Deputy Nursery Manager
| Posting date: | 12 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32,000 to £36,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 31 March 2026 |
| Location: | TS15 9EJ |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Yarm School |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Little Phoenix Deputy Nursery Manager:
This is the start of an exciting journey for Yarm School with the opening of the Little Phoenix Nursery, September 2026. It is a chance to help set up and build a nursery that sets the benchmark for quality childcare and early years education in a brand new state of the art facility. Beautiful indoor & outdoor spaces will support the well-being of both children and staff, with the roof terrace offering a unique space to play. Situated close to Yarm high street the Deputy Manager will help build strong relationships with the wider community. While within the nursery they will have the opportunity to guide, coach & mentor educators new to their role, and be central in establishing an outstanding quality of care for babies & children aged 0-3 years.
The Deputy Manager supports the Nursery Manager and plays a key leadership role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality childcare, education, and operational excellence. This position requires strong leadership, strategic oversight, and a commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Please review the full job description on our website vacancy page.
About You:
We are seeking a dedicated, forward-thinking and ambitious Deputy Nursery Manager who is committed to providing outstanding childcare and early years education. You will bring energy, vision, and strategic leadership to the role, ensuring the very best outcomes for children, families, and staff.
You will have excellent communication skills, enabling you to build strong relationships with children, parents, colleagues, and external partners. A problem-solver with the ability to lead change, you will inspire confidence and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Level 3 or above in Childcare/Early Years (e.g. NNEB, CACHE, BTEC National Diploma, NVQ Level 3, or equivalent).
- A minimum of 3 years experience in a senior leadership or management role within early years.
- Approved Paediatric First Aid qualification
- Previous experience as a Deputy Nursery Manager (or equivalent leadership role) is essential.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, develop, and motivate staff teams.
- Proven track record of driving improvements, raising standards, and managing change effectively.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding.
- A strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and commitment to delivering high-quality childcare and early education.
Personal Attributes:
- Passionate about early years education and child development.
- Commercially aware, organised, and able to balance strategy with daily operations.
- Confident leader with empathy, integrity, and resilience.
- Skilled communicator who builds strong relationships with families, staff, and external partners.
- Solution-focused and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Committed to ongoing personal and professional growth.
- Ambitious to develop and deliver early years education of the highest quality.
Contractual Matters:
- Salary; £32,000 - £36,000 per year (starting salary dependant on experience)
- 40 hours per week; daily shifts will vary and be on a rota between 7.15am and 6.15pm.
- Full year contract.
- Holiday leave; 21 days plus bank holidays, plus 4 additional days towards Christmas closure. The nursery is closed over the Christmas period, annual leave entitlement must be used to cover this period.
- Dedicated 3 training days to complete each year.
- The successful candidate is to take up the post mid May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
- The employer will be Little Phoenix Nursery.
Appointment Procedure:
The deadline for applications is 12 noon Tuesday 31st March 2026. Suitably qualified applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to interview at the main site in the following week after Easter. We reserve the right to interview and withdraw the job advert in line with fulfilling our requirements prior to the deadline.
All applicants must use the current application form provided on the website vacancy page. We cannot accept applications in any other format. A detailed covering letter highlighting the suitability for the post should also be submitted and addressed to Mrs Sarah Moon-Gatford, Nursery Manager for Little Phoenix Nursery.
All application packs should be sent to HR@Yarmschool.org.
This is the start of an exciting journey for Yarm School with the opening of the Little Phoenix Nursery, September 2026. It is a chance to help set up and build a nursery that sets the benchmark for quality childcare and early years education in a brand new state of the art facility. Beautiful indoor & outdoor spaces will support the well-being of both children and staff, with the roof terrace offering a unique space to play. Situated close to Yarm high street the Deputy Manager will help build strong relationships with the wider community. While within the nursery they will have the opportunity to guide, coach & mentor educators new to their role, and be central in establishing an outstanding quality of care for babies & children aged 0-3 years.
The Deputy Manager supports the Nursery Manager and plays a key leadership role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality childcare, education, and operational excellence. This position requires strong leadership, strategic oversight, and a commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Please review the full job description on our website vacancy page.
About You:
We are seeking a dedicated, forward-thinking and ambitious Deputy Nursery Manager who is committed to providing outstanding childcare and early years education. You will bring energy, vision, and strategic leadership to the role, ensuring the very best outcomes for children, families, and staff.
You will have excellent communication skills, enabling you to build strong relationships with children, parents, colleagues, and external partners. A problem-solver with the ability to lead change, you will inspire confidence and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Level 3 or above in Childcare/Early Years (e.g. NNEB, CACHE, BTEC National Diploma, NVQ Level 3, or equivalent).
- A minimum of 3 years experience in a senior leadership or management role within early years.
- Approved Paediatric First Aid qualification
- Previous experience as a Deputy Nursery Manager (or equivalent leadership role) is essential.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, develop, and motivate staff teams.
- Proven track record of driving improvements, raising standards, and managing change effectively.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding.
- A strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and commitment to delivering high-quality childcare and early education.
Personal Attributes:
- Passionate about early years education and child development.
- Commercially aware, organised, and able to balance strategy with daily operations.
- Confident leader with empathy, integrity, and resilience.
- Skilled communicator who builds strong relationships with families, staff, and external partners.
- Solution-focused and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Committed to ongoing personal and professional growth.
- Ambitious to develop and deliver early years education of the highest quality.
Contractual Matters:
- Salary; £32,000 - £36,000 per year (starting salary dependant on experience)
- 40 hours per week; daily shifts will vary and be on a rota between 7.15am and 6.15pm.
- Full year contract.
- Holiday leave; 21 days plus bank holidays, plus 4 additional days towards Christmas closure. The nursery is closed over the Christmas period, annual leave entitlement must be used to cover this period.
- Dedicated 3 training days to complete each year.
- The successful candidate is to take up the post mid May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
- The employer will be Little Phoenix Nursery.
Appointment Procedure:
The deadline for applications is 12 noon Tuesday 31st March 2026. Suitably qualified applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to interview at the main site in the following week after Easter. We reserve the right to interview and withdraw the job advert in line with fulfilling our requirements prior to the deadline.
All applicants must use the current application form provided on the website vacancy page. We cannot accept applications in any other format. A detailed covering letter highlighting the suitability for the post should also be submitted and addressed to Mrs Sarah Moon-Gatford, Nursery Manager for Little Phoenix Nursery.
All application packs should be sent to HR@Yarmschool.org.