Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education for children.
- Company: Join Bright Horizons, a company driven by HEART principles and a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 75% childcare discount, enhanced parental leave, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and leadership experience in an Early Years setting.
- Other info: Be part of a Great Place to Work with excellent professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 34694 - 48672 £ per year.
Bright Horizons Whetstone Day Nursery and Preschool is looking for a Deputy Manager to join our Whetstone nursery, situated in Whetstone, North London. This is a fixed term contract from May 2026 for 12 months.
Our 46 place nursery is Ofsted rated ‘Good’, with a beautiful rooftop terrace, allowing children to continue their learning journey outdoors. With a wide range of age-specific activities and toys, there is always so much to discover and explore, including our exciting sand and water trays.
Our Benefits:
- 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*
*Subject to T&Cs
The Role:
As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and education. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, overseeing the 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!
Nursery Deputy Manager (FTC-12 months) in London employer: Bright Horizons
Contact Detail:
Bright Horizons Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Deputy Manager (FTC-12 months) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at Bright Horizons. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re ready to take on the Deputy Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Think of examples where you've mentored or inspired a team, as this aligns perfectly with what Bright Horizons is looking for in a Deputy Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows your enthusiasm for joining the Bright Horizons family.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Deputy Manager (FTC-12 months) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in children's lives and how you embody our HEART principles.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Deputy Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in leadership and safeguarding, so we can see how you fit into our nursery's culture and values.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your information logically, so it’s easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Bright Horizons Whetstone.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bright Horizons
✨Know Your HEART Principles
Familiarise yourself with the HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork. Be ready to share examples of how you've embodied these values in your previous roles, especially in leadership positions.
✨Showcase Your Early Years Experience
Prepare to discuss your experience in Early Years settings, particularly any leadership roles. Highlight specific instances where you contributed to a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' outcome during inspections, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Safeguarding Knowledge
Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement these in the nursery and provide examples of how you've handled safeguarding issues in the past.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use effective communication techniques and be personable. This will not only showcase your ability to connect with colleagues and parents but also demonstrate your suitability for a role that requires strong partnerships.
