Are you a passionate and experienced early years professional ready to take the next step in your career? We are looking for a warm, enthusiastic and dedicated Nursery Manager to lead our vibrant day nursery and inspire a team committed to giving children the best start in life.

Epsom Downs Day Nursery provides nurturing and individualised childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years. We were proud to be deemed as outstanding by Ofsted in June 2022; “The provision is outstanding. Leaders and staff provide an awe-inspiring, creative learning environment. Children enthusiastically investigate and experiment with a variety of thoughtfully planned activities and resources. The impressive outside area offers an abundance of equipment that includes working traffic lights, a beach and construction site”.

The Day Nursery promotes the importance of outdoor play by having free flow to the outdoor areas all day long. We share excellent outdoor facilities with the school including a small farm, allotments, sports field, playground and dedicated forest school areas. We also have a secure outdoor play area and a large back garden. 

The role

As Deputy Nursery Manager, you will support the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the nursery, taking responsibility in the Nursery Manager's absence. You will be a visible and supportive leader, championing children's wellbeing, staff development and positive behaviour across the setting.

You will help create an environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired to learn, while supporting practitioners to deliver exceptional care and education.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Operations
• Support the effective daily management of the nursery.
• Provide strong leadership and guidance to practitioners.
• Maintain high standards of care, organisation and professional practice.
• Ensure nursery environments are safe, welcoming, inclusive and well resourced.
• Contribute to nursery improvement and development planning.

Wellbeing and Behaviour

• Lead and promote a nurturing, child-centred culture.
• Champion children's emotional wellbeing and secure attachments.
• Support staff to create stimulating and inclusive learning environments.
• Monitor the quality of adult-child interactions and care practices.
• Foster positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging for all children.
• Staff Development and Wellbeing
• Support the induction, mentoring and development of staff, apprentices and students.
• Promote positive team relationships and staff wellbeing.
• Contribute to supervision, training and professional development activities.
• Celebrate and share effective practice across the nursery.
• Safeguarding and Health & Safety
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture throughout the setting.
• Support safeguarding procedures and act as a positive role model.
• Monitor health and safety, hygiene and risk management procedures.
• Respond appropriately to incidents, safeguarding concerns and emergencies.
• Partnerships
• Build positive relationships with children, families and external professionals.
• Promote strong communication with parents and carers.
• Represent the nursery professionally at all times.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience working within an early years setting.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Is passionate about children's wellbeing, development and safeguarding.
• Can motivate, support and develop colleagues.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Is committed to delivering outstanding care and education.
• Understands EYFS requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and statutory regulations.

What We Offer:

• A supportive and friendly working environment
• Opportunities for professional development and training within the nursery and the wider Greensand Multi Academy Trust 
• An excellent staff assistance scheme with access to a range of wellbeing and health initiatives, including complimentary counselling, physiotherapy and a 24-hour online GP service 
• Membership of a private pension scheme 

This is a permanent role for 36 hours per week, 52.14 weeks per annum. The pay scale for this role is 14- 18 on the Greensand Support Pay Scale, £31,659 - £33,952 FTE.

Further information about the school can be found on our website. Candidates are warmly invited to contact our Headteacher, Anya Salisbury for an informal chat about the role or to arrange a visit to see us in action.

Applications will be considered upon receipt, and we reserve the right to appoint someone sooner than this if we identify a suitable candidate. You are therefore encouraged to apply for the role as soon as possible. 

Epsom Downs Day Nursery is committed to being an equal opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills. Applications are invited from all members of the community. We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of age; race; sex; disability; sexual orientation; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; religion, faith or belief (Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics). The principles of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity also apply to the way in which we treat our visitors and volunteers.

Epsom Downs Day Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions, even those that are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules, to assess suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to disclose information relevant to safeguarding prior to interview.