Deputy Manager in Kent

Deputy Manager in Kent

Kent Full-Time 40000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Fennies Nurseries

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a nursery team, ensuring exceptional care and education for children.
  • Company: Fennies, a family-run nursery focused on community and quality.
  • Benefits: Up to £40,000 salary, bonuses, childcare discounts, and 33 days leave.
  • Other info: Join a supportive community of educators with strong values on diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's learning while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience in early years settings.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.

Support the leadership of a nursery where children, educators and families thrive. At Fennies, our Deputy Nursery Managers play a vital role in creating exceptional early years environments. Working closely with the Nursery Manager, you’ll help lead a passionate team, maintain outstanding standards of care and education and support the development of both children and educators. If you’re an experienced early years professional ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, this is your opportunity to have a meaningful impact.

Location: Oxted

Salary: up to £40,000 Potential to earn a further £3,000 in bonus

Why join Fennies

  • Competitive salary and bonus: Up to £40,000 annual salary; Up to £3,000 performance-related bonus
  • Comprehensive pension scheme
  • £500 referral bonus
  • Childcare discount and support: Up to 60% discount on childcare
  • Leadership Development: Clifton Strengths coaching, dedicated learning and development programmes, mentoring and regional leadership support
  • A full central support team to enable you to focus on quality of care and education
  • Wellbeing and lifestyle: Up to 33 days of annual leave, BUPA wellbeing support, free daily meals
  • Community of committed educators: leadership forums, networking, celebrations, long service awards

About the Role

As Deputy Nursery Manager, you’ll support the Nursery Manager in leading the nursery and ensuring exceptional standards of care, education and operational excellence.

You Will

  • Support the day-to-day leadership and smooth running of the nursery
  • Inspire and guide educators to deliver outstanding early years practice
  • Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and compliance
  • Build strong partnerships with families and the local community
  • Support team development through coaching, mentoring and feedback
  • Help prepare for Ofsted inspections and maintain regulatory standards
  • Contribute to continuous improvement across educational quality, team engagement and nursery performance

This role offers the opportunity to develop your leadership skills while making a meaningful difference in children’s learning journeys.

What We’re Looking For

You’re a confident and passionate early years professional who enjoys helping teams succeed and children flourish.

You Will Have

  • Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above)
  • Strong knowledge of EYFS, Birth to 5 Matters and child development
  • Experience in an early years setting, ideally in a senior practitioner or room leader role
  • A track record of delivering high standards of care and education
  • Experience of strong practice as a Key Person and in safeguarding, health and safety, first aid and critical care policies
  • Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills
  • GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4 / C or above) or equivalent

Most importantly, you will bring energy, empathy and ambition to create a nursery where children and educators thrive.

About Fennies – Education and Culture

We’re family-owned and family-run; this guides our culture and decision-making. Strong sense of community with systems and processes that allow educators to focus on what they do best. Quality matters to us – from people and curriculum to buildings and environments.

Take Your Next Steps

If this sounds like you, or you want to know more about what it means to be part of the Fennies family, get in touch.

Safeguarding, Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe inclusive teams create stronger learning environments. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

Safeguarding: Fennies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide proof of identity. In line with Safer Recruitment guidance, online searches may be conducted for shortlisted candidates.

Deputy Manager in Kent employer: Fennies Nurseries

At Fennies, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a nurturing environment for both children and educators. Located in Oxted, our Deputy Nursery Managers benefit from a competitive salary of up to £40,000, comprehensive support for professional development, and a strong community of passionate educators dedicated to maintaining high standards of care and education. With generous leave, wellbeing support, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Fennies is the perfect place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in early years education.
Fennies Nurseries

Contact Detail:

Fennies Nurseries Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager in Kent

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a Deputy Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and early years education. We recommend role-playing with a friend or even in front of the mirror to boost your confidence and refine your answers.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for early years education during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've inspired teams or improved educational practices in your previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about making a difference.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our community.

We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager in Kent

Leadership Skills
Early Years Qualification (Level 3 or above)
Knowledge of EYFS
Child Development Knowledge
Experience in Early Years Setting
Safeguarding Practices
Health and Safety Compliance
First Aid Knowledge
Organisational Skills
Communication Skills
Coaching and Mentoring
Team Development
Critical Care Policies
Community Engagement

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 creating a nurturing environment for children and supporting your team.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the Deputy Manager role. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values and the specific requirements of the job.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Fennies.

How to prepare for a job interview at Fennies Nurseries

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Birth to 5 Matters framework. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the standards but also passionate about delivering exceptional care and education.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or supported colleagues in an early years setting. Think about specific situations where your guidance made a difference, as this will demonstrate your capability to inspire and develop others.

✨Engage with the Community

Fennies values strong partnerships with families and the local community. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships in previous roles and how you plan to foster these connections in your new position. This shows you're aligned with their community-focused approach.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific situations, like preparing for an Ofsted inspection or addressing a safeguarding concern. Practising your responses to these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills effectively.

Deputy Manager in Kent
Fennies Nurseries
Location: Kent

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