Ready to lead, inspire and make little moments matter?

Nursery Deputy Manager

Caring Kindergartens | Big hearts. Brilliant teams. Bright futures.

Are you ready to take the next step in your Early Years career?

Do you have the passion to help children thrive, the confidence to support a team and the ambition to make a real difference every single day?

At Caring Kindergartens, we’re looking for a fantastic Deputy Manager to help lead our nursery, inspire our team and create the kind of environment where children, families and colleagues feel they truly belong.

This is so much more than a management role. It’s an opportunity to be a positive influence, bring out the best in others and help shape the future of a nursery where children are at the heart of everything we do.

If you’re someone who leads with warmth, believes in doing things well and isn’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and get involved, we’d love to meet you!

What will you bring to the role?

As Deputy Manager, you’ll work closely with the Nursery Manager to help make sure everything runs smoothly, standards remain high and our team feels supported, confident and motivated.

You’ll be a role model for great Early Years practice, helping colleagues understand not just what we do, but why it matters.

Your role will be varied, rewarding and full of opportunities to make a difference. You will:

• Lead with heart and purpose – support, motivate and inspire your team, leading by example and helping colleagues feel valued, included and confident in their roles.

• Put children first, always – champion children’s individual needs, interests, development and wellbeing, ensuring every child has the opportunity to flourish.

• Bring out the best in people – coach and encourage colleagues, support their development and help build a team where people learn from one another and take pride in their work.

• Make quality happen every day – support high-quality teaching, learning and care, helping the nursery continually reflect, improve and deliver the best possible experiences for children.

• Keep children safe and secure – promote a strong safeguarding culture, ensure policies and procedures are followed and have the confidence to act when something isn’t right.

• Help the nursery run brilliantly – support staffing, deployment, routines, admissions, parent partnerships, records and the day-to-day organisation of the setting.

• Build meaningful partnerships – develop positive relationships with families, listen to their views and help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels heard.

• Be part of the bigger picture – work collaboratively with the Nursery Manager, colleagues and the wider Caring Kindergartens team to share ideas, solve problems and celebrate success.

What makes a great CK Deputy Manager?

We’re looking for someone who brings energy, positivity and a genuine passion for Early Years. Someone who understands that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about asking the right questions, listening to others, making thoughtful decisions and helping people succeed.

You’ll ideally have:

• A recognised Level 3 Early Years qualification or above, as required for the role.

• Experience working within an Early Years setting, with the knowledge and confidence to support high-quality practice.

• A sound understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding, health and safety and the requirements of running a nursery.

• The confidence to support colleagues, address concerns constructively and have the conversations that help people grow.

• Strong organisation, communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt when the unexpected happens.

• A positive, proactive approach and the ability to balance the needs of children, families, staff and the business.

• A genuine commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and making things better.

Previous leadership or supervisory experience would be a real advantage. Most importantly, you’ll be ready to embrace responsibility, support the Nursery Manager and help lead a team that takes pride in what it does.

Your next chapter starts here!

If you’re ready to move your career forward, develop your leadership skills and help create a nursery where children thrive and colleagues feel proud of the work they do, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need to be the finished article. You do need to care, be willing to learn, take responsibility and have the ambition to make a difference.

Come and help us grow brilliant teams, create wonderful childhoods and make every day count.

Join Caring Kindergartens – where little moments make a big difference.

Ready to take the next step? Apply today!

Why choose Caring Kindergartens?

At Caring Kindergartens, we believe that when our people feel valued, supported and inspired, they can do their very best work for our children.

We're proud to be one big team, where everyone's contribution matters, achievements are celebrated and people are encouraged to grow. We want you to feel that CK is somewhere you belong, where your voice is heard and where you can build a career you're proud of.

Here's what you can look forward to when you join us:

• A team that celebrates you – We recognise achievements, celebrate successes and value the contribution every individual makes. We want you to feel welcomed, included and appreciated as part of our team.

• Exclusive discounts and everyday savings – Enjoy access to a wide range of discounts across high street brands, travel, utilities, days out and more, helping you make your money go further.

• A helping hand with childcare costs – If your child attends a Caring Kindergartens nursery, you can benefit from a generous 60% discount on nursery fees, helping to make balancing work and family life a little easier.

• Christmas with the people who matter – We understand how important time with family and friends can be, particularly over the festive season, so we guarantee time off over the Christmas and New Year period.

• Support to help you succeed – From the training and resources you need to do your job confidently to regular check-ins and opportunities to share your thoughts, we want you to feel supported, listened to and comfortable asking questions.

• A career that can grow with you – Whether you're starting your Early Years journey or looking to take your next step, we'll work with you to explore your ambitions and development opportunities across our nurseries.

• Our NURTURE programme – We want to help you reach your potential. Our NURTURE programme supports your development and helps prepare you for future opportunities and progression within Early Years.

• Your wellbeing matters – Your health and wellbeing are important to us. You'll have access to ongoing internal support and our Employee Assistance Programme, providing additional support when you need it.

• Everything you need in one place – Our employee app makes it easier to manage your work life, with access to rotas, annual leave, policies and documents, alongside an internal social platform where colleagues share ideas, activities and team challenges.

• Inclusion from day one – We believe everyone deserves to feel welcomed, respected and included from the moment they join CK. Our Day One Inclusion approach reflects our commitment to treating every member of the team fairly and making sure everyone has the opportunity to contribute and belong.

At Caring Kindergartens, you're more than the role you do. You're part of a team that cares about children, supports one another and believes in helping people grow.

Come and be part of something special.