Nursery – Bright Horizons Harwell Day Nursery
Salary – Starting from £32,988.80 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)
Location – Didcot, OX11 0QQ
Contract – Fixed Term contract from June 2025 for 9-12 months
Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”
We’re looking for a Deputy Manager to join our Harwell Nursery. This cosy 94 place setting based on Harwell Campus in Didcot cares for children 3 months to 5 years old across 3 rooms and benefits from sensory corners, reading areas, imagination play stations and more. The Ofsted rated 'Good' nursery also includes a large open garden that the children can use on a free flow basis with lots of areas to explore.
Our Benefits
1. Childcare discount of 75% for first child*
2. Enhanced parental leave
3. 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
4. Pension
5. Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
6. Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach
7. *Subject to T&Cs
The Role
As a Deputy Manager, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education. You will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, overseeing day to day running of the nursery and management of safeguarding and child protection policies. You will contribute to succession planning, training, and supporting team professional development plans, maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals (such as the Local Authority), and support the commercial success of the nursery through retention, occupancy growth, and maintaining budgets.
What we’re looking for
8. Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification
9. Experience within an Early Years leadership role (ideally as a Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, Third in Charge or similar)
10. Experience of participating with a regulatory inspection, leading to a ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ outcome
11. Confident decision maker, with previous experience providing support and leadership to others
12. Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children
13. Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carers
14. Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults
We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.
If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today!
We look forward to receiving your application!