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- Tasks: Lead a team to provide quality care and education for children, especially those with special needs.
- Company: Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre is a modern nursery dedicated to nurturing young minds.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, term-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a fun, dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Level 3 childcare qualification and experience with young children, especially those with additional needs.
- Other info: Own transport is essential due to limited public transport options.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Job Description
- Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre
- Address: Wattisham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 7RE
- Salary: £14 – £17.50 per hour (pro rata)
- Hours: 32 – 37.5 hours per week, term time only
- Contract: Permanent. Required from 3 September 2025
- Reference: 0335
Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre are seeking a dedicated and passionate individual to join our team as a Deputy Manager and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). This role is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of the nursery, providing high-quality care and education, and supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This position requires a strong background in education, particularly in early childhood and special education, as well as excellent communication and organisational skills.
Responsibilities
Deputy Manager Duties:
- work closely with the Nursery Manager to deliver quality care and education for all children
- assist the Nursery Manager in the overall administration and operation of the nursery
- make confident decisions in the manager\’s absence and lead the nursery team professionally
- supervise and support staff, providing guidance and training as necessary
- you must have a good working knowledge of the EYFS, and other legislation surrounding childcare
- be a positive role model for staff and children, engaging with the nursery\’s ethos
- coordinate the planning needs of the setting, involving staff
- undertake staff supervisions, appraisals, and peer observations
- advise the nursery manager of any concerns, preserving confidentiality
- maintaining the Health and Safety of the nursery and ensuring the environment is safe and stimulating.
SENCO Duties:
- be knowledgeable of SEND issues and practice, with a passion for working with children with additional needs
- arrange EHCNA for children who need more support than an IEP/Support plan
- meet with parents of children with SEND to complete necessary paperwork for support plans and EHCPs
- ensure all practitioners in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEN and the setting\’s approach to identifying and meeting SEND
- ensure parents are actively involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting
- liaise with professionals or agencies beyond the setting
- Implement SEN support and the graduated approach of: assess, plan, do, review (learning and development plans and next steps) to meet the outcomes identified for the child.
Essential:
- childcare qualification level 3 or above
- experience of working with children aged birth to 5 years
- some experience of working with children with additional needs
- you must be approachable with the ability to listen, willingness to learn, confident to take the lead, make decisions and be flexible
- commitment to equal opportunities, the ability to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all children at nursery
- be committed to young children and their families, be friendly and approachable when liaising with parents
- to work as part of a team to provide a nurturing, enabling environment in which all individual children can play, learn and develop
- previous experience of working with young children and those with additional needs
- building strong partnerships with parent and carers
- attend out of working hours activities e.g. monthly staff meetings, training, parents evenings, fundraising events etc
- be prepared to help where needed including occasionally working in ratio, assisting the children at mealtimes and domestic jobs e.g. washing, cleaning, sterilising etc.
Desirable:
- experience in management
- level 4 SENCo accreditation qualification (or willingness to undertake the course)
- experience of working as SENCo or one-to-one with child with SEND
- some understanding of the SEN code of practice
- 2 years+ supporting children with additional needs
- writing applications for EHCP\’s (Educational Health and Care Plan)
- writing learning and development plans/ next steps for individual children.
Additional Information
- organised, with excellent planning and time management skills
- strong and demonstrate good people management skills
- ability to work as part of a team
- ability to prioritise and manage own workload
- committed to own personal development and CPD planning
- courteous manner towards parents, professionals, and colleagues
- creative and dynamic approach with the ability to \”think outside of the box\” when providing solutions
- driven, highly motivated with a reputation of being held in high regard by your peers
- excellent interpersonal/ communication skills
- reliable
- the nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre in situated 15 minutes from Stowmarket, 10 minutes from Needham Market, and 20 minutes from Ipswich. Own transport is essential as public transport is very limited.
Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre is a purpose-built nursery which opened in January 2014. We have 3 rooms, babies (3 months -2 years), toddlers (2-3 years) and Pre-school (3-5 years). We also provide holiday club for children up to the age of 5 years.
If you are passionate about making a difference in children\’s lives and with the necessary skills to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply for the Deputy Manager position and join our team.
A full Enhanced DBS will be undertaken upon job offer and 2 job references will be required.
You will be required to sign up to the DBS update service.
To find out more
Please read theJob Description (pdf)
For an informal discussion only, please call Evie Bloomfield on 01449 728928.
How to apply
Please complete the Application Form (pdf) and email it to wattishamairfieldchildcarecentre@outlook.com
Closing date: 1 pm, 28 August 2025.
About the Team
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING
To apply, please follow the application process detailed above.
This job does not have a Suffolk Jobs Direct online application form.
The \’Apply Now\’ button below only allows you to submit a job alert, not an online application.
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Deputy Manager and SENCo employer: Suffolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager and SENCo
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and current SEND legislation. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to providing high-quality care and education.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the childcare sector, especially those who have experience as a Deputy Manager or SENCo. Engaging with others can provide valuable insights and may even lead to recommendations for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've supported children with additional needs in previous roles. Highlighting your practical experience will show that you're ready to take on the responsibilities of this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre's ethos and values. Tailoring your conversation during any informal discussions or interviews to align with their mission will demonstrate your genuine interest in joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager and SENCo
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Deputy Manager and SENCo position. Understand the responsibilities and qualifications required, as this will help you tailor your application.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience working with children, particularly those with special educational needs. Provide specific examples of how you've supported children in previous roles.
Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your communication, organisational, and leadership skills in your application. Mention any relevant qualifications, such as your childcare qualification and SENCo accreditation, and how they relate to the role.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the hiring manager if possible, and express your passion for working with children and making a difference in their lives. A personal touch can make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Know Your SENCo Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of a Special Educational Needs Coordinator. Be prepared to discuss your experience with SEND and how you would implement support plans effectively.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Manager, you'll need to show that you can lead a team. Think of examples where you've successfully managed or supported staff, and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Engage with the Nursery's Ethos
Understand the values and mission of Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre. Be ready to explain how your personal philosophy aligns with their approach to childcare and education.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-life situations. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them, especially in relation to working with children with additional needs.
