

Blue Light Card discounts

Health support

Career progression

Job summary

Tops Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, is hiring a Nursery Deputy Manager to support the Nursery Manager in daily operations, ensuring a safe, stimulating environment for children aged 3 months to school age.

Role requires a Level 3 Early Years Qualification, leadership experience and strong EYFS knowledge. Benefits include profit share, relocation support, and substantial childcare discounts in a growing employee-owned group.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted regulations.
• Proven experience managing teams and working closely with parents.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a nursery unit and support specialists in the setting.
• Provide age-appropriate activities and resources for children.
• Communicate with parents about fees, invoicing and targets.
• Support staff training and development and provide coaching.
• Assist the Nursery Manager in the Manager's absence.
• Safeguard children and maintain safeguarding practices.

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Job description

Location: Parkstone, Poole, Dorset

Job type: Full Time Permanent

Salary: £31,824 to £33,696

Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we're more than just a childcare provider. We're the UK's largest employee-owned childcare group, which means our colleagues have a genuine voice in how we work and a share in our success.

About The Role

A Nursery Deputy Manager plays a key role in supporting the Nursery Manager to oversee the daily operations of a nursery or childcare setting. They ensure that the nursery provides a safe, stimulating, and educational environment for children.

About The Nursery

Tops Parkstone is a 56-place day nursery and preschool on Herbert Avenue, Poole, offering Early Education and Care for children aged 3 months to school age. The nursery also runs an after-school and holiday club for children aged 5 to 7 years, with flexible childcare options.

With more than 30 years of experience, the nursery provides a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to learn, grow, and develop at their own pace. The dedicated and supportive team works closely with parents and carers to help every child reach their full potential in line with the EYFS framework.

The nursery benefits from a large outdoor area, including separate gardens for preschool children and children under three years old. Children can enjoy a variety of engaging activities such as a mud kitchen, construction area, and regular outdoor play opportunities. Its location near Bourne Valley Nature Reserve also allows children to take part in trips and Forest School sessions.

What You'll Get In Return

We want our colleagues to feel valued and share in the success they help create. Benefits include:

• Annual company profit share and a Nursery Manager bonus scheme, subject to scheme terms and eligibility.
• £700 Welcome Bonus to kick-start your journey with us
• Relocation support of up to £3,000 (T&Cs apply) ** Welcome Bonus and Relocation packages are not cumulative
• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries.
• Your birthday off and an additional wellbeing day.
• Generous annual holiday allowance.
• Discounts and rewards through Blue Light Card and Each Person, including shopping, travel, gyms and cinema.
• Health and wellbeing support, including help with NHS prescriptions, optical care and dental treatment.
• Opportunities for learning, career development and progression.

We're also proud to have received the 2026 King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and to have been recognised as a World's Happiest Workplace 2025.

As an employee-owned organisation, you'll have the opportunity to contribute ideas, influence how we work and share in our collective success.

Find out more about our benefits on our careers website.

What does the role involve?

• Responsible for overseeing a unit and assisting specialists in the nursery, such as Behaviour management representatives, SENCo, H&S rep, Equal opportunities etc.
• Ensure that suitable opportunities, activities and resources are provided for all the children relevant to their age/stage and development needs to the requirements of external organisations.
• Communicate with parents to ensure that all fees are paid and that parents are satisfied with the provision of care provided. You will also know how to operate a fees system including invoicing, collecting money, banking and reporting on financial targets.
• Ensure that all staff are supported in their training and development and their job satisfaction. Ensure that all staff are mentored /coached appropriately.
• Support the Nursery Manager and to manage the setting in Managers absence
• To be committed to the safeguarding of all children in the nursery and your direct care

What are we looking for?

• A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role
• Strong knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted regulations
• Proven experience managing teams and working closely with parents

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at Tops Day Nurseries. As this role involves regulated activity with children, the successful candidate must hold, or be willing to obtain, an enhanced DBS check and register it with the DBS Update Service. If you do not already have a suitable check, you will be responsible for the associated cost.
• You'll also need to successfully complete our safer recruitment process, including satisfactory references and background checks, and meet the eligibility requirements for working in regulated activity with children.