Nursery Deputy Manager

Fennies-Day-Nurseries; Richmond; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive pension scheme

£500 referral bonus

60% childcare discount

Clifton Strengths leadership coaching

Mentoring and development programmes

33 days annual leave

BUPA Wellbeing support

Free daily meals

Job summary

Fennies is seeking a Deputy Nursery Manager to support the Nursery Manager in delivering outstanding care and education. You will lead a passionate team, uphold safeguarding standards, and drive operational excellence across daily nursery operations.

Ideal candidates have Level 3 EYQ, strong EYFS knowledge, and experience in a senior role within early years. This is a leadership-focused opportunity with substantial development and benefits.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above) required.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, Birth to 5 Matters and child development.
• Experience in an early years setting, ideally in a senior practitioner/room leader role.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day leadership and smooth running of the nursery.
• Inspire and guide educators to deliver outstanding early years practice.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety, and compliance.
• Build strong partnerships with families and the local community.
• Support team development through coaching, mentoring and feedback.
• Help prepare for Ofsted inspections and maintain regulatory standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across educational quality and nursery performance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

EYFS knowledge

Team coaching

Child development

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

GCSE Maths & English (Grade 4/C or above)

Job description

NurseryDeputy Manager

• Salary: up to £47,000

• Potential to earn a further £3,800 in bonus

Support the leadership of a nursery where children, educators and families thrive.

At Fennies, our Deputy Nursery Managers play a vital role in creating exceptional early years environments. Working closely with the Nursery Manager, you’ll help lead a passionate team, maintain outstanding standards of care and education and support the development of both children and educators.

Ifyou’reanexperienced early yearsprofessional ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, this is your opportunity to have a meaningful impact.

Why joinFennies?

Webelieve great leaders deserve the right support,developmentand recognition.

Competitive salary and bonus

• Up to £40,000annual salary

• Up to £3,000 performance-related bonus

• Comprehensive pension scheme

• £500 referral bonus*

Childcare discount and support

• Up to60% discount on childcare

Leadership Development

• Personalised Clifton Strengths leadership coaching

• Dedicated learning and development programmes

• Mentoring and support from regional leadership

• A full central support team to enable you to focus on exceptional qualityof care and education

Wellbeing and Lifestyle benefits

• Up to 33 days of annual leave

• BUPA Wellbeing Support

• Free daily meals from theFenniesCafé

A community of committed, high-achieving educators

• Regular leadership forums and networking

• Summer BBQs, Christmaseventsand company celebrations

• Recognition and reward through theFenniesClub long service awards

About the Role

AsDeputyNursery Manager,you’llsupport the Nursery Manager in leading the nursery and ensuring exceptional standards of care,educationand operational excellence.

You will:

• Support theday-to-dayleadership and smooth running of the nursery

• Inspire and guide educators to deliver outstanding early years practice

• Maintainhigh standardsof safeguarding,health and safetyand compliance

• Build strong partnerships with families and the local community

• Support team development through coaching,mentoringand feedback

• Help prepare for Ofsted inspections andmaintainregulatory standards

• Contribute to continuousimprovementacross educational quality, teamengagementand nurseryperformance

This role offers the opportunity to develop your leadership skills while making a meaningful difference in children’s learning journeys.

Whatwe’relooking for

You’rea confident and passionate early yearsprofessionalwhoenjoys helping teams succeed andchildren flourish.

You will have:

• Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above)

• Strong knowledge of EYFS, Birth to 5 Matters and child development

• Experienceof working in anearlyyearssetting, ideally in a senior practitioner orroom leader role

• A track recordof deliveringhigh standardsof care and education

• Experience of strong practice as a Key Personand in implementing safeguarding,healthand safety, first aid and critical care policies.

• Strongorganisational, communication and leadership skills

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade4/C or above); or equivalent

Most importantly, you will bring energy,empathyand ambition to create a nursery where children and educators thrive.

Become part of theFenniesDNA

We’re family-owned and family-run; this guides our culture, our decision-making, and what it feels like to be part of our team. We have a strong sense of community, with connections that bring us together and the systems and processes that mean our educators can focus on what they do best. Quality matters to us – starting with our people and curriculum - through to our beautiful buildings and inspiring environments. We’re investing in Fennies, in our teams, and into the education we provide our children. Our People Promise inspires us to build the kind of culture that is ambitious, passionate and supportive. We provide the environment where you can:

• Be Yourself

• Come Together

• Be All In

• Go Further

Diversity and Inclusion

AtFennies, we celebrate diversity and believe inclusive teams create stronger learning environments for children. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

Safeguarding

Fennies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide proof of identity. In line with Safer Recruitment guidance, online searches (including social media) may be conducted for shortlisted candidates.

*T&Cs apply in relation to referral bonus eligibility