Deputy Nursery Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION – DEPUTY MANAGER

Supporting high-quality, inclusive childcare, education and safeguarding

Position

Deputy Manager

Responsible for

Nursery assistants, students and volunteers on a day-to-day basis

Responsible to

Nursery Manager / Acting Manager and the Management Committee / Trustees

Enhanced DBS

An enhanced DBS check is required before appointment can be confirmed.

Role status

Key holder and member of the nursery leadership/management team

1. Purpose of the Role

The Deputy Manager will work closely with the Nursery Manager to support the effective day-to-day leadership and management of Bright Sparks Nursery. The post holder will help ensure that all children receive high-quality, inclusive play, learning, care and development opportunities in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.

The Deputy Manager will support the Manager in maintaining high standards of practice, safeguarding and welfare, staff deployment, health and safety, administration, curriculum and assessment, and partnership working with parents, carers and external agencies.

The role includes working directly with children for a significant proportion of the working day and undertaking the duties of the Manager when required, including deputising in the Manager's absence.

2. Safeguarding, Welfare and Child Protection

· Actively promote and support the safeguarding and welfare of all children at Bright Sparks Nursery.

· Ensure that staff, students and volunteers understand and follow safeguarding policies, procedures and the setting's code of practice.

· Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information about children and families, in accordance with safeguarding procedures, GDPR and data protection requirements.

· Support the Manager with safeguarding concerns, referrals, record keeping and liaison with relevant outside agencies.

· Ensure the nursery remains safe and secure and that appropriate risk assessments and safety procedures are in place.

3. Leadership and Management

· Work under the direction of the Nursery Manager and deputise for them as and when required.

· Lead and support a team of professional workers, promoting positive relationships and consistently high standards of practice.

· Assist the Manager with setting and implementing the nursery's aims, objectives, policies and procedures.

· Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursery, including staffing, deployment, ratios, organisation and smooth operation.

· Ensure staff are deployed appropriately throughout each day and that staffing levels are maintained in accordance with relevant legislation, EYFS/Department for Education guidance and nursery procedures.

· Act as a key holder and, when required, take responsibility for opening and closing the nursery.

· Assist with staff schedules, rotas and the effective organisation of the workforce.

· Attend and contribute to staff meetings, planning meetings and training sessions as required.

· Assist with staff development and training, including peer observations, feedback and supporting good practice.

· Supervise and support students on placement within the setting.

· Undertake other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as reasonably determined by the Nursery Manager / Trustees.

4. Quality of Education, Curriculum and Child Development

· Support the provision of high-quality, inclusive play and learning opportunities for all children.

· Work in the nursery with children for a significant part of the working day, fulfilling many aspects of the Nursery Assistant and Key Person role.

· Ensure the environment provides opportunities for children's emotional, social, physical and educational development through individual attention, group activities and high-quality provision.

· Help ensure the setting meets the individual needs of children from different cultures, religious backgrounds and stages of development.

· Assist with the development and implementation of systems to monitor and record children's development, including Tapestry, Two-Year Checks and developmental tracking.

· Support effective transitions into nursery and when children move on to school or other educational provision.

· Support the SENCO and wider SEN team, with a clear understanding of the SENCO role and the setting's approach to supporting children with additional needs. Be willing to undertake SENCO training to support the manager and the setting.

· Where appropriate, contribute to individual education/support plans, liaise with professionals and provide advice and support to staff and parents/carers.

5. Parents, Carers and Partnership Working

· Build positive, respectful and professional relationships with parents, carers and families.

· Be approachable, friendly and able to communicate effectively at all times.

· Liaise with parents, carers, family members and staff to ensure children's individual needs are met and parental choice is considered in relation to care and support.

· Assist the Manager with showing parents/carers around the setting and providing relevant information.

· Support effective communication with families about children's care, learning, development and wellbeing.

· Liaise with outside agencies and other professionals as required.

6. Health, Safety, Security and Premises

· Ensure high standards of health, safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times.

· Support staff awareness and compliance with relevant health and safety standards.

· Assist with ensuring that the nursery environment, equipment, furnishings and fittings are safe, suitable and well maintained.

· Support the Manager with the efficient upkeep and stock of equipment, resources, furnishings and fittings.

· Maintain staff awareness of fire drill procedures and support/lead fire drills and emergency procedures in accordance with the nursery's policies.

· Support the nursery's secure arrival, collection and visitor procedures.

· Ensure appropriate risk assessments are completed and followed.

7. Administration, Funding and Records

· Assist with the implementation of administrative procedures relating to registration, place allocation and other nursery records.

· Support accurate and timely recording of children's attendance, development, care and other relevant information.

· Assist with systems for monitoring and recording child development, including Tapestry, Two-Year Checks and tracking.

· Monitor receipt and appropriate use of Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) funding, where delegated, and maintain appropriate records.

· Maintain confidentiality of all information received and ensure records are handled in line with safeguarding, GDPR and nursery procedures.

8. Opening, Closing and Daily Organisation

· Take responsibility for opening and/or closing the nursery when required.

· Ensure the nursery is safe and secure at the beginning and end of the day.

· Support the daily set-up and clear-away of the environment and resources.

· Ensure that the organisation of the environment contributes to a stimulating, safe and welcoming experience for children.

9. Professional Responsibilities

· Promote the aims, values and objectives of Bright Sparks Nursery at all times.

· Maintain professional conduct and positive working relationships with colleagues, families, trustees, students, volunteers and external professionals.

· Comply with all nursery policies and procedures and meet responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation.

· Keep knowledge and practice up to date through appropriate training, professional development and reflection.

· Reflect on current practice and work collaboratively with others to identify and implement improvements or developments.

Carry out other reasonable duties appropriate to the level and nature of the post, as determined by the Nursery Manager / Trustees.

10. Person Specification – Key Requirements

Essential

Desirable

Skills, aptitude, knowledge and experience.

§ Experience in managing staff, motivating teams and recruiting new staff members

§ An understanding of staff induction, supervision, and appraisal processes.

§ Previous experience of caring for, or working with children under 5yrs in a voluntary or paid capacity.

§ A commitment to the provision of high quality childcare with an interest in the care, learning and development of young children.

§ Knowledge of child development and the current early years foundation stage.

§ Proven administrative experience, including handling confidential staff and child records.

§ A positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities.

§ An understanding of the foundation stage curriculum.

§ An understanding of the Early learning goals.

Personal Qualities:

§ Enthusiasm for working with young children

§ Good organisational, record keeping a planning skills.

§ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with colleagues, parents, careers and children.

§ A positive approach to inclusive practice, with children, colleagues, parents and careers.

§ Punctuality

§ Patience

§ Reliability and trustworthiness

§ Ability to work flexibly and take responsibility for the smooth running of the nursery when deputising for the Manager.

§ Flexibility- occasionally working hours might be changed, e.g. if the setting hosts a parents evening

§ Able to work in small teams.

§ Leadership and management skills

Qualifications

§ Considerable, proven experience of working within a childcare setting.

§ Completion of a CWDC recognised full and relevant level 3 childcare qualification.

§ A positive approach to gaining further qualifications.

§ Some understanding of the importance of Health and safety and food Hygiene in the work place.

§ Willingness to undertake SENCO Training

§ Completion (or working towards) level 4 \& 5 in management and childcare.

§ Completion of designated leads safeguarding.

§ Health and safety certificate

§ First aid

§ Completion of other relevant courses.

11. Review of Job Description

This job description is not intended to be a complete inventory of all activities that the post holder may be expected to undertake. The post holder is required to comply with all nursery policies and procedures and to meet their responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and current early years guidance.

The job description may be reviewed and amended in light of future developments, changes in legislation, guidance or the needs of the nursery. The post holder will be actively involved in any such review.

12. Approval and Review

Document

Deputy Manager Job Description

Setting

Bright Sparks Nursery

Approved / reviewed by

Nursery Manager / Management Committee / Trustees

Review date

Pay: £12,586.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person