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- Tasks: Lead daily operations at Play Out Nursery, ensuring a safe and stimulating environment for children.
- Company: Join Ormiston Families, a top charity supporting children and families in the East of England.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, employee discounts, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive and dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Must have a Level 3 childcare qualification and experience in a supervisory role.
- Other info: Opportunities for training and development, including support for mental health and wellbeing.
Based - Play Out Nursery in Ipswich
Full-time Permanent Post working 37.5 hours
Salary: £28-30,000 per annum (negotiable - subject to skills & experience)
Ormiston Families, trading as Play Out Nursery, is one of the leading charities working with children, young people, and families in the East of England. We take early and preventative action to support families to be safe, healthy, and resilient.
Job Purpose: As Deputy Manager your role is to oversee the day to day running of the setting, ensuring the educational and welfare requirements are met by the staff within the room. With the support of setting colleagues, you will create a safe, caring and stimulating environment for children under the age of 5 years. You will encourage the children's development and understanding through play and other learning experiences. A good understanding of delivering the Early Years Curriculum (EYFS) and working with Ofsted outcomes is vital.
Main Tasks of a Deputy Manager:
- Support the Head of Nursery in the day to day running of the setting.
- Deputise for the Head of Nursery when they are absent, including ensuring compliance with Statutory Guidance and maintaining the security of the building.
- Support the Head of Nursery in running the setting on a day-to-day basis including adhering to Health and Safety policies and procedures and ensuring staff ratios are maintained.
- Understand the need for ongoing risk assessment to ensure children are physically safe and are participating in activities that are in line with their developmental stage.
- Role model Best Practice.
- Be up to date in current thinking and practice and ensure the room is delivering the best possible curriculum for the children.
- Be a role model to staff and supervise them as they work with the children.
- Support all-round development in the following areas: Physical, Intellectual, Language, emotional, social skills, and cultural needs.
- Support staff in reporting to parents if needed.
Skills and Experience of a Deputy Manager:
- Childcare Qualification NVQ /NNEB/CACHE/ City & Guilds/ BTEC Min Level 3 or equivalent.
- Willingness to undertake training to achieve Level 4 Qualification in early years.
- Experience working at this level - Evidence Level 4 or above Qualification in Early Years.
- Experience leading or supervising a small team of nursery staff.
- Strong planning and organizational abilities.
What We Offer:
- Company pension scheme.
- Regular staff events.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Employee Discount Scheme.
- Trained Mental Health First Aiders who form our Wellbeing Team, promoting mental and physical health.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Sick Pay.
For further information and to apply please visit our website.
Closing date for applications: 5pm, Tuesday 10th June 2025. Play Out reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we have received sufficient applications ahead of the closing date.
Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role: Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Contact Detail:
Ormiston Families Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Understanding its principles and how they apply to daily nursery operations will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed or supported a team in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you modelled best practices.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Ormiston Families and their approach to childcare. Being able to articulate why you want to work for them and how your values align with theirs can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees if possible. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Deputy Manager at Play Out Nursery. Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Curriculum (EYFS) and Ofsted outcomes, as these are crucial for the role.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant qualifications and experience in childcare, especially any leadership roles or supervisory experience. Make sure to include your Level 3 qualification and any plans to achieve Level 4, as this is a requirement for the position.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for early years education and your commitment to creating a safe and stimulating environment for children. Mention specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to lead a team and support children's development.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are essential qualities for a Deputy Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ormiston Families
✨Know the Early Years Curriculum
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement it in your role as Deputy Manager, ensuring that children's development is supported through play and learning experiences.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Manager, you'll need to show that you can lead and support a team effectively. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully supervised staff or led a project, and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Childcare Qualifications
Make sure to bring up your relevant qualifications, especially if you have a Level 4 or above in Early Years. Discuss how your training has prepared you for the responsibilities of this role and how you stay updated with current practices.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations, such as managing staff ratios or conducting risk assessments. Think through potential scenarios and how you would ensure compliance with health and safety policies while maintaining a nurturing environment for children.
