Role Summary
First Steps Nursery provides care to children of NHS staff aged 3 months - 5 years.
It’s set on our Wonford site in a purpose built, spacious building and generous outdoor spaces
– a perfect setting for fun, play, and learning! Which is reflected in our Ofsted Outstanding
Provider rating and the happy children who attend from 3 months to 5 years old.
Our mission is to ensure that children’s wellbeing and development is central to all
that we do.
We promote learning in a fun, stimulating, language-rich environment, nurtured through play
and meaningful interactions; following children’s interests to motivate and inspire them to
become active learners.
We recognise the importance of the roles that our parents have in supporting the NHS, so it
is important to us that our parents can attend their place of work, knowing that their child’s
individual needs are met, and that they are being cared and supported to learn and develop
to meet their full potential, in a way that is unique to them.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
Are you an experienced Early Years professional ready to take the next step in your
leadership career?
Join our Ofsted Outstanding First Steps NHS Nursery team as a Deputy Nursery Manager!
We’d love to hear from passionate and dedicated practitioners who are committed to
supporting children to thrive while also inspiring and developing colleagues within a high-
quality early years environment. As Deputy Nursery Manager, you will play a key role in
leading the team, maintaining exceptional standards of care and education, and supporting
the day-to-day running of the nursery.
In return, we offer a rewarding career in our outstanding facilities, where you can make a real
difference to the children and families of NHS colleagues. Alongside a supportive team and
opportunities for professional development, you'll benefit from an excellent package of NHS
benefits.
As a Deputy Nursery Manager, you will use your leadership, organisational and
communication skills to support the effective day-to-day running of the nursery. You will play
a key role in ensuring high standards of care, education and safeguarding are consistently
maintained, while helping to create a positive and supportive environment for children, families
and colleagues.
Using your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and best practice, you will
support the development of the nursery team, promoting high-quality learning experiences
and a culture of continuous improvement. You will work collaboratively with colleagues to
ensure children receive the very best start, while supporting the implementation of nursery
policies, procedures and quality improvement initiatives.
The role is incredibly rewarding and provides the opportunity to make a positive impact across
all areas of the nursery. Alongside supporting children's learning and development, you will
help lead and motivate the team, build strong partnerships with parents and carers, and
contribute to the ongoing success and development of the service.
Key duties
• Support the day-to-day leadership and operation of the nursery.
• Help maintain a nurturing environment that delivers high standards of care, education
and wellbeing.
• Support the planning, implementation and evaluation of high-quality learning
opportunities and nursery provision.
• Monitor children's progress and ensure records are maintained accurately, supporting
effective communication with parents and carers.
• Mentor, support and develop staff, encouraging best practice and continuous
professional development.
• Lead by example and promote a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and regulatory standards are consistently
maintained.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and contribute to the ongoing development of
the nursery.
• Provide operational support across Childcare Services as required.
We would love to hear from experienced, organised and passionate Early Years professionals
who are looking to take the next step in their leadership career or who already have experience
in a supervisory or management role.
You are committed to providing high-quality early years education and care, with the ability to
support, motivate and develop colleagues to reach their full potential. You build positive
relationships with children, families and staff, and have a proactive approach to maintaining
high standards across the nursery. Professional development is important to you, both for
yourself and for those around you, and you are keen to contribute to the continued success of
a thriving nursery team.
Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to undertake an
enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Working for the Royal Devon provides you with a whole host of additional benefits including:
• a 37.5 hour working week for full-time staff
• hours condensed over four days, giving you more free time
• access to brilliant discounts on big-name brands and local companies, plus discounts
in our onsite cafés, restaurants and shop
• fantastic holiday allowance of 27 days (based on a standard five-day working week),
increasing with service, plus bank holidays
• salary sacrifice schemes to make your money work harder, including nursery fees,
Cycle to Work and more
• a free uniform
• Stagecoach discount for travel to work and free Park & Ride services
• social events and planned activities
• access to the generous NHS Pension Scheme
A healthy work-life balance is essential, and Devon is a great place to enjoy it. The working hours for this role are condensed over four days, providing consistency for children and families while giving you additional time away from work.
The nursery is based on our Wonford site in Exeter, with a range of convenient travel options.
We offer a free Park & Ride service, a Park & Walk service, regular bus services and secure bicycle storage.
Exeter is a vibrant city with plenty to offer, and our team enjoys making the most of this through regular social events and activities.
We care for up to 129 children a day in five rooms with access to our different outdoor play
spaces which include:
• a large Astroturf area
• a spacious woodland area
• an extensive full enclosed grass area
We’re open for our:
• Breakfast club 7.00am – 8.00am
• Core hours are 8.00am – 6.00pm
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. 08:00 - 18:00 across 4 days per week (Monday to
Friday).
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed, Interview will consist of a face to face interview and a 15 minute presentation -full details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
For further information please contact: Rachel Berriman, Nursery Manager on 01392 405858
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
