Maybe you don't need another Room Leader job.
Maybe you need someone to give you the next one.
Tiny Tots Recruitment is recruiting a Deputy Nursery Manager in Chingford for an established nursery that is unusually open about considering experienced leaders who are ready to step up into Deputy level, rather than demanding years of previous Deputy Manager experience.
The employer is looking for either an existing Deputy or somebody who has already proved themselves in nursery leadership and is confident taking the next step. Importantly, they also state that the successful person will receive training and support to carry out the role.
That makes this worth looking at if you've reached the point where another sideways move isn't going to do much for your career.
What changes when you become Deputy?
You start looking beyond your own room.
One minute you'll be supporting a Room Leader whose team isn't quite working together.
The next you'll be checking that environments are properly organised, helping practitioners strengthen their Key Person practice or making a decision because the Nursery Manager isn't available.
You'll be expected to:
Work in partnership with the Nursery Manager Support the day-to-day operation of the nursery Deputise confidently when the Manager is absent Supervise and support practitioners across the setting Help Room Leaders run calm, organised rooms Model high-quality interactions with children Help practitioners extend children's learning and thinking Make sure nursery environments are engaging and resources are accessible Support staff with their Key Person responsibilities Maintain accurate nursery records and documentation Keep safeguarding, health and safety and EYFS requirements firmly embedded Understand and follow nursery policies and procedures Maintain consistency across the whole setting rather than concentrating on one room
The employer also expects the Deputy and Nursery Manager to work complementary shifts so there is strong senior leadership coverage across the nursery day.
Who are they willing to give the opportunity to?
This is the important bit.
You do not necessarily need to already be a Deputy Manager.
The current employer advert specifically welcomes someone confident about taking that next step after building significant leadership experience.
You'll need:
A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification Strong nursery experience At least two years' Room Leader experience Substantial experience leading other practitioners Good knowledge of the EYFS Confidence with safeguarding and health and safety The ability to support and guide staff Good organisational skills Confidence stepping into the Manager's responsibilities when required
So this isn't a jump straight from practitioner to Deputy.
But if you've been a strong Room Leader for a few years and you've outgrown the room, this could be the move that finally gives you nursery-wide experience.
A smaller setting where you'll actually know the whole team
The nursery is based on Friday Hill East in Chingford and cares for children from around three months to four years.
It has capacity for approximately 50 children, so this isn't a 150-place operation where the Deputy barely knows half the practitioners by name.
The setting operates:
Monday to Friday 7:30am to 6:00pm with closure on bank holidays.
The nursery's own current information also shows an established management structure already in place, including an Operational Director/Nursery Manager and somebody currently developing at trainee Deputy level.
That suggests a setting where progression into leadership is something that actually happens within the team.
What they're offering
This one is all employer-confirmed:
£30,000 to £33,000 per year Permanent, full-time employment Company pension Employee discount Discounted or free food Free parking On-site parking Training and support within the Deputy role Opportunity to progress from experienced Room Leader into nursery-wide leadership
The salary isn't the highest Deputy salary we've seen during this project.
But that's partly why I think the step-up angle matters.
For an established Deputy already earning £36k elsewhere, this probably isn't the advert that moves them.
For a Room Leader who has been trying to get somebody to give them their first genuine Deputy opportunity, £30k to £33k with direct support could be much more compelling.
If you're looking for your first Deputy Nursery Manager job in Chingford, an Early Years Deputy role in E4 or the next career step after Room Leader in East London, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today through Tiny Tots Recruitment for a confidential conversation about the opportunity.