Three rooms. Up to 57 children. A big outdoor environment. And a team that needs a strong number two.
Tiny Tots Recruitment is recruiting an experienced Deputy Nursery Manager in Hayes for an established nursery caring for children from three months through to five years.
This opportunity suits someone who enjoys the operational side of nursery leadership but doesn't want to become disconnected from practice.
You'll work alongside the Nursery Manager, moving between the different areas of the setting, supporting staff, checking standards and helping everything work together properly.
The setting at a glance
The nursery has three distinct areas:
Baby Room A calmer sensory environment designed for up to nine babies.
Toddler Room A larger space supporting communication, confidence, social interaction and imaginative play.
Preschool Room Focused increasingly on independence, listening, language, literacy and preparing children for their transition into school.
Outside is where this setting becomes particularly interesting.
The nursery sits on secure educational grounds with access to substantial grassed and woodland areas, giving children opportunities for physical activity, exploration and learning about the natural world throughout the year.
What changes when you're the Deputy?
You're no longer responsible for just one group of children or one room.
You'll need to see the bigger picture.
That means helping with:
Day-to-day nursery operations Staff deployment and room organisation Supporting practitioners and Room Leaders Coaching and mentoring less experienced team members Quality of teaching and learning across the nursery EYFS planning and assessment Safeguarding and welfare standards Parent communication Staff rotas and resources Internal quality checks Ofsted preparation Maintaining consistency between nursery rooms Stepping up when the Nursery Manager is unavailable
The employer's own current senior-role specification includes supporting daily operations, mentoring staff, helping organise rotas and rooms, contributing to quality assurance and supporting Ofsted preparation.
Who would fit this well?
Probably someone who has already spent a few years becoming very good at nursery life.
You might currently be a:
Deputy Nursery Manager Third in Charge Senior Nursery Practitioner Room Leader ready for broader responsibility
You'll need a full and relevant early years qualification, ideally Level 3 or above, alongside strong practical knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding.
But leadership style matters just as much.
We're looking for someone who can walk into a room and quickly understand what is going well, what needs attention and how to help the practitioner rather than simply criticising them.
Someone organised enough to deal with rotas and compliance but still warm enough that children naturally come over to say hello.
A particularly good role if school readiness interests you
Because the nursery operates from a school campus, there are strong links with nearby primary provision.
Preschool children are supported with skills including listening, attention, memory, communication, early literacy and independence, while links with local schools help support the eventual transition into mainstream education.
That makes this a good setting for a Deputy who is interested in quality of education and children's progression, rather than leadership being purely administrative.
What you'll get £35,000 to £38,000 per year Permanent, full-time employment Monday to Friday working Nursery opening hours of 8am to 6pm Two-week Christmas closure Ongoing training and CPD Professional development opportunities Career progression Supportive wider nursery organisation Extensive outdoor and woodland provision Strong links with local schools Opportunity to influence practice across babies, toddlers and preschool
The employer currently advertises its senior early years roles as permanent and full-time and specifically promotes ongoing CPD, professional development, career progression and a supportive team environment.
If you want your next move to give you real nursery-wide responsibility without losing the hands-on part of early years, this one is worth a conversation.
Apply today through Tiny Tots Recruitment for a confidential discussion about this Deputy Nursery Manager job in Hayes.