At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Nursery Manager in leading a passionate team and ensuring high-quality care for children.
- Company: Little Larks Day Nursery, a friendly and experienced team in a beautiful countryside setting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, part-time hours, additional leave, childcare discounts, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with excellent career growth opportunities and fun staff events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and substantial early years’ experience required.
The predicted salary is between 29556 - 29556 £ per year.
Little Larks Day Nursery is seeking an experienced, confident and motivated Deputy Nursery Manager to support our Nursery Manager in leading our established team and maintaining excellent standards of care and education for children aged 3 months to 5 years. You will help manage day-to-day nursery operations and take responsibility for the nursery in the Manager’s absence.
Your responsibilities will be to:
- Support the Nursery Manager with daily leadership, organisation and effective staff deployment.
- Lead, coach and motivate practitioners, supporting supervision and professional development.
- Take responsibility for nursery operations in the Manager’s absence.
- Maintain high standards of safeguarding, EYFS practice, health and safety and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor the quality of care and learning, and build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
- Support continuous improvement and consistent implementation of nursery policies.
What you will need:
- A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above (essential).
- Substantial early years’ experience, ideally in a Third in Charge or Deputy Manager role.
- Strong EYFS and safeguarding knowledge, confident decision-making and excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- Approachable, reliable and able to lead by example while maintaining clear professional expectations.
About us: Little Larks is an independently owned private day nursery and pre-school, set in a beautiful countryside location near Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds. We provide high-quality care and early years education for children aged 3 months to 5 years. We’re proud of our friendly, experienced team, with over a third of our practitioners having been with us for more than five years.
What we will offer you:
- Competitive hourly rate.
- Permanent part-time role, minimum 24 hours per week, with scope for additional hours.
- An additional day of annual leave after two years’ service.
- Nursery closure over Christmas and New Year (using annual leave entitlement).
- 10% staff childcare discount and workplace pension.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Free uniform, enhanced DBS check and on-site parking.
- Staff referral programme and staff Christmas party.
For more information about the position, please contact the nursery.
How to apply: Please apply by sending your CV and a short covering statement by email to us. Closing date: 1pm, 21 November 2026.
Little Larks Day Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Appointment is subject to safer recruitment checks, including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.
Deputy Manager employer: Suffolk Jobs Direct
King Edward VI School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on students' lives. With opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive benefits package through Suffolk County Council, including a Local Government Pension Scheme, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to enhancing the educational experience. Located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, the school provides convenient access to public transport and on-site parking, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about supporting young people.
