NURSERY DEPUTY MANAGER – WALTON-ON-THAMES, SURREY
Location: Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
Position: Nursery Deputy Manager / Deputy Nursery Manager / Early Years Deputy Manager
Salary: £15 per hour
Working Days: 4 days per week
Daily Working Hours: To be confirmed
Contract Type: To be confirmed
Qualification: Relevant Early Years qualification, preferably full and relevant Level 3 or above
Recruitment Agency: Early Years Academy
NURSERY DEPUTY MANAGER JOB IN WALTON-ON-THAMES – £15 PER HOUR – 4 DAYS PER WEEK
Are you an experienced Nursery Room Leader, Third in Charge or Deputy Nursery Manager looking for an exciting leadership opportunity in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey?
Early Years Academy is recruiting a passionate, organised and motivated Nursery Deputy Manager for an Early Years opportunity in Walton-on-Thames, offering £15 per hour over 4 working days per week.
This opportunity could be ideal for an experienced childcare professional who is ready to take the next step in their career, develop their nursery management experience and make a positive contribution to children’s learning and development.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Early Years professional who enjoys supporting nursery colleagues, maintaining high standards of childcare and creating a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment for young children.
As Nursery Deputy Manager, you will play an important role in supporting the Nursery Manager with daily operations, helping to lead the team and ensuring children receive high-quality care and early education.
The position may suit an existing Deputy Manager looking for a new opportunity or an experienced Room Leader or Third in Charge who can demonstrate the leadership skills required to progress.
ABOUT THE NURSERY DEPUTY MANAGER ROLE
As Deputy Nursery Manager, you will work closely with the Nursery Manager to support the effective day-to-day operation of the nursery.
You will help maintain a positive, professional and supportive environment for children, families and staff.
Your responsibilities will include supporting the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), guiding nursery practitioners, promoting safeguarding and contributing to the nursery’s ongoing development.
You will also help ensure that nursery policies and procedures are followed, that staff understand their responsibilities and that children receive appropriate care, learning opportunities and individual support.
This position requires a confident, caring and organised individual who can lead by example and support colleagues in maintaining high standards of Early Years practice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – NURSERY DEPUTY MANAGER
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the Nursery Manager with the effective day-to-day running of the nursery.
- Assisting with nursery operations, staff coordination and the organisation of daily activities.
- Leading, supporting and motivating nursery practitioners and room leaders.
- Helping maintain high standards of childcare, education and safeguarding.
- Supporting the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
- Monitoring the quality of learning experiences and childcare provision.
- Encouraging creative, engaging and developmentally appropriate learning activities.
- Supporting children’s individual learning journeys and developmental progress.
- Promoting children’s independence, confidence, communication and emotional wellbeing.
- Supporting inclusive practice and ensuring children with additional needs receive appropriate support.
- Building positive relationships with parents, carers and families.
- Helping nursery colleagues communicate effectively with parents about children’s development.
- Supporting staff deployment and maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
- Helping organise staff responsibilities and daily routines.
- Supporting the induction, mentoring and professional development of nursery employees.
- Assisting with observations, assessments and curriculum planning.
- Maintaining accurate records and supporting effective nursery administration.
- Promoting a safe, clean, stimulating and welcoming nursery environment.
- Ensuring safeguarding, child protection, health and safety and nursery policies are followed.
- Supporting the identification and reporting of safeguarding concerns.
- Assisting with risk assessments and the management of daily health and safety responsibilities.
- Helping prepare the nursery for Ofsted inspections and supporting continuous improvement.
- Supporting the Nursery Manager with communication, teamwork and operational decision-making.
- Taking on delegated management responsibilities when required.
- Leading by example and promoting a positive, professional nursery culture.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
We are looking for a candidate who has:
- A relevant Early Years or Childcare qualification, preferably full and relevant Level 3 or above.
- Previous experience working in a nursery or Early Years setting.
- Experience as a Deputy Nursery Manager, Third in Charge, Senior Practitioner or Room Leader, or comparable leadership experience.
- A strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- Good knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and safer working practices.
- Experience supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
- Confidence supervising, mentoring and motivating nursery colleagues.
- Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to support nursery management with daily operational responsibilities.
- Experience communicating professionally with parents and carers.
- An understanding of staff-to-child ratios and safe staff deployment.
- Knowledge of inclusive Early Years practice and supporting children with SEND.
- The ability to remain calm and professional when managing competing priorities.
- A commitment to high-quality childcare and continuous professional development.
- Previous nursery leadership experience would be particularly beneficial.
Candidates who are currently working as Room Leaders or Third in Charge and are ready to progress into nursery management are also encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate the relevant experience and skills.
Final qualification and experience requirements will be confirmed by the employer.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
As Nursery Deputy Manager, you will have an important role in helping create a positive working environment where nursery staff feel supported, motivated and confident in their responsibilities.
You will be expected to:
- Support colleagues in delivering high-quality Early Years education.
- Encourage teamwork, communication and professional development.
- Provide guidance on EYFS planning, observations and assessments.
- Promote consistent safeguarding and health and safety practices.
- Support room leaders with the organisation of their rooms.
- Help identify opportunities to improve nursery practice.
- Assist with maintaining effective daily routines.
- Encourage positive relationships between children, parents and nursery staff.
- Support management with delegated responsibilities and operational decisions.
- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability and a positive approach to leadership.
The successful candidate should be comfortable balancing leadership responsibilities with hands‑on support for children and nursery colleagues.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
We are looking for a Deputy Nursery Manager who is:
- Warm, caring and approachable.
- Confident, organised and professional.
- Passionate about Early Years education.
- An enthusiastic and supportive team leader.
- Reliable and committed to maintaining high standards.
- Able to motivate and encourage nursery colleagues.
- Patient, understanding and responsive to children’s needs.
- Confident communicating with parents, carers and staff.
- Able to work independently and make appropriate decisions.
- Calm and adaptable in a busy nursery environment.
- Dedicated to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare.
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusive childcare.
- Motivated to continue developing leadership and management skills.
SALARY AND WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
Hourly Rate: £15.00
Working Pattern: 4 days per week
This position offers an opportunity for an experienced Early Years professional seeking a four-day working arrangement.
The exact daily working hours, weekly contracted hours, working days and contract terms will be confirmed by the employer.
For illustration, if the position involves four paid 8-hour days per week, the salary would be approximately £24,960 per annum, based on 32 paid hours over 52 weeks.
The actual annual salary will depend on the agreed paid working hours and contractual arrangements.
Holiday entitlement, pension arrangements and any additional benefits will be confirmed during the recruitment process.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
A Nursery Deputy Manager position offers an excellent opportunity to develop valuable Early Years leadership and management experience.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your skills in:
- Nursery operations and daily management.
- Staff supervision and team leadership.
- Safeguarding and child protection.
- EYFS curriculum planning and implementation.
- Staff development and mentoring.
- Parent partnerships and communication.
- Quality improvement and inspection preparation.
- Supporting children with additional needs.
- Nursery organisation and operational decision-making.
The experience gained in a Deputy Nursery Manager position can provide a strong foundation for future progression into Nursery Manager and other senior Early Years leadership positions.
WHY WORK AS A NURSERY DEPUTY MANAGER?
Working as a Deputy Nursery Manager provides an opportunity to combine a passion for childcare with leadership and management responsibilities.
You will be able to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives while supporting nursery colleagues and helping maintain high standards of Early Years education.
You will also play an important role in supporting a positive nursery environment where children feel safe, valued and encouraged to develop their confidence and independence.
For an experienced Early Years professional, this position offers the opportunity to contribute to nursery leadership while remaining closely involved in children’s learning and development.
WHY CHOOSE A NURSERY JOB IN WALTON-ON-THAMES?
Walton-on-Thames is a town in Surrey, located near the River Thames and within reach of several surrounding communities.
For childcare professionals living in Walton-on-Thames or nearby areas, this position offers an opportunity to develop their nursery leadership career locally.
The vacancy may appeal to experienced Early Years professionals based in:
Walton-on-Thames
Hersham
Weybridge
Shepperton
Molesey
Esher
Sunbury-on-Thames
Cobham
Addlestone
Surrounding Surrey communities
Candidates should consider their individual journey to the nursery when applying.
The four-day working pattern may be particularly appealing to candidates seeking a nursery leadership position with fewer working days each week.
SAFEGUARDING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Early Years Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Appointment will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, right-to-work verification and confirmation of relevant qualifications.
We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process.
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