At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the nursery manager and help create a nurturing environment for children.
- Company: Join a family-run business passionate about shaping futures.
- Benefits: Free meals, childcare discounts, and enhanced leave for family matters.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a certified Great Place to Work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a fun, supportive setting.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in early years and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day? Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.
This is a fixed-term role to cover maternity leave. We’re now looking for a Deputy Manager to join our team, someone who’s ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.
Why Kids Planet Haywards Heath?
- There are two large outdoor areas with fun activities for the children
- The nursery is in a beautifully converted Barn building, retaining many of the original features
- Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
- Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
- Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
- 80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply
What we offer our Deputy Managers:
- Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
- Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
- Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
- Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
- Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
- Take the day off on your birthday, it’s all about you!
- Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
- Friendly central support team always on hand to help.
How you’ll make a difference as a Deputy Manager:
- Through working alongside the manager to help with all areas of running the nursery, making sure everything runs smoothly day to day.
- By building warm, trusting relationships with families and working together with outside agencies to support each child’s growth and wellbeing.
- Guiding and supporting the nursery team, keeping children safe at all times and bringing the EYFS to life in a way that’s fun, engaging, and meets all requirements.
What a Deputy Manager needs:
- Must be at least Level 3 qualified in a UK recognised early years qualification.
- Excellent understanding of EYFS.
- Extensive knowledge of safeguarding children.
- Leadership experience within a nursery setting.
We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role. We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self and flourish!
Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.
Deputy Manager - Kids Planet Haywards Heath employer: Kids Planet
At Kids Planet Haywards Heath, we believe in shaping futures with heart and passion, making us an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in early years education. Our vibrant work culture is built on care, curiosity, and collaboration, offering extensive employee growth opportunities through accredited training and a supportive team environment. With benefits like 80% childcare discount, free meals, and enhanced leave policies, we ensure our staff feel valued and empowered every day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Kids Planet Haywards Heath
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Kids Planet! Research their values and culture so you can show how you align with their mission during your interview. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about shaping futures.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips on what it’s really like to work there and might even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some thoughtful questions for your interview. Ask about their approach to early years education or how they support staff development. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Kids Planet family.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager - Kids Planet Haywards Heath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for early years shine through! We want to see how much you care about shaping futures and making a difference in children's lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the Deputy Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and understanding of EYFS, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications!
Be Authentic:We love authenticity! Be yourself in your application and share your unique experiences that align with our values of care, curiosity, and love for early years.
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 fantastic opportunity at Kids Planet Haywards Heath.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kids Planet
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Be ready to discuss how you can bring it to life in a fun and engaging way for the children. Think about specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your knowledge.
✨Show Your Passion for Child Development
Kids Planet is all about shaping futures, so let your passion for early years shine through! Prepare to share stories about how you've positively impacted children's growth and wellbeing in previous roles. This will show them you're not just qualified, but genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Build Relationships with Families
Since building warm, trusting relationships with families is key, think of ways you've successfully engaged with parents in the past. Be ready to discuss how you would approach communication and collaboration with families to support their children's development.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Manager, you'll need to guide and support your team. Prepare to talk about your leadership style and provide examples of how you've led a team in a nursery setting. Highlight any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them to keep everything running smoothly.
