Nursery Deputy Manager

Welcome to TFTF Tots

TFTF Tots is a small, welcoming workplace nursery providing high-quality early years education and care for the children of Think for the Future employees, with places also available for families within the local community. Caring for a maximum of nine children each day with an exceptional 1:3 staff-to-child ratio, we pride ourselves on creating a calm, nurturing, home-from-home environment where every child is known, valued and supported as an individual.  Our experienced and highly qualified practitioners build strong, meaningful relationships with children and families, planning learning experiences that reflect each child’s interests, strengths and stage of development. Our bespoke curriculum is rooted in the EYFS and is designed around the knowledge, skills and dispositions we intend children to develop during their time with us. Through carefully sequenced, inclusive learning intentions and adaptable developmental checkpoints, we support every child’s unique learning journey, ensuring all children, including those with SEND, can thrive. Providing inspiring, child-centred environment where curiosity is encouraged, independence is nurtured and every child is given the opportunity to flourish.

Role Overview

Contract Length: Permanent
Hours per week: 4 days (36 hours) per week (between Monday – Friday on a rota basis)
Hours of work: 7:45am-5:15pm
Holiday: 22.5 days per year
Start Date: November 2026
Salary: £26,500 – £28,000 per annum dependant on experience
Salary banding progression will be discussed at interview.
Location: Think for the Future Tots (Lenton, Nottingham)
Benefits: Think for the Future offer a number of employee perks (see later in Job Description)

Responsibilities

The Deputy Manager role is a room-based position where you will play a critical role in ensuring the smooth and effective daily operations of the nursery in addition to your nursery practitioner role.

You will support the Nursery Manager in maintaining high standards across all areas of the nursery, with a particular focus on welfare, staff development, and health & safety.

This role includes leading on all health and safety ensuring all protocols are met as a fire warden, and assisting as a designated safeguarding lead.

Your role includes stepping up to be the acting manager in the absence of the Nursery Manager. This role includes ensuring compliance with Ofsted inspection standards.

Main responsibilities

Absence and rota: Be the primary contact for staff absences in the absence of the Nursery Manager. Arranging and adjusting the staff rota to ensure adequate cover, maintaining compliance with required staff-to-child ratios at all times.

Liaising with external agencies to arrange temporary staff when needed. You will also conduct return-to-work meetings with staff following their absence, ensuring a smooth reintegration into the team and addressing any concerns.

Staff training & Development: Ensure all staff e-training is up-to-date and follow an annual training schedule to meet ongoing training needs.

Maintain records of all staff training and provide necessary support during training periods. 

Health & Safety: Conduct and regularly review risk assessments to maintain a safe environment for staff and children.

Serve as the nursery’s Fire Warden.

Take charge of the nursery’s health and safety protocols, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices.

Designated safeguarding lead: Full training as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding practices are upheld.

As DSL, you will be the primary contact for any safeguarding concerns raised by staff, children, or parents, and must always be available or easily contactable when the Nursery Manager is absent.

Liaise with external safeguarding authorities and agencies when required. 
Room-based responsibilities: Oversee the daily operations within the room, ensuring consistency in care and high standards of early years education.

Build strong, trusting relationships with children, their families, and the staff team.

Acting Manager Responsibilities

Leadership & Decision Making: When the Nursery Manager is absent, step into their role to ensure the nursery operates smoothly. Manage staff, handle urgent issues, and ensure continuity in care and education.

Maintaining Standards: Ensure that all statutory requirements are met, including staff-to-child ratios, health and safety standards, and safeguarding procedures, reporting these to the CEO.

Parental Communication: Handle any parent queries or concerns in the Manager’s absence, ensuring clear and consistent communication with families.

Team Supervision: Lead the team, addressing staffing issues, absence and ensuring all staff are supported.

Reporting:Keep the Nursery Manager updated on any significant events or decisions made during their absence and work with the CEO to report them to the correct authorities,
Availability: You may be required to provide extra support during important events like Ofsted visits or other inspections to ensure compliance with all standards.

Benefits of the Role

At Think for the Future Nursery, we are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding working environment. As a Room-based Deputy Manager, you will have access to the following benefits and perks:

Career Development Opportunities

• Level 5 Qualification: We offer the opportunity to pursue a Level 5 qualification in Childcare and Management. This will enhance your leadership skills and provide a clear path for career progression.
• Continuous Professional Development: Access a wide range of training opportunities, both internal and external, to help you grow your skills and advance in your career, including DSL training.

Ideal Candidate Profile 

Safeguarding

TFTF Tots is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a rigorous Safer Recruitment Policy which is followed for every appointment. Therefore, successful appointment to this role will be subject to:

• Declaration of any convictions, cautions or reprimands which you have incurred
• An Enhanced DBS Check
• Satisfactory References
• A secure Social Media Check
• Proof of Eligibility to work in the UK

Diversity & Inclusion

At TFTF Tots, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our mission.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Level 3 in Childcare (or equivalent).
• Minimum of 3 years childcare experience.
• Strong experience of understanding and maintaining policies and processes for childcare settings.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills; the ability to build positive relationships and rapport with children, families and TFTF Senior Leadership Team.
• Ability to manage change and to adapt to unexpected demands.
• Full commitment to the role, and dedication to providing the highest quality childcare setting.
• Ability to assess priorities and manage competing deadlines both independently and as a member of a team.
• An ability to demonstrate a dedicated and quality first approach to early years education.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Experience leading or managing within an early years setting.
• Experience being a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
• Experience of being a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Additional Perks of Working at TFTF Tots

On-Site Nursery: A huge employee perk that is offered is our on-site TFTF Tots Nursery which is subsidised as a salary sacrifice scheme, making for a very low-cost, high quality childcare option for TFTF office and Tots staff.

Comprehensive Induction Training: We provide a dynamic Induction Training for all new staff, during which we not only introduce you to your role and give you all the tricks and tools you’ll need to deliver it, but will also give you a wider insight into the organisation.

Continued Professional Development: Our training doesn’t just stop after your induction. You will have opportunity to develop your skillset, with access to a staff CPD budget as well as mentoring from other team members and external partner organisations.

Vitality Health Insurance: Access top-quality healthcare with Vitality Health Insurance, made affordable through a salary sacrifice scheme. Enjoy premium healthcare support at a lower cost, ensuring your well-being is covered without stretching your budget.

Wisdom EAP: We know that life can throw us curved balls sometimes and it’s hard to know where to turn. Our partners at Wisdom offer 24/7 confidential support from experienced therapists and advisors for just about any issue you can think of. From family issues, financial information and legal information to childcare support, consumer issues and bereavement counselling. If you have a problem, they’re there to help you solve it.

Positive & Supportive Team Culture: At Think for the Future, we pride ourselves on our positive and supportive team culture, with a team of Line Managers who support their teams at every turn as well as a dedicated Welfare Team who ensure a positive work experience for our team.