Deputy Manager

Kinderland Day Nursery is a family run business that has been delivering high-quality childcare in Croydon since 1995. Following the long-standing success of our South Croydon nursery, we proudly opened our brand new setting in January 2025.

We are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where children feel happy, safe, engaged, and valued. While our facilities and resources are excellent, we believe our team is our greatest strength and the heart of everything we do. At Kinderland, we are kind, we value our feelings, we have fun, we learn together, we recognise that we are all important, and we are always growing.

We are looking for a fun, kind, and caring Deputy Manager with a genuine passion for Early Years education to join our expanding Central Croydon team.

This is primarily an office based role, supporting the day-to-day running and organisation of the nursery. However, we are looking for someone who is happy to step into the rooms when needed, supporting the team and ensuring continuity of high-quality care.

We would love our new Deputy Manager to bring fresh, creative ideas and enthusiasm to the role, while also being open to learning from our nearly 30 years of experience as a successful, family run nursery.

Why choose Kinderland Day Nursery?

• Family-run setting with a warm, welcoming culture
• Supportive management and friendly team
• 50% childcare discount for staff
• Ongoing CPD and regular salary reviews
• Excellent training and career progression opportunities
• Staff Member of the Term – £200 voucher reward
• Room of the Term – £25 voucher reward
• 31 days holiday (rising with service up to 36 days)
• Wellbeing support initiatives

Purpose of post:

• Work as part of the Management team to promote the ethos of the Nursery and assist in the organisation of high-quality provision for all the little ones in our care
• Support and Deputise for the Nursery Manager
• Ensure all children are safeguarded and their welfare and safety is promoted
• Inspire, support and lead our wonderful team
• Support our Room Leaders and Deputy Room Leaders
• Be actively involved in induction, recruitment, training and supervision
• Role model innovative practice

To be considered for the Deputy Manager role you must have the minimum of a relevant Level 3 childcare qualification, good knowledge of child development and leadership experience but also..
· Good communication skills
· Desire to help children develop and grow to achieve their full potential!
· Sense of humour
· Enthusiasm and patience
· An attentive and compassionate nature
· A BIG smile!

The role is Monday - Friday working shifts (43.75 hours p/w)

If you’re looking for a rewarding role in a supportive, family run nursery where your ideas are valued, your development is supported, and you can make a real difference every day, we would love to hear from you.

Additional information: Our nursery is situated in Central Croydon, with convenient transport links to East Croydon Station, South Croydon Station and West Croydon Station. The nearest tram stops are George Street Tram Stop, Wellesley Road Tram Stop and East Croydon Tram Stop. We are also conveniently locared for many bus routes.

At Kinderland Day Nursery Ltd we work with children, parents, external agencies, and the community to ensure the welfare and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Children have the right to be treated with respect, be helped to thrive and to be safe from any abuse in whatever form. We support the children within our care, protect them from maltreatment and have robust procedures in place to prevent the impairment of children’s health and development. In our setting we strive to protect children from the risk of radicalisation, and we promote acceptance and tolerance of other beliefs and cultures.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

We have named persons within the nursery who take lead responsibility for safeguarding and

co-ordinate child protection and welfare issues, known as the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL), there is always at least one designated person on duty during the opening hours of the setting.

All applicants should be aware that a huge part of the role is ensuring children are continuously safeguarded from any harm. Any job offers will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, thorough referencing, an induction programme, and 3 months’ probation period. All successful candidates will be given lots of training upon starting their role.

The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Please detail any criminal convictions except those 'spent', or otherwise ‘protected’, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you have none,  please state. Employment is dependent upon obtaining a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Certificate from the Disclosure & Barring Service.

At Kinderland Day Nursery Ltd we work with children, parents, external agencies, and the community to ensure the welfare and safety of children and to give them the very best start in life. Children have the right to be treated with respect, be helped to thrive and to be safe from any abuse in whatever form. We support the children within our care, protect them from maltreatment and have robust procedures in place to prevent the impairment of children’s health and development. In our setting we strive to protect children from the risk of radicalisation, and we promote acceptance and tolerance of other beliefs and cultures.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

We have named persons within the nursery who take lead responsibility for safeguarding and co-ordinate child protection and welfare issues, known as the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL), there is always at least one designated person on duty during the opening hours of the setting.

All applicants should be aware that a huge part of the role is ensuring children are continuously safeguarded from any harm. Any job offers will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, thorough referencing, an induction programme, and 3 months’ probation period. All successful candidates will be given lots of training upon starting their role.

The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Please detail any criminal convictions except those 'spent', or otherwise ‘protected’, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you have none,  please state. Employment is dependent upon obtaining a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Certificate from the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Data protection

We are aware of our obligations under data protection legislation, including the obligation to collect only the data that is required for our specific purpose. The information collected in this application form is specific to our recruitment exercise and necessary for the performance of the role that you have applied for. If you are recruited for the role you have applied for, or any other role you are offered by us, the information provided will then be used for the purposes of your employment with us, together with further information collected upon recruitment for those purposes. We are aware of our obligations under data protection legislation, including the obligation to collect only the data that is required for our specific purpose. The information collected in this application form is specific to our recruitment exercise and necessary for the performance of the role that you have applied for. If you are recruited for the role you have applied for, or any other role you are offered by us, the information provided will then be used for the purposes of your employment with us, together with further information collected upon recruitment for those purposes.

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Employee discount
• Referral programme
• Wellness programme