Deputy Nursery Manager - Mat Cover

Nursery - Poppetts Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary - £32,988.80 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location - Shenfield, Essex

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 (Mat Cover) to join our Poppetts nursery. _ This is a fixed term contract for a year. _

Conveniently located next to Long Ridings Primary School and just a 5-minute walk from Shenfield Station (Elizabeth Line), Poppetts offers a warm, engaging environment for young learners.

We're proud to be rated "Good" by Ofsted and offer enriching extras like Boogie Mites music and Forest School sessions. All rooms have free-flow access to gardens, and we provide on-site free parking for families.

Our Benefits
£32,988.80 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
Shift options: 40 hours over 5 Days.

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.

If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today!

INDPOPPETTS

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: From £32,988.80 per year

Benefits:
Additional leave
Bereavement leave
Childcare
Company events
Company pension
Employee discount
Employee mentoring programme
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Financial planning services
Free fitness classes
Free flu jabs
Health & wellbeing programme
Paid volunteer time
Referral programme
Sick pay
Store discount
Transport links
Schedule:
Day shift
Monday to Friday
No weekends

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: JR-120230