Pre-School Deputy Manager

Deputy Preschool Manager – Join Our Team! We’re looking for a caring, confident and motivated Deputy Manager to join our friendly preschool team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves early years, enjoys supporting others, and wants to help shape a nurturing, child\-centred environment.

You’ll work closely with the Manager to lead practice, support staff, champion safeguarding and help deliver an exciting EYFS curriculum. You’ll also step up to lead the setting when needed.

Hours: Typical hours 24 per week, term\-time only but we can be flexible for the right person Requirements: Level 3 qualification, strong EYFS knowledge, great communication skills Desirable: DSL, Paediatric First Aid, SENCO experience

If you’re passionate about giving children the best start in life, we’d love to hear from you.

Deputy Preschool Manager – Job Description

Purpose of the Role
To contribute to and support the management of the preschool, ensuring the highest standards of early education, safeguarding, and operational excellence in line with the EYFS, Ofsted requirements, and the preschool’s policies and values.

Key Responsibilities

1\. Leadership \& Management

• Support the manager in providing clear, confident leadership to staff, modelling best practice.


• Deputise for the manager, in their absence, to oversee day‑to‑day operations, ensuring smooth running of all sessions.


• Support the manager in identifying training needs for self and staff members to ensure Continual Professional Development and compliance with statutory requirements.


• Support the manager in fostering a positive, inclusive, child‑centred culture.

• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and DSL in the absence of the manager


• Support the manager to ensure all safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented consistently.


• In the absence of the manager, maintain accurate safeguarding records and liaise with external agencies (MASH, LADO, health visitors, etc.).


• Recognise staff members’ responsibilities under KCSIE, EYFS, Prevent Duty, and local safeguarding partnership procedures.

• Contribute to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of a high‑quality EYFS curriculum.


• Support the manager to ensure teaching is ambitious, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate.


• Monitor children’s progress and ensure effective key‑person practice for self and others.


• Act as Deputy SENCO, supporting the manager (and SENCO) as necessary


• Support the staff with the implementation of SEND strategies, behaviour guidance, and early intervention as advised by the manager.


• Support the manager in maintaining an engaging, safe, and stimulating learning environment.

• Build strong, professional relationships with parents and carers.


• In the manager’s absence, provide regular communication about children’s progress and wellbeing.


• Deputise the management of settling‑in processes, transitions to school, and family support.


• Represent the preschool positively within the local community, contributing to effective marketing of the setting.

• Support the manager to ensure compliance with the EYFS, Ofsted, health \& safety, GDPR, and charity governance requirements.


• Support the manager to maintain accurate records: attendance, accidents, medication, safeguarding, staff training, and children’s files.


• Support the manager to prepare for Ofsted inspections and lead the setting through the process.


• In the manager’s absence, oversee admissions, waiting lists, and funding claims.


• In the manager’s absence, oversee the amendment of policies to reflect the latest EYFS and other legislation and then review with the committee.

• Assist the manager with budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning.


• In the manager’s absence, manage staffing rotas and ensure ratios are always met.


• In the manager’s absence, oversee ordering of resources and equipment.


• Support the manager to ensure the environment is safe, clean, and well‑maintained.

• Level 3 Early Years qualification


• Strong knowledge of the EYFS requirements


• Excellent communication and organisational skills.


• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, staff, and the committee.


• Commitment to inclusive practice and continuous improvement.

• DSL training


• Paediatric First Aid


• SENCO training


• Experience in a committee‑run or charity‑run preschool


• Experience leading or supporting a team

• Reports to: The Manager


• Supports the manager to oversee other practitioners


• Hours: As agreed (typically 24 hours per week, term‑time)

Expected hours: No more than 24\.0 per week

Benefits:

• On\-site parking

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