Nursery Deputy Manager

Deputy Nursery Manager
- Job Share

Job description and person specification

Job share Three days (30 hours) per week for each postholder

At Little Orchard, we want every child to feel safe, valued and inspired to explore. Our Deputy Nursery Managers help create a welcoming Montessori environment where children develop independence, families feel listened to, and staff have the confidence and support to do their best work.

The purpose of your role

Working alongside the Nursery Manager and your job-share partner, you will support the daily running of the nursery and lead high-quality care and learning for children aged birth to five. You will be a visible, approachable leader, model the Little Orchard way and deputise for the Manager when required. You may also lead a room or an agreed area of nursery practice.

• Inspire — encourage curiosity, model thoughtful practice and help children and colleagues enjoy learning.
• Empower — support children’s independence and help staff build skills, confidence and ownership of their work.
• Respect — listen carefully, value individual differences and treat children, families and colleagues with kindness and dignity.

Both postholders hold the same deputy role and share responsibility for continuity and consistent standards. The Manager will agree on each person’s focus areas and working days. Both deputies work on the Manager’s day off and jointly provide management cover. An agreed lead deputy will coordinate the day and be the first point of contact for staff, with clear responsibilities for both postholders.

The deputy on duty takes responsibility for their decisions and follows through on agreed actions.

• Keep a clear, confidential handover covering children’s needs, staffing, family communication, incidents and outstanding actions. Escalate urgent concerns immediately rather than waiting for a handover.
• Use agreed shared records so that tasks have a named lead, a clear deadline and a recorded outcome. Agree significant changes with the Manager and keep each other informed.
• On the shared working day, prioritise nursery leadership and management cover. Plan handover and joint review time around children’s needs and staffing and maintain consistent expectations and messages for staff and families.

• Create a calm, nurturing environment where children feel secure, build positive relationships and are supported to develop at their own pace.
• Model Montessori practice through purposeful resources, a thoughtfully prepared environment, careful observation and opportunities for children to make choices and become independent.
• Support the team to plan meaningful learning experiences in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, taking account of children’s interests, development and individual needs.
• Oversee observation, assessment and planning within your room or agreed area. Help staff recognise progress, identify concerns and put appropriate support in place.
• Support responsive routines for meals, rest, personal care and transitions, respecting each child’s needs and dignity.
• Work with the SENCO, families and outside professionals to support children with special educational needs and disabilities and remove barriers to participation.

• Put children’s safety and wellbeing at the centre of your decisions. Recognise, record and report concerns promptly through Little Orchard’s safeguarding procedures.
• Help staff understand safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and how to raise concerns. Promote a culture where people feel able to speak up.
• Follow the nursery’s procedures for supervision, attendance checks,…