Deputy Nursery Manager

Are you a lead practitioner looking for your next career move?

We’re looking for a senior level 3 plus practitioner to support the manager with running our beautiful 32-place rural setting where relationships matter, Fridays are yours, and your leadership can truly make a difference.

At Blooming Futures Daycare, we're proud to be different.

We're a small, independent, rural nursery with just 32 places, allowing us to provide truly personal, high-quality care and education for every child. Our experienced, long-standing staff team are at the heart of everything we do, and we're looking for an inspiring Deputy Manager to support the day-to-day operations of our nursery.

This isn't about managing numbers—it's about building relationships, supporting a passionate team, creating magical childhoods, and leading a nursery where every child is truly known and valued.

If you're an experienced Early Years practitioner looking for a role where you'll be trusted, respected and supported, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

- Permanent, Full-Time

- Monday to Thursday

- 8:00am – 6:00pm

- 40 hours per week

- 51 weeks per year

- Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Why you'll love working with us

✨ Every Friday off – enjoy a genuine work-life balance with a permanent four-day working week.

✨ Competitive salary with performance bonus opportunities.

✨ Lead a beautiful 32-place rural nursery where quality always comes before quantity.

✨ Work alongside a loyal and welcoming staff team.

✨ Supportive owner who genuinely value your ideas, wellbeing and professional growth.

✨ Ongoing training and continuous professional development.

✨ Staff social events and days out.

✨ Free on-site parking.

✨ Free tea, coffee and refreshments.

✨ A genuine opportunity to shape the future of a growing independent nursery where your leadership will have a lasting impact.

About the Role

As Deputy Manager, you will support the day-to-day operations of the nursery, ensuring children receive exceptional care and education in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

You will lead by example, inspire the team, build positive relationships with families and ensure the nursery consistently meets and exceeds statutory requirements and quality standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll be actively involved in nursery rooms while driving continuous improvement across the setting and administrative duties.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead, motivate and inspire the nursery team to deliver exceptional childcare and early education.

- Ensure the nursery operates in full compliance with the EYFS Statutory Framework, Ofsted requirements and all relevant legislation.

- Promote the highest standards of safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and children's welfare.

- Create a warm, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.

- Support inductions, settling in sessions, day-to-day requirements.

- Support practitioners to achieve their full potential.

- Support the quality of teaching, learning and children's development.

- Build strong partnerships with parents, carers and external professionals.

- Maintain accurate records and documentation.

- Ensure the nursery is always inspection ready.

- Support occupancy, admissions and the continued success of the nursery.

- Manage resources effectively.

- Support continuous quality improvement across all areas of the nursery.

- Act as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (be willing to undertake the relevant training).

What We're Looking For

Essential

- A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.

*

experience as a senior leadership role.

- Excellent knowledge of the EYFS Statutory Framework, safeguarding legislation and Ofsted requirements.

- Experience, motivating and developing teams.

- Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills.

- Experience supporting staff development.

- A genuine passion for delivering exceptional childcare and education.

- An Enhanced DBS

- Paediatric First Aid qualification (or willingness to undertake required training)

You'll be someone who...

- Leads with kindness, confidence and professionalism.

- Builds strong, trusting relationships with children, families and colleagues.

- Inspires others to be the very best they can be.

- Enjoys being part of nursery life—not just behind a desk.

- Has high expectations and a genuine passion for continuous improvement.

- Wants to be part of something special and help shape the future of our nursery.

About Blooming Futures Daycare

Blooming Futures Daycare is a warm, welcoming, family-run nursery where children are known as individuals and staff are genuinely valued.

Our small size means we can offer a personal, caring environment where relationships come first. We're fortunate to have a dedicated, long-standing staff team who care deeply about what they do, and we're excited to welcome a deputy who is supportive and listens to their opinions.

If you're ready to leave the pressures of a large setting behind and support leading a nursery where quality comes first, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV.

Pay: £29,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

* Company pension

* Employee mentoring programme

* Free parking

* Referral programme

* Sick pay

Work Location: In person
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed