We are currently looking for a DEPUTY MANAGER to help run our beautiful, children’s day nursery and pre-school in Watford. We are looking or someone with great leadership skills, who’s committed to early years childcare, with experience managing a team within a nursery, preschool or childcare environment. What we offer: We value our dedicated and hard working staff and offer ongoing support and training, great opportunities, as well as above market rates of pay, holiday allowances and a range of other benefits! We realise the importance of having a good work life balance and offer a 4 day working week with compressed hours with 1 set day off. Alternatively 5 day working week is also an option. Main duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Manager: You will be supporting the daily running within the nursery, supporting the room leaders with training, paperwork. You will be part room part office based. * To assist the nursery managers in the day to day running of the setting. * To support the nursery staff and to ensure that they comply at all times with all policies, procedures and standards, including health and safety, hygiene, inclusion and confidentiality. * To lead the planning of safe, creative and appropriate opportunities according to children’s needs and interests to fulfil the requirements of the EYFS. * To develop and maintain good relationships and communication with parents/carers to facilitate meeting the needs of each child, including organising meetings to update and involve parent/carers in their child’s learning. * To help supervise and contribute to performance management of staff according to policies and procedure’s. * Working creatively with children within the EY framework, in order to provide an enabling learning environment for all children. * Ensuring all children have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop. The ideal candidate will: * Must have proven experience of managing within a childcare setting, (1years) of deputy experience or Third in charge is ideal. * Must hold a relevant Early Years qualification equivalent to Level 3 or above. * Experience of working with the Early Years Foundation Stages. * Understanding and recognition of the principles of equality and diversity. * Proven and successful experience of working with children of relevant age in an early learning environment. * Ability to lead the effective planning of learning. * Ability to set, demonstrate and promote good practice in line with the ethos of the Nursery * Experience of having kept written records of children’s achievements including observations. * Excellent communications skills. If you feel like you meet the criteria above, and would like to be considered, then we very much look forward to receiving your application