What is a Nursery Deputy Manager?

At All About Children, being a Nursery Deputy Manager is both a rewarding and fulfilling role for people that want to develop their career within childcare. Our Deputy Managers play a key role in the education of nursery children, so they’re a vital member of our nursery management team.

Deputy Manager with children

Read on to discover what a  Nursery Deputy Manager is, how to become one and how your role helps shape the lives of young children in their early years.

What does the role of a Nursery Deputy Manager involve?

A Nursery Deputy Manager provides professional support and guidance to the team, contributing to the overall management of a nursery. 

To ensure that nursery children receive the best possible care, the Nursery Deputy Manager will put the correct provisions and resources in place. This means ensuring that the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met, as well as assisting the Nursery Manager in their role. 

It’s also one of the best nursery roles to be in if you’re looking to progress your career and take on more responsibility. Our Deputy Managers are often required to step up and act as Nursery Manager, when either the Nursery Manager is absent or when needed.  

What are the main responsibilities of a Nursery Deputy Manager?

The main day-to-day responsibilities of a Deputy Manager include: 

  • Ensuring that the nursery is providing high-quality education and is compliant with government / Ofsted guidelines 
  • Supporting nursery management in maintaining quality care for both the educational and safety needs of children
  • Supporting children with additional learning needs to ensure that they’re included and supported
  • Delegating work to other nursery team members, and taking over the role of Nursery Manager when necessary
  • Communicating with parents and carers about the development of their children.

What qualifications do you need to become a Nursery Deputy Manager?

To become a Deputy Nursery Manager, you must hold, as a minimum, a Level 3 childcare qualification or equivalent. You must have previous experience of managing a room or team in a nursery and have a strong knowledge of the EYFS curriculum. 

At All About Children, we offer childcare apprenticeship schemes, including a Level 3 Pathway, which can help lead you to the next step of your career to become a Nursery Deputy Manager. 

To learn more about pursuing a career in nursery management with All About Children, contact us today to see what training and support we can offer you. Alternatively, if you are Level 3 qualified and ready for the next step, visit our vacancies page to see what Nursery Deputy Manager jobs we have are available. 

What are the skills needed to be a Nursery Deputy Manager?

As a leadership position, the role of Nursery Deputy Manager is a satisfying combination of management responsibility and hands-on care. For the right person, it can be a fantastic career development stepping stone, while still allowing you to enjoy all the things you love about working closely with children in the early years. Here are some of the  practical and personal skills that will help you excel as a Nursery Deputy Manager: 

  • Able to lead a team of nursery staff and represent the nursery to prospective and current parents 
  • Caring and supportive towards children 
  • Articulate and friendly 
  • Patient and punctual 
  • Organised and able to adapt to changing situations 
  • Maintaining composure under pressure
  • A good role model and readily available to all
  • Strong team player

Get in touch

If you are interested in taking the next step in your career, please view our available Nursery Deputy Manager job roles. Or, if you want to learn more about another career in childcare, take a look at our current vacancies or contact us today with your CV.

What Our Staff Say

My name is Carla and I’m the room leader in Preschool. I go to work knowing that my knowledge, experience and passion is appreciated, I have a fantastic management team who listen, support and encourage me to be the best I can be. Working with a great team to deliver the best care for every child in our room. I love my role and feel like I make a difference.

Carla – Room Leader

I have been working for the nursery for nearly 3 years as the manager. I have loved watching the staff and children develop. We get a lot of support from other nurseries and our senior management team. There is a variety of career progression not just for the staff but for the management team also.

Amy – Nursery Manager

Silchester Manor has given me a platform to not only work and learn but also make a difference in children’s development and growth. The nursery has a great team to coordinate and work with, which brings a great difference in morale. In all, a great setting to work with and be in!

Rusha Chatterjee – Bank Staff

Silchester Manor is a great nursery to work with. I used to come through Agency and recently I have permanently joined the team. All the staff members are very supportive and friendly. This nursery has given be a great place to work and learn about childcare. I am very pleased to be a part of this team.

Anila Mushtaq Bhatti – Bank Staff

I have been working at Silchester Manor Nursery as bank staff for nearly four years. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere and relationship with children and their parents. I have seen babies progressing to the preschool and have enjoyed this journey with them. It is a nice place to work and I especially enjoy the lovely garden.

Alison Wakefield – Bank Staff

I feel happy and motivated working at Silchester Manor. The Nursery environment is positive and cheerful. My co-workers are very helpful and understanding. I am provided with training and guidance from my seniors. Thankful to get opportunity to work at this nursery.

Palwinder Kaur – Lunch Cover

Silchester Manor is a great place to work. I have been here almost a year and have learnt so much. I enjoy coming into work every day and spending time with the children and staff. It has given me a passion to better myself in this area and hopefully start level 3 in childcare.

Sophie Baird – Lunch Cover

I find it hard to believe that I joined as an apprentice and now I’m a room leader.

Sydney – The Little People, Room Leader

I started off at college and quickly realized I wanted to explore more of the practical day to day side of childcare, so I opted for an apprenticeship. I started and have never looked back. I found the course very informative and it gave me exactly what I wanted which was to work with children.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice, now Practitioner

I am so glad I undertook the apprenticeship; it has really given me an opportunity to have hands on experiences, learn about every aspect of childcare and has given me a way to put my knowledge that I’m learning into practice. I have a wonderful support network at The Little People.

Elsa – The Little People, Apprentice

I love working here, the team are wonderful role models and I really enjoy my day to day duties.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice

I have been with Daybreak for almost 9 years, and I have learnt a great deal about the children’s development and I have been inspired so much from my current management team to work up to the position of Room Leader. Since All About Children have taken over, they have continued to support me with my progression and influenced me with their passion and enthusiasm.

Sarah Brend – Senior/Room Leader

I recently completed my level 2 in Childcare and I always wanted to train for my level 3. All About Children provided me with the opportunity to complete this training within the support of my team at Amersham Chiltern Avenue as well as support from my Area Maut Children.

Katie Cyster – Trainee Level 3

I knew I wanted to work in childcare and heard about apprenticeships, I wasn’t sure where to apply so put out a post on Facebook which Emma the Deputy responded to, she asked me to send in my CV which I did. Emma and the Manager interviewed me and gave me the opportunity to work as a temporary staff member to see if this was something I wanted to do. From the moment I started I knew this was a career I wanted to pursue. Since starting my apprenticeship here at Park Road I have grown in confidence and developed my knowledge through experience, guidance and support from all the team.

Connor – Apprentice Park Road

I was working at an After School Club and wanted to further my career so I applied at Park Road and was given the opportunity to gain a qualification in childcare whilst working as a Nursery Assistant. During this time I have developed my skills, I have learnt how to be a key carer, carry out observations, plan to meet the children's next steps and develop my knowledge of the EYFS and the Curiosity Approach. This isn't just a job I feel valued and part of a team.

Katie – Apprentice Park Road