Deputy Manager, Operations, Safeguarding & Compliance in Sunderland

For over 23 years, Chilton Meadows Day Nursery has proudly been a family-owned and family-run setting, deeply rooted in our community. We are a safe and nurturing place of belonging where children, families, and staff feel valued, supported, and truly at home. To maintain the highest standards of care, education, and safeguarding, Chilton Meadows Day Nursery operates a distributed leadership model consisting of three Deputy Manager roles, each with a clear specialist focus:

• Curriculum & Quality Lead
• SEND & Inclusion Lead
• Operations, Safeguarding & Compliance

This structure ensures strong oversight of curriculum and outcomes, inclusive and responsive practice for all children, robust operational and safeguarding compliance, and clear accountability and leadership progression.

The Deputy Manager, Operations, Safeguarding and Compliance Lead is responsible for supporting the safe, efficient and compliant day-to-day running of the nursery. The post holder will lead on safeguarding culture, health and safety, regulatory compliance and operational organisation to ensure the nursery consistently meets statutory requirements and maintains high standards of care and professionalism. This role ensures that strong practice is underpinned by secure systems, clear procedures and a safe environment in which children, families and staff can thrive.

The Deputy Manager will uphold the ethos of Chilton Meadows Day Nursery, ensuring a safe, nurturing and well-organised environment where children feel secure and valued.

Role Responsibilities:

• Acts as Manager in the absence of the Nursery Manager.
• Has delegated responsibility for operational oversight of the nursery.
• Supports staff deployment and ratio management.
• Has authority to address operational concerns and escalate where necessary.
• Has delegated responsibility for monitoring safeguarding and compliance systems.
• Works collaboratively with the leadership team to ensure effective daily running.

The post holder is accountable to the Nursery Manager and Directors for operational effectiveness and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Management:

• Support the smooth day-to-day running of the nursery.
• Ensure staffing ratios are maintained at all times.
• Support staff deployment to meet operational needs.
• Monitor attendance, punctuality and staff presence.
• Promote consistent daily routines and organisation.
• Support room transitions and safe supervision of children.
• Promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
• Support the Designated Safeguarding Lead in managing concerns.
• Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed consistently.
• Monitor safeguarding recording and reporting systems.
• Support staff understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Ensure all children remain safe and well supervised at all times.

Health, Safety and Compliance:

• Support implementation of all health and safety procedures.
• Monitor risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Ensure fire safety and emergency procedures are understood and followed.
• Support lockdown and emergency planning procedures.
• Ensure compliance with EYFS statutory welfare requirements.
• Maintain readiness for inspection and regulatory visits.
• Support maintenance of accurate compliance documentation.

Staff Conduct and Professional Practice:

• Promote high standards of professionalism and conduct.
• Support consistent implementation of nursery policies and procedures.
• Address operational issues promptly and appropriately.
• Support induction of new staff in relation to operational procedures.
• Promote positive communication and teamwork.

Partnership with Leadership Team:

• Work collaboratively with the Curriculum & Quality Deputy and SEND & Inclusion Deputy.
• Share relevant information to support children and staff.
• Contribute to leadership meetings and improvement planning.
• Support a consistent and unified leadership approach.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• As Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), the post holder must support the Designated Safeguarding Lead in safeguarding matters.
• Act promptly on any concerns relating to child welfare.
• Ensure safeguarding policies are implemented consistently.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate records.
• Support staff to recognise and respond to concerns.

Safeguarding responsibilities take priority over all other duties.

Health and Safety Responsibility:

• Ensure safe working practices are maintained.
• Support safe supervision and deployment of staff.
• Promote safe environments for children and staff.
• Report and respond to hazards or incidents promptly.

Professional Standards:

• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability and integrity.
• Uphold nursery values, policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality in line with GDPR.
• Model respectful and inclusive behaviour.
• Engage in continuous professional development.
• Support a positive and supportive team culture.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Full and relevant Level 3 qualification (Level 5 desirable).
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and welfare requirements.
• Experience working within an early years setting.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure.
• Enhanced DBS clearance.

Desirable:

• Leadership or supervisory experience.
• Safeguarding or health & safety training.
• Experience supporting operational management.