Deputy Nursery Manager - Job Share

Job description and person specification

Job share • Three days (30 hours) per week for each postholder

At Little Orchard, we want every child to feel safe, valued and inspired to explore. Our Deputy Nursery Managers help create a welcoming Montessori environment where children develop independence, families feel listened to, and staff have the confidence and support to do their best work.

The purpose of your role

Working alongside the Nursery Manager and your job-share partner, you will support the daily running of the nursery and lead high-quality care and learning for children aged birth to five. You will be a visible, approachable leader, model the Little Orchard way and deputise for the Manager when required. You may also lead a room or an agreed area of nursery practice.

Living our values

• Inspire — encourage curiosity, model thoughtful practice and help children and colleagues enjoy learning.
• Empower — support children’s independence and help staff build skills, confidence and ownership of their work.
• Respect — listen carefully, value individual differences and treat children, families and colleagues with kindness and dignity.

Making the job share work

Both postholders hold the same deputy role and share responsibility for continuity and consistent standards. The Manager will agree on each person’s focus areas and working days. Both deputies work on the Manager’s day off and jointly provide management cover. An agreed lead deputy will coordinate the day and be the first point of contact for staff, with clear responsibilities for both postholders. The deputy on duty takes responsibility for their decisions and follows through on agreed actions.

• Keep a clear, confidential handover covering children’s needs, staffing, family communication, incidents and outstanding actions. Escalate urgent concerns immediately rather than waiting for a handover.
• Use agreed shared records so that tasks have a named lead, a clear deadline and a recorded outcome. Agree significant changes with the Manager and keep each other informed.
• On the shared working day, prioritise nursery leadership and management cover. Plan handover and joint review time around children’s needs and staffing and maintain consistent expectations and messages for staff and families.

Your main responsibilities

Children’s care and Montessori learning

• Create a calm, nurturing environment where children feel secure, build positive relationships and are supported to develop at their own pace.
• Model Montessori practice through purposeful resources, a thoughtfully prepared environment, careful observation and opportunities for children to make choices and become independent.
• Support the team to plan meaningful learning experiences in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, taking account of children’s interests, development and individual needs.
• Oversee observation, assessment and planning within your room or agreed area. Help staff recognise progress, identify concerns and put appropriate support in place.
• Support responsive routines for meals, rest, personal care and transitions, respecting each child’s needs and dignity.
• Work with the SENCO, families and outside professionals to support children with special educational needs and disabilities and remove barriers to participation.

Safeguarding and a safe environment

• Put children’s safety and wellbeing at the centre of your decisions. Recognise, record and report concerns promptly through Little Orchard’s safeguarding procedures.
• Help staff understand safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and how to raise concerns. Promote a culture where people feel able to speak up.
• Follow the nursery’s procedures for supervision, attendance checks, arrivals, collections, visitors and security. Help ensure appropriate staffing and deployment throughout the day.
• Promote safe practice in relation to allergies, medication, accidents, sleep, hygiene, food safety and the nursery environment. Ensure records are accurate and concerns are acted on.
• Complete and review relevant checks and risk assessments, address hazards promptly and keep the Manager informed of incidents or unresolved risks.

Leading and supporting the team

• Be an approachable role model who combines warmth with clear expectations. Challenge with care when practice falls short and recognise progress and good work.
• Support staff, apprentices and new colleagues through induction, practical coaching, feedback and agreed development opportunities.
• Encourage reflection and professional discussion. Help colleagues understand why we do things the Little Orchard way and how their practice affects children.
• Support an inclusive team culture, notice when colleagues need help and raise staffing or wellbeing concerns with the Manager sensitively.

Working with families and running the nursery

• Build trusting relationships with parents and carers. Share meaningful information about their child and listen to their knowledge, questions and concerns.
• Handle difficult conversations calmly and professionally, follow the complaints procedure and involve the Manager where needed.
• Support the Manager with staffing arrangements, daily organisation, accurate records and implementation of company policies and procedures.
• When deputising, lead the nursery within your agreed authority, make clear decisions and seek support from the appropriate senior leader when needed.
• Contribute to nursery improvement, preparation for inspection and follow-up actions. Keep the Manager and your job-share partner informed of progress.
• Use nursery systems confidently and protect confidential information. Maintain clear records so colleagues can provide consistent care and support.

Person specification

We are looking for a caring, reliable leader who enjoys working alongside others and shares our commitment to children, families and the Little Orchard values.

Essential qualifications and experience

• A minimum Level 3 qualification in early years, or an equivalent approved qualification appropriate to the role.
• At least two years’ experience in a nursery or similar early years setting, with experience of leading a room or supervising a team.
• A good standard of English and maths, with GCSE grades A–C or 4–9, or equivalent qualifications.
• A strong working knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding practice and the Ofsted inspection framework, with the ability to apply this in daily practice.

Essential skills and personal qualities

• Warm, clear communication with children, families and colleagues; accurate written records; and confidence using administrative and IT systems.
• Effective leadership, sound judgement and the ability to prioritise, take initiative and remain calm when the nursery is busy.
• A respectful, inclusive approach and an understanding of children under five, including their different needs and experiences.
• A commitment to Montessori practice, reflective learning and professional development.
• The ability to work positively in a job share: share information, agree priorities, follow through on actions and maintain consistent expectations.

Desirable experience and training

Montessori training or experience; SENCO experience; paediatric first aid; safeguarding training; food hygiene; and manual handling training. The training required will be agreed as part of induction and development planning.

This description outlines the main responsibilities. Other reasonable duties appropriate to the role may be agreed with the Nursery Manager. Working arrangements and any additional cover will be agreed in advance; the job share does not create an expectation of availability on non-working days.

• Childcare Discount
• Company Pension
• Lots of training available
• Free and Confidential, Counselling helpline for staff members and family
• Exclusive staff benefit discount club