Internal- Nursery Deputy Manager

Internal- Nursery Deputy Manager

Location: Bournemouth, Dorset, United Kingdom Dorset

Job type: Full Time Permanent

Salary: £31,824 to £33,696

Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we're more than just a childcare provider. We're the UK's largest employee-owned childcare group, which means our colleagues have a genuine voice in how we work and a share in our success.

We're looking for a Deputy Manager to support the running of Tops Muscliff in Bournemouth. If you're an experienced Deputy manager or looking to take your first steps into nursery management, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

A Nursery Deputy Manager plays a key role in supporting the Nursery Manager to oversee the daily operations of a nursery or childcare setting. They ensure that the nursery provides a safe, stimulating, and educational environment for children.

About the Nursery

Tops Muscliff Nursery is a 59-place day nursery and preschool in a quiet residential area close to local schools and green spaces. We provide Early Education and Care for children aged 3 months to preschool, with flexible hours (7:30-18:30, closed bank holidays). Our eco-friendly, open-plan nursery offers a warm, home-from-home environment where children are encouraged to explore, play, and learn at their own pace. A broad curriculum is enriched with Forest School, cooking school, yoga, Boogie Mites, meditation, and regular outdoor trips to local woodlands and parks. We support confident, independent learners through fun, hands-on experiences and a strong focus on wellbeing and healthy habits

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

We want our colleagues to feel valued and share in the success they help create. Benefits include:

• Annual company profit share and a Nursery Manager bonus scheme, subject to scheme terms and eligibility.
• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries.
• Your birthday off and an additional wellbeing day.
• Generous annual holiday allowance.
• Discounts and rewards through Blue Light Card and Each Person, including shopping, travel, gyms and cinema.
• Health and wellbeing support, including help with NHS prescriptions, optical care and dental treatment.
• Opportunities for learning, career development and progression.

We're also proud to have received the 2026 King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and to have been recognised as a World's Happiest Workplace 2025.

As an employee-owned organisation, you'll have the opportunity to contribute ideas, influence how we work and share in our collective success.

Find out more about our benefits on our careers website.

What does the role involve?

• Responsible for overseeing a unit and assisting specialists in the nursery, such as Behaviour management representatives, SENCo, H&S rep, Equal opportunities etc.
• Ensure that suitable opportunities, activities and resources are provided for all the children relevant to their age/stage and development needs to the requirements of external organisations.
• Communicate with parents to ensure that all fees are paid and that parents are satisfied with the provision of care provided. You will also know how to operate a fees system including invoicing, collecting money, banking and reporting on financial targets.
• Ensure that all staff are supported in their training and development and their job satisfaction. Ensure that all staff are mentored /coached appropriately.
• Support the Nursery Manager and to manage the setting in Managers absence
• To be committed to the safeguarding of all children in the nursery and your direct care

What are we looking for?

• A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role
• Strong knowledge of EYFS and Ofsted regulations
• Proven experience managing teams and working closely with parents

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at Tops Day Nurseries. As this role involves regulated activity with children, the successful candidate must hold, or be willing to obtain, an enhanced DBS check and register it with the DBS Update Service. If you do not already have a suitable check, you will be responsible for the associated cost.
• You'll also need to successfully complete our safer recruitment process, including satisfactory references and background checks, and meet the eligibility requirements for working in regulated activity with children.

Interested?

• If you're ready to lead a nursery, support a fantastic team and make a real difference to children and families, we'd love to hear from you.
• Come and grow with us at Tops Day Nurseries. Your voice matters, your ideas make a difference, and you share in our success.

Apply Now

Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries