Step into a leadership role where you can shape children’s early experiences, support a dedicated team, and help drive the continued success of a well-respected nursery in Malvern. This is an opportunity to combine hands-on childcare with strategic input, ensuring high-quality provision and a safe, nurturing environment for every child.

About the Role:

As Nursery Deputy Manager, you will support the Nursery Manager in the day-to-day running of the setting, ensuring the highest standards of care and education in line with the EYFS. You will lead by example on the floor, guiding staff practice, overseeing planning and assessments, and helping to create an inclusive, stimulating environment where children thrive. Your role will have a direct impact on the quality of provision, staff development, and strong partnerships with parents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Nursery Manager with the daily operational running of the nursery, ensuring policies, procedures and regulatory standards are consistently met.
• Lead and supervise room teams, providing guidance, mentoring and feedback to maintain high-quality practice and a positive working culture.
• Oversee planning and delivery of age-appropriate EYFS activities that promote learning, development and school readiness.
• Monitor and quality-assure observation, assessment and record-keeping practices to ensure accurate tracking of children’s progress.
• Take a lead role in safeguarding and child protection procedures, responding promptly and appropriately to any concerns.
• Promote and model positive behaviour management strategies, supporting staff to implement consistent approaches.
• Ensure high standards of health, safety, hygiene and cleanliness across the setting, including risk assessments and daily checks.
• Build and maintain effective communication with parents and carers, including key person meetings, progress updates and addressing queries or concerns.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience working in an early years setting with responsibility for leading or supervising staff.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework and current early years best practice.
• Demonstrable experience in safeguarding and child protection, including following reporting procedures.
• Competence in observation, assessment and maintaining accurate children’s records.
• Experience implementing positive behaviour management strategies in an early years environment.
• Ability to plan and organise workloads, manage time effectively and prioritise competing demands.
• Confident communicator, able to engage professionally with children, parents, staff and external professionals.
• Ability to support inclusive practice and adapt provision for children with additional needs.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience contributing to or leading early years curriculum planning across multiple rooms or age groups.
• Previous experience as a Deputy Manager, Room Leader or similar senior role in a nursery.
• Experience supporting staff performance reviews, supervisions and training.
• Familiarity with digital systems for record keeping, planning and parent communication.

Qualifications:

• Level 3 (or above) qualification in Early Years / Childcare (e.g. Early Years Educator or equivalent) – essential.
• Up-to-date Paediatric First Aid certificate – essential or willingness to obtain.
• Safeguarding and Child Protection training to a designated or senior level – desirable.
• Additional training in SEN/Inclusion, behaviour management or leadership and management – desirable.

If you’re a committed early years professional ready to take the next step in leadership, this role offers the scope and support to make a real difference—apply now to be considered.