Deputy Nursery Manager

Roles & Responsibilities

Position Overview

• Supporting in the managing, leading and role modelling the team to ensure a high standard in all areas of learning & developmental care, in line with Statutory Framework (Early Years Foundation Stage) for all children in the nursery, in particular in the absence of the Manager.
• To provide support to other practitioners throughout the nursery as and when required.
• To work as part of a team in order to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can access continuous provision, play, learn and develop.
• To assist the Nursery Manager in all their day to day responsibilities as and when required to do so.
• To undertake the role and responsibilities of the Nursery Manager in their absence.

Qualifications & Educational Requirements

Be appropriately qualified i.e. Diploma in Nursery Nursing, NNEB or NVQ Level 3

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• To comply with all LAG policies & procedures.
• To promote the aims and objectives of the nursery in accordance with the setting’s SEF.
• To ensure that the programme of activities are meeting the individual needs & interests of children in your area in conjunction with other team members.
• Where appropriate fulfill  the observation, planning & assessment cycle which includes:-
• To keep up to date records of your key children’s development within their Learning Journeys & share this with parents, carers & other agencies or settings where appropriate.
• Ensuring each key person’s planning & care is tailored to meet their individual needs.
• To monitor & support the aims for children’s personalised plan.
• To monitor & support the implementation of adult led activities.
• To offer equality of opportunity for all.
• To ensure that all children are being stimulated & that appropriate play activities are being delivered in respect of their age and ability. Consideration must be given to the individual needs of the child with regards to their race, religion, social, gender, & culture differences.
• To give children the choice & the freedom to spend their leisure time their own way.
• To listen to children about any concerns or worries they may have, acting as an advocate or mediator when appropriate.
• Ensure & maintain a safe, secure & friend environment for the children in accordance with the current EYFS, Ofsted, H&S & Food Hygiene regulations & guidelines.
• To ensure that children are being well supervised at all times.
• To be aware & alert to situations of child neglect & possible abuse & act in accordance with the Safeguarding & Welfare requirements as stipulated in the EYFS.
• To encourage fair & caring behaviour, among the children & staff.
• To ensure that all staff members develop & maintain strong partnerships & communications with parents/carers to facilitate day-to-day caring & early learning needs of the children.
• To work in partnership with the parents, other family members, carers & their children by respecting & understanding their individual needs, & maintaining courtesy & confidentiality at all times.
• To liaise with other professional bodies such as Ofsted, when needed.
• Be aware of & work appropriately in relation to confidential and sensitive information, as well as ensuring that your colleagues are doing the same.
• To be a positive role model for all the children & staff at all times.
• To form strong attachments & nurturing relationships with the children in your care.
• To oversee that meal times are a time of pleasant social sharing & engagement, in particular, supervising the children at meal times, assisting them if needed & promoting / providing healthy choices for the children to consume & drink. The children’s food needs to be prepared & consumed in hygienic surroundings. Always remembering meal/snack times are social times & engaging with the child throughout this time is essential.
• To assist in & oversee the washing & toileting needs of the children & to teach the children to learn personal hygiene, maintaining the cleanliness of the children at all times & ensuring that all practitioners are competent.
• Complete the required regular checks to ensure that the nursery’s property is kept clean and tidy & that children are encouraged to respect their surroundings. Using the company documentation at all times.
• Ensure that regular checks are completed on resources & equipment which include the cleaning, maintenance & occasionally disposal of.
• To ensure that materials & equipment are always in stock to create play spaces.
• To develop your role as a senior practitioner within the team, to always lead by example & establish good working relationships throughout your room & the nursery.
• To ensure that handbooks are completed & maintained and handed in at the end of each day.
• To assist the Manager in administration & financial procedures, record keeping, fees, petty cash, ordering & purchasing in accordance with LAG procedures, including for example; maintaining daily registers, children’s registration records, emergency contact lists, & similar information – passing all relevant information to the Manager/HO personnel.
• To ensure that information on First Steps is maintained & altered when necessary, this includes children & staff records, invoices, registers, booking patterns & any other relevant information as & when requested by the Manager.
• Booking & supervising parental visits & guided tours around the nursery when necessary.
•  To oversee the day to day running of nursery in the absence of the Nursery Manager, this will include the daily administration duties for the Nursery.
• To liaise with the Manager with regards to the development of the Nursery & assist the manager with the nursery budgets & operating within its limits.
• To be responsible for the day to day running of your base room (or whichever room you are situated).
• To lead weekly planning meetings & co-ordinate the group learning map & adult led activities.
• To provide support and direction to childcare practitioners and any other designated team members e.g. students / volunteers & ensure staff compliance.
• To assist in the recruitment & induction of nursery staff.
• To ensure that you supervise all members of the nursery team when applicable in their day-to-day duties.
• To be enthusiastic, cheerful & have a sense of humour.
• To demonstrate patience, calmness & diplomacy.
• To be flexible within working practices of the nursery. Be prepared to help where needed, including taking on domestic duties within the nursery as & when required.
• To carry out additional duties which may be asked of you by LAGroup, including working at alternative sites from time to time,

Special Requirements

• Before confirming your appointment / employment, you will be required to obtain either the relevant DBS enhanced disclosure, this must be cleared.
• A minimum of two references must be obtained and checked; one must be your previous employer.