Deputy Nursery Manager

Little Years Nursery (LYN) employees are expected to value the core values of the company, Create, Learn & Grow. The aspects should be reflected in all aspects of their work.

Context and Purpose of the Role

Here at LYN we refer to our Nursery Managers as Head of Nursery and our Deputies as Deputy Head of Nursery. The role of the Deputy Head of Nursery is to work with the Head of Nursery to ensure the nursery provides inclusive and outstanding care and education for all children at LYN. Working with the Head of Nursery and fulfilling managerial responsibilities in the Head of Nursery’s absence as well as taking on additional day to day leadership responsibilities. The Deputy Head of Nursery will be an inspiring, compassionate, kind, and caring leader who seeks to motivate and lead educators.

The Head of Nursery is responsible for the daily running and administration of the Nursery whilst always adhering to the Company policies and procedures. The Deputy Head of Nursery acts in a role always supporting this. The role involves ensuring compliance with the Childcare Act 2006, all Health and Safety legislation, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and requirements as laid down by the Government and regulated by Ofsted and any internal framework or compliance procedures.

Responsible to:

The Deputy Head of Nursery is responsible to the Head of Nursery.

The Deputy Head of Nursery has Responsibility for:

General responsibilities:

Offer all children equal opportunities regarding their religious persuasion, racial origins, gender, disabilities, cultural or linguistic background; in particular, challenging situations where racism or discrimination is displayed. Support children’s wellbeing at all times.

Support the requirements of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities via specialist programs so that the Company’s admission policy may be as inclusive as possible. Identify an individual to be trained to support this.

Develop and maintain the nursery environment and equipment to ensure that it provides a clean, safe and high-quality learning environment that offers children a wide range of experiences and works in conjunction with the Company mission statement.

Ensure that appropriate records and administration systems, including the children’s families, staffing, registers, health and safety, sickness records etc., are maintained to ensure confidentiality of information.

Ensure that Health & Safety policies are fully implemented within the nursery with support from the Health and Safety Consultant. Ensure the required standards of cleanliness and hygiene are achieved, risk assessments are in place, the environments and equipment are appropriately maintained, and that best practice is communicated and promoted throughout the nursery.

Develop and maintain an ethos of reflective practice across the nursery and use information to develop and support development plans designed to address areas identified for development across the nursery and for individuals.

Develop and maintain an ethos of reflective practice across the nursery and use information to develop and support development plans designed to address areas identified for development across the nursery and for individuals.

Adhere to the guidance issued in the Company’s Operational Plan, Policies and Procedures, and Staff Handbook, and ensure this is implemented throughout the nursery (this may include duties relating to administration, early years practice, leadership of the team and personal behaviour and responsibilities).

Work with the management team to ensure the smooth running of the nursery.

Attend meetings and training as necessary to ensure own professional development and ensure the smooth running of the nursery.

Take necessary action to ensure the smooth running of the setting and the safety and well-being of children, parents, and colleagues.

Provide excellent care and education to all children and have responsibly for your key family. Work as a team to ensure all learning development is recorded and the children care needs are met and communicated to all.

Specific responsibility:

Oversee the learning and development programs, curriculum, and assessment within the nursery. Ensuring that the nursery provides high quality childcare and early years education and is compliant with Company policy, relevant legislation, and current requirements as laid down by the Government and regulated by Ofsted.

Support staff in the maintenance of appropriate planning, observation, and assessment procedures to ensure a consistent service and maintain, with practitioners, a recording system for individual children that can be shared with parents and other professionals and agencies enabling improvements to working methods and service.

Working in partnership with parents, ensuring regular communication and interaction with parents including, producing a monthly newsletter for all nursery parents, monitoring the settling in process of all new children, promoting, and enabling a parent’s close involvement in their child’s development.

Leading the nursery team in a way that is respectful of people’s individuality. The Deputy Head of Nursery will be guided by the nursery manager however we expect all members of the management team to be courageous and solution driven.

Leading on key priorities for the nurseries working with all members of the management team.

Ensuring that events, processes, and procedures are successfully completed within agreed deadlines.

Main Duties:

Action and monitor all child protection and health and safety issues to ensure that any remedial action is taken immediately, and advice is sort from the management team.

Liaise with outside agencies, including Children’s Services, health providers, local primary schools, advisory teachers, the local authority, and SEN/inclusion agencies.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this role description, the Deputy Head of Nursery may have access to confidential information relating to staff, children, and parents. They may also have access to information relating to the practice of the company organization. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

With guidance from the Head of Nursery conduct regular inductions with all newly appointed staff, including changes in position, and set action plans for improvement with members of the team who may be failing. Supervise and provide advice, guidance and training to students, trainees and others on work placements or work experience in order that they receive the appropriate support. Give guidance and establish relationships with colleges and schools as necessary in order that their activities are coordinated.

Support with all disciplinary and grievance matters within the nursery, seeking advice and support from the management team, and where necessary, from HR.

Effectively and efficiently handle parental complaints, whether childcare or business in nature, seeking advice from the nursery manager and managing director

*This list is not exhaustive, and all employees are expected to support any are of the business.

Required Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

At least two years in a position as a senior member of staff in a nursery / early year setting Level three qualification in early years Degree level training is desirable

Extensive knowledge of the EYFS and of high-quality early years practice including statutory requirements. Theorist and current research

Knowledge of and commitment to child protection, health and safety, equal opportunities, and SEN/Inclusion

Skills and Abilities

· An ability to lead with a compassionate and caring approach

· A team player with a flexible, considered, kind and resilient approach

· Approachable manner with a high level of interpersonal skills

· The ability to motivate and inspire others

· Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

· Delegation, time-management, effective time-management, an ability to problem-solve and an ability to ensure tasks are completed in a timely and effective manner

Physical Requirements

This position requires an ability to perform the following job requirements, with or without reasonable recommendations:

· Kneeling - Bending -Sitting on the floor -Pushing/Pulling - Jumping

· Running - Dancing - Sweeping - Singing

· Standing - Twisting at the waist - Raising arms above the head

· Rising from kneeling/sitting position - Lifting and carrying children up to the age of 5.

Safer recruitment statement.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in our care. All applicants, therefore, must be willing to undergo effective child protection and safeguarding screening, this will include

· references from previous employers and a DBS check and then registered with the Update service. We shall also seek compliance with sections 15-25 of the immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006

· (Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom of Great Britain).

· All staff must confirm they are not included on Children's barred list or PoVA or barred by the Independent

· Safeguarding Authority; or disqualified from working with children or live with someone who has been disqualified from working with children, or been refused registration or had it cancelled; subject to sanctions imposed by a regulatory body, e.g., the Teaching Agency or Health and Care professions council and Ofsted.

· All our posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings including those regarded as ‘spent’, must be declared.

· Declare any social care involvement with your own family.

Pay: From £29,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Referral programme

Work Location: In person