Deputy Nursery Manager

If you're an experienced and passionate Deputy Nursery Manager looking for your next exciting career opportunity, there has never been a better time to join us. At Better Nurseries, operated by GLL, we are seeking an inspirational Deputy Nursery Manager on a 36-hour permanent contract to help lead our outstanding team at Vista Field Nursery, based within Vista Field Children's Centre, London SE9. This is far more than a typical Deputy Nursery Manager role - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact on children's lives, support a dedicated team, and play a key role in shaping the future of early years education.

As our Deputy Nursery Manager, you will work closely with the Nursery Manager to ensure the highest standards of care, learning, and development are delivered every day. The Deputy Nursery Manager will be instrumental in creating an engaging, safe, and stimulating environment where children can thrive. This position offers the chance to develop your leadership skills while supporting a high-performing nursery team committed to excellence. We're looking for a confident and ambitious Deputy Nursery Manager who is passionate about early years education and ready to take the next step in their career. If you're seeking a rewarding opportunity with a values-driven organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Vista Field Nursery is a vibrant 52-place setting for children aged 0-4 years. We pride ourselves on creating a nurturing, fun, and stimulating environment where learning happens through play. Our approach places a strong emphasis on physical activity, outdoor learning, and supporting every child to reach their full potential through high-quality early years experiences.

As Deputy Nursery Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operation of the nursery alongside the Nursery Manager, ensuring compliance with the statutory framework and striving for Ofsted excellence. The Deputy Nursery Manager will deputise in the Nursery Manager's absence, providing strong leadership and maintaining the highest standards across the setting. You will support the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), oversee planning and record-keeping, and help drive continuous improvement across all aspects of nursery provision.

An enthusiastic and inspirational leader, the Deputy Nursery Manager will motivate and develop the staff team while ensuring children receive exceptional care, learning opportunities, and support. You'll work collaboratively with colleagues, children, and families to create positive experiences that foster development, confidence, and wellbeing. We're particularly interested in candidates who have experience managing nursery teams in either a deputy management or senior leadership capacity.

To succeed as our Deputy Nursery Manager, you will hold a Level 3 Childcare qualification or a higher Early Years qualification. You'll have a strong understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding responsibilities, and the importance of inclusion and diversity within early years settings. Experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) will be highly valued.

You'll be organised, proactive, and hands-on, with excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong professional relationships with parents, local authority departments, regulatory bodies, and partner agencies. Most importantly, you'll be passionate about helping children learn, develop, and flourish, ensuring every child receives the very best start in life.

Join Better Nurseries and become part of the UK's largest leisure provider and charitable social enterprise, where your work as Deputy Nursery Manager will make a genuine difference every day.

What you'll do:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursery in line with the statutory framework and aiming for Ofsted excellence.

• Assist the Nursery Manager in leading the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), including overseeing the planning and record keeping.

• Assist the Nursery Manager and deputise in their absence.

• Positively lead with our online childcare management software and guide the team as to its best use.

• Be an enthusiastic and inspirational Deputy Nursery Manager, whose leadership style will motivate our staff team as well as ultimately ensuring the children are well looked after, content and stimulated, and their parents are happy too.

What you need:

• A childcare qualification - Level 3 or higher qualification.

• At least four years' experience post qualification.

• Experience within a managerial position

• A sound knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

• A good knowledge of Health & Safety.

• A can-do attitude.

• Good IT, literacy, numerical, organisational and communication skills.

• Good knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

• Good knowledge of Equalities and Diversity issues, with a commitment to an inclusive approach.

• A clear enhanced DBS certificate and two satisfactory childcare references.

The basics:

• A salary of £34,690 per annum is offered.

• This is a 36-hour per week, permanent post. Hours of work will be timetabled between the hours of 8am-6pm in line with the needs of the service.

If you are a passionate Deputy Nursery Manager who enjoys working with young children and their families, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference.

As a charitable social enterprise owned by its staff GLL has a great range of benefits for its employees: