Hours: 40 hours per week, all year round
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible To: Directors, Area Managers, Managers
Responsible For: Supporting Nursery Deputy, Nursery Assistants, Apprentices (under supervision)
Key Relationships / Liaison With: Parents, Carers, North Northamptonshire Council, Local Primary Schools Reception/Foundation Stage Teachers, SSS, SALT, ED Psych, OT, PHYSIO
JOB PURPOSE
The Deputy Nursery Manager role is designed to provide structured development and practical experience in all aspects of nursery management, with the aim of supporting the Nursery Manager with the successful running of the setting.
The Deputy Manager will work closely with senior management to develop the knowledge, confidence, leadership skills and operational experience required to manage a high-quality early years setting.
The post holder will gradually take increased responsibility for the day-to-day running of the nursery while maintaining high standards of safeguarding, quality of education, staff management, health and safety, parent partnership and regulatory compliance.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Management
- Lead the effective day-to-day management of the nursery.
- Develop the skills required to confidently lead the nursery in the absence of the Nursery Manager.
- Lead by example and demonstrate high standards of professional conduct.
- Lead, motivate and provide guidance to the nursery team.
- Assist with the delegation of daily duties and responsibilities.
- Ensure staff are deployed effectively while maintaining statutory ratios and qualification requirements.
- Lead the management of staff performance, conduct, attendance and punctuality.
- Assist with staff supervisions, return-to-work meetings and appraisals under the guidance of senior management.
- Lead new staff, apprentices and students through induction and ongoing development.
- Address minor staff concerns appropriately and Escalate significant concerns to senior management.
- Promote positive teamwork and a professional working culture.
- Develop confidence in having appropriate and constructive conversations with staff regarding standards and performance.
Safeguarding
- Maintain a strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
- Ensure safeguarding remains the highest priority throughout the nursery.
- Follow and promote the nursery's safeguarding and child protection policies.
- Identify and report safeguarding concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Lead staff to understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
- Ensure children's attendance, injuries, changes in behaviour and other potential safeguarding indicators are appropriately monitored.
- Maintain confidentiality and accurate safeguarding documentation.
- Develop knowledge of referrals, multi-agency working and safeguarding procedures appropriate to the management role.
Quality of Education
- Lead the delivery of a high-quality curriculum across the nursery.
- Monitor the quality of teaching, interactions and learning opportunities.
- Lead practitioners to provide developmentally appropriate activities based on children's interests and individual needs.
- Carry out room observations and provide constructive feedback under the guidance of senior management.
- Monitor observations, assessments, planning and children's learning records.
- Ensure the learning environment is stimulating, inclusive and appropriately resourced.
- Promote children's independence, communication, emotional development and readiness for their next stage of learning.
- Work alongside the SENDCo to ensure children with additional needs receive appropriate support.
- Identify areas where practice could be improved and support the implementation of improvement plans.
Staff Deployment and Ratios
- Assist with preparing and managing daily staff deployment.
- Maintain statutory staff-to-child ratios at all times.
- Ensure appropriate qualifications are considered when deploying staff.
- Organise staff breaks while maintaining safe staffing levels.
- Respond appropriately to staff absence and unexpected changes in attendance.
- Assist senior management with identifying staffing requirements.
- Develop an understanding of efficient staffing levels while ensuring children's safety and quality of provision are never compromised.
Parent and Carer Relationships
- Build professional and positive relationships with parents and carers.
- Respond appropriately to routine parent queries and concerns.
- Manage complaints in accordance with nursery procedures.
- Ensure parents receive clear and professional communication.
- Conduct nursery tours and confidently explain the nursery's provision to prospective families.
- Ensure smooth transitions for children into, within and out of the nursery.
- Escalate significant complaints or concerns to senior management.
Occupancy and Nursery Growth
- Develop an understanding of nursery occupancy and its importance to the sustainability of the setting.
- Monitor available spaces and upcoming starters and leavers.
- Respond promptly and professionally to prospective parent enquiries.
- Conduct high-quality nursery tours.
- Follow up enquiries where appropriate.
- Lead the conversion of enquiries into registrations.
- Work towards the occupancy targets set by the company.
- Organise nursery events, open days and other initiatives designed to promote the setting.
Administration and Financial Awareness
- Develop an understanding of nursery funding, invoicing and fee procedures.
- Ensure the monitoring of outstanding parent accounts and elevate concerns appropriately.
- Develop an understanding of staffing costs and efficient deployment.
- Assist with maintaining accurate registers and children's records.
- Ensure required paperwork and electronic records are completed accurately and within deadlines.
- Develop an understanding of nursery budgets, purchasing and stock control.
- Ensure nursery resources are used responsibly and unnecessary waste is minimised.
Health and Safety
- Promote a strong health and safety culture throughout the nursery.
- Ensure daily safety checks and risk assessments are completed.
- Identify hazards and ensure appropriate action is taken.
- Ensure accidents, incidents and near misses are correctly recorded and reviewed.
- Ensure compliance with COSHH requirements.
- Ensure hazardous substances are appropriately stored and inaccessible to children.
- Monitor standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.
- Ensure first aid equipment remains appropriately stocked and accessible.
- Complete and monitor fire safety procedures and emergency drills.
- Ensure staff understand emergency evacuation procedures.
- Report significant health and safety concerns promptly to senior management.
Regulatory Compliance and Ofsted Readiness
- Develop a thorough understanding of the EYFS Statutory Framework and relevant early years legislation.
- Ensure nursery policies and procedures are implemented consistently.
- Ensure the nursery remains inspection‑ready at all times.
- Assist with internal audits and action plans.
- Ensure required statutory documentation is available and up to date.
- Develop confidence in discussing the nursery's curriculum, safeguarding arrangements, SEND provision and leadership practices.
- Implement actions arising from audits, Local Authority visits or Ofsted inspections.
Daily Nursery Operations
- Manage and oversee opening and closing procedures.
- Ensure rooms are appropriately prepared before children arrive.
- Monitor the standard of the nursery environment throughout the day.
- Ensure children's routines, meals, sleep, personal care and activities are appropriately managed.
- Ensure required checks and records are completed.
- Respond calmly and appropriately to unexpected operational issues.
- Ensure information is communicated effectively between rooms, shifts and senior management.
- Arrange and oversee outings, events and additional nursery activities.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
As this is a developmental management position, the Deputy Manager will be expected to:
- Actively participate in their management development programme.
- Attend required training and development opportunities.
- Participate in regular progress reviews with senior management.
- Accept constructive feedback and demonstrate improvements in practice.
- Take increasing ownership of management responsibilities as competence develops.
- Maintain an agreed development plan.
- Demonstrate initiative and actively seek opportunities to develop management experience.
- Keep knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding, SEND, health and safety and early years best practice up to date.
- Demonstrate readiness to progress into the Nursery Manager role by meeting the competencies established by the company.
COMPETENCY AREAS
Progress should be regularly reviewed against the following core areas:
- 1. Safeguarding and child protection
- 2. Leadership and staff management
- 3. Quality of education and curriculum
- 4. EYFS and regulatory compliance
- 5. SEND and inclusive practice
- 6. Health and safety
- 7. Staff deployment and ratio management
- 8. Parent communication and complaint management
- 9. Occupancy and nursery growth
- 10. Administration and financial awareness
- 11. Professionalism, decision-making and accountability
- 12. Ability to independently oversee the day-to-day operation of the nursery
EXPECTED PROGRESSION
The Deputy Manager will receive regular reviews throughout the probation period. Responsibilities may be increased progressively as the post holder demonstrates competence, confidence and the ability to undertake management responsibilities safely and effectively.
Successful completion of the probation period will be determined by demonstrated competence across the required management areas rather than length of service alone.
Progression to Nursery Manager will therefore be subject to satisfactory performance, successful completion of the required competencies and confirmation by senior management that the employee is ready to undertake the full responsibilities of the Nursery Manager position.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Act as a positive role model for staff, children and families.
- Maintain professional boundaries.
- Demonstrate excellent attendance, punctuality and reliability.
- Follow all nursery policies and procedures.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Maintain high standards of professional conduct.
- Work flexibly to meet the operational needs of the nursery.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role as requested by senior management.
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
The Deputy Nursery Manager has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and must always comply with the nursery's safeguarding and child protection procedures.
The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, right-to-work checks and all other safer recruitment requirements applicable to the position.
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