Nursery Deputy Manager

Deputy Nursery Manager

Reports to: Nursery Manager & Business Management Team

Purpose of the Role

To support the Nursery Manager in leading and managing the setting, ensuring the highest standards of care, education, and compliance.
The Deputy Manager will mentor and inspire staff, model outstanding practice, and take full responsibility for daily operations in the absence of the Nursery Manager — while also maintaining their base room duties (e.g. Room Leader responsibilities).

Key Responsibilities

• Support and deputise for the Nursery Manager in all aspects of nursery operations.

• Lead, motivate, and inspire the staff team to deliver high-quality childcare and education.

• Ensure full compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted requirements.

• Maintain high standards of health, safety, hygiene, and welfare across the setting.

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with parents, carers, and external agencies.

• Promote the ethos and values of York Childcare, acting as a positive representative of the nursery.

• Monitor and review children’s progress, ensuring individual needs are met and learning opportunities are well-planned.

• Support administrative duties including staff supervision, rota planning, and financial tasks when required.

• Model best practice in teaching, care, and behaviour management to ensure consistency across the team.

• ‍ Mentor staff, conduct observations, and provide constructive feedback to enhance quality of provision.

• ️ Act as key holder and take responsibility for safeguarding, security, and emergency procedures.

Principal Duties

1. Lead and support Early Years Practitioners to maintain high standards of practice and professionalism.

2. Chair and contribute to team and staff meetings, occasionally during evenings.

3. Conduct regular supervisions and assist with staff appraisals.

4. Ensure health, safety, and hygiene standards are consistently upheld throughout the nursery.

5. Oversee the quality and accuracy of records, observations, and child assessments.

6. Monitor the implementation of the Quality of Education Plan and support continuous improvement.

7. Support staff wellbeing and foster a positive, inclusive working culture.

8. Coordinate staffing rotas to ensure ratios are met and operational needs covered.

9. Oversee cleanliness, maintenance, and security of all nursery areas and equipment.

10. Support curriculum delivery in line with EYFS, ensuring activities are stimulating and inclusive.

11. Liaise confidently with parents and professionals, conducting visits and tours when required.

12. Uphold all nursery policies including Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, and Confidentiality.

13. Attend training and professional development sessions, sharing knowledge with the wider team.

14. Act as Deputy Manager and assume full responsibility for the setting in the Manager’s absence.

15. Carry out any other duties as reasonably requested by the Nursery Manager or York Childcare.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.

• Excellent understanding of EYFS, child development, and safeguarding.

• A passion for providing outstanding early years care and education.

• Reliability, flexibility, and a positive, proactive attitude.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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