Deputy Nursery Manager and SENCO


Company:	Les Enfants Limited
Salary:	from £29,328 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Darwen, BB3 1JE
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	19 Oct 2026
Closing date:	18 Nov 2026

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Summary

Deputy Nursery Manager & SENCO – Ark Les Enfants, Darwen

Full time / 40 hours| Permanent

Ready to lead, inspire and make a real difference to children who need it most?

At Ark Les Enfants, every child gets the best possible start, whatever their needs. Our nursery is in a stunning Victorian building with excellent facilities. Our team is warm, energetic and full of ideas. We’re part of The Ark Experience, a growing group of six nurseries across the North West and West Yorkshire. That means you get the friendliness of a small setting, with the support and career opportunities of a wider group.

We’re looking for a passionate Deputy Manager and SENCO to join us. You’ll help lead the nursery day to day and make inclusion part of everything we do. If you’re a natural champion for children, get a buzz from helping staff grow, and want to make your mark, we’d love to hear from you.

What we offer

A health care plan for you, to help with everyday health costs

30% childcare discount

Funded support for higher-level qualifications, plus a clear leadership development route across the group

Fully funded Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene training

Whole-team training days

Famly for observations and parent communication, so less paperwork and more time with children

Uniform provided

Real career progression across six settings

A welcoming, caring team who are passionate about early years and will have your back from day one

Your SENCO role: championing every child

This is a real SENCO role, with the time and support to do it properly. You will:

Spot needs early, working alongside key persons, parents and the progress check at age two

Lead the graduated approach (assess, plan, do, review) and keep our SEN register up to date

Write and review SEN support plans with clear, achievable targets, and track progress on Famly

Coach and model inclusive strategies in the rooms so every practitioner feels confident supporting children with SEND, such as visual supports, communication-friendly spaces and sensory approaches

Build strong, trusting relationships with families, so they feel listened to and part of the plan

Work closely with outside professionals, including the Area SENCO, speech and language therapists, health visitors, educational psychologists and early help teams

Lead on inclusion funding, Disability Access Fund claims and EHC needs assessment requests

Plan carefully for transitions between rooms and on to school, so every child moves on confident and well supported

Keep up to date with the SEND Code of Practice and share what you learn with the team

Protected time to focus on the SENDco role

Your Deputy role: leading alongside the Manager

Support the Nursery Manager and senior team in the smooth running of the setting

Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (full training provided)

Induct, mentor and coach staff, including observing practice and giving feedback that helps people grow

Manage rotas and cover to keep ratios safe at all times

Plan and organise staff training

Welcome prospective families and show them what makes us special

Make sure we meet every statutory requirement and are always inspection-ready

What you’ll bring

A full and relevant Level 3 qualification in Early Years (or higher)

Excellent, up-to-date knowledge of the EYFS

Experience supporting children with SEND (SENCO training desirable, but we’ll support you to get it if not)

Experience of coaching and mentoring staff

Clear, confident written and verbal communication

Energy, fresh ideas, a good sense of humour and great people skills

Ready to make your mark? Apply today. We can’t wait to meet you.

The Ark Experience is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check with barred list check, satisfactory references and the other safer recruitment checks.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

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