Deputy Manager
| Company: | Shepherds Hill Nursery |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32,000 to £38,000 a year |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Harefield |
| Working pattern: | On-site |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 8 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 8 Oct 2026 |
Summary
Shepherds Hill Nursery
Deputy Manager – Job Description
Job Title: Deputy Nursery Manager
Reports to: Nursery Manager
Hours: As stated in individual contract
Purpose of the Role
To work in close partnership with the Nursery Manager in the day-to-day leadership and running of Shepherds Hill Nursery.
The Deputy Manager is a hands-on member of the team, working directly with children and colleagues while helping maintain high standards of care, safeguarding and Early Years practice. The Deputy must be confident and able to take charge in the Manager's absence.
Leadership and Partnership
The Deputy Manager will:
work closely with the Nursery Manager
contribute to the day-to-day running and development of the nursery
use initiative and sound professional judgement
recognise what needs attention and take appropriate responsibility
lead, guide and support colleagues
model the standards expected at Shepherds Hill
communicate concerns promptly
take charge confidently when the Manager is absent
The Manager retains overall responsibility; the Deputy is a trusted and active partner in day-to-day leadership.
Working with Children
The Deputy Manager will:
work directly with children as part of the nursery team
build warm, positive and respectful relationships
provide and model high-quality Early Years practice
support learning through play, relationships and exploration
encourage independence, curiosity and confidence
respond to individual needs and promote inclusive practice
participate actively in outdoor play throughout the year
support appropriate challenge and managed risk
help maintain a calm and welcoming environment
At Shepherds Hill, we aim to make children's experiences as safe as necessary rather than as safe as possible.
Early Years Practice
The Deputy Manager will:
maintain a good working knowledge of the EYFS
support high-quality practice across the nursery
help ensure children's needs, interests and development are understood
support appropriate observation, assessment and key-person practice
contribute to reflection and continuing improvement
identify where children or staff may need additional support
work with the Manager, SEND Lead/SENCO and other professionals where appropriate
help ensure statutory requirements are reflected in practice
Safeguarding and Children's Welfare
The Deputy Manager will:
place children's safety and wellbeing at the centre of practice
follow safeguarding and child protection procedures
recognise and respond appropriately to concerns
support colleagues to follow safeguarding procedures
maintain confidentiality
help ensure statutory welfare requirements are met
follow nursery health, safety and risk procedures
help ensure required welfare records are completed appropriately
undertake required safeguarding and other relevant training
carry out designated safeguarding responsibilities where appointed and trained
Supporting the Team
The Deputy Manager will:
support, guide and encourage colleagues
model positive professional practice
help maintain a respectful and supportive team culture
give appropriate feedback and address concerns when necessary
support staff induction and development
contribute to supervision and appraisal as agreed with the Manager
recognise when colleagues need additional support
communicate openly and constructively
help ensure staff follow nursery policies and agreed ways of working
Shepherds Hill has a small team and relatively flat structure. Everyone is expected to contribute to nursery life and help one another.
Working with Families
The Deputy Manager will:
build warm and professional relationships with parents and carers
communicate appropriately about children's development and wellbeing
listen and respond sensitively to questions or concerns
deal with everyday issues and know when to refer matters to the Manager
maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
Day-to-Day Nursery Responsibilities
Working with the Manager and team, the Deputy Manager will help ensure:
safe and appropriate staffing and required ratios
children are well cared for and supervised
the environment is safe, welcoming and well organised
policies and procedures are reflected in practice
records are accurate and appropriate
risks are recognised and managed sensibly
staff and parents receive the information and support they need
the nursery meets relevant EYFS and statutory requirements
The Deputy Manager will undertake reasonable administrative and organisational duties.
Practical Nursery Life
The Deputy Manager is expected to participate fully in everyday nursery life, including:
setting up and tidying environments
meals and daily routines
toileting and personal care
outdoor play and activities
supporting children who need comfort or additional help
helping maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment
responding practically to unexpected situations
All members of the team contribute to the practical day-to-day running of the nursery.
Training and Professional Development
The Deputy Manager will:
undertake safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid and other required training
participate in supervision and appraisal
reflect on their practice and leadership
keep EYFS and statutory knowledge up to date
undertake professional development appropriate to the role
share relevant learning and support the development of nursery practice
Professional Expectations
The Deputy Manager is expected to:
be reliable, punctual and professional
demonstrate sound judgement and initiative
communicate openly with the Manager and team
take appropriate responsibility for decisions and actions
recognise professional limits and seek advice when necessary
maintain confidentiality
follow nursery policies and agreed ways of working
support Shepherds Hill's values and ethos
Our Ethos
Shepherds Hill is a small, independent nursery with a strong outdoor and nature-led approach.
We believe children thrive through warm relationships, play, exploration, appropriate challenge and time spent experiencing the natural world.
The Deputy Manager helps protect and develop this ethos while bringing their own experience, ideas and judgement.
Leadership at Shepherds Hill is hands-on. We expect our Deputy Manager to lead alongside the children and staff rather than away from them.
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