At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team and ensure exceptional care and education for children.
- Company: Fennies, a family-owned nursery focused on community and quality.
- Benefits: Up to £40,000 salary, bonuses, childcare discounts, and 33 days annual leave.
- Other info: Join a supportive community of educators committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's learning journeys while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience in an early years setting.
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.
Nursery Deputy Manager employer: Fennies Nurseries
Fennies is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of its team, offering a competitive salary of up to £40,000 with additional performance-related bonuses. Located in Oxted, our nursery fosters a supportive community where educators can thrive through comprehensive leadership development programmes, generous annual leave, and a strong emphasis on quality care and education. Join us to make a meaningful impact in children's lives while enjoying a fulfilling career in a family-run environment that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Deputy Manager
✨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 Nursery Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of EYFS and child development. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams and maintained high standards in your previous roles. Show them you’re the passionate leader they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on places that align with your values, like Fennies! Check out our website for the latest job openings and make sure to tailor your approach to highlight how you can contribute to our community of committed educators.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for the nursery and leave a lasting impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Deputy Manager
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 tailor your application to the role of Deputy Nursery Manager. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with our values and the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily see why you’d be a great fit for our nursery.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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 are 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 that you understand the importance of community in early years education.
✨Prepare for Ofsted Questions
Since you'll be helping prepare for Ofsted inspections, it’s wise to familiarise yourself with what inspectors look for. Think about how you can contribute to maintaining high standards and be prepared to discuss your approach to compliance and continuous improvement.