DEPUTY NURSERY MANAGER AND SENCO - JOIN OUR DEDICATED TEAM!

Wonderland Nursery is a vibrant and nurturing nursery, well established with strong links within the Community and recently “rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. We are committed to providing high-quality care and education for children aged 0-5 years. We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced, and dedicated individual to join our leadership team as our Deputy Nursery Manager and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).
As our Deputy Manager, you’ll be the right hand to our fantastic Nursery Manager, orchestrating the daily adventures and ensuring our little explorers are thriving. You’ll be a beacon of support for our team, helping them grow and develop their skills.
As our SENCO, you’ll be the champion for children with special educational needs, weaving a web of support that ensures every child feels valued, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.
From guiding messy play to overseeing staff meetings, every day is an adventure in the nursery. You’ll be a master of multitasking, a detective of development, and a leader who inspires with a smile and a sprinkle of magic!
We’re seeking a superstar with a Level 3 (or equivalent) childcare qualification and a spark of creativity that shines as brightly as our children’s smiles.
If you’re a natural leader with a warm heart and a playful spirit, who can navigate the wild world of toddlers with grace and a good sense of humour, we want you!

QUALIFICATIONS

For Deputy Manager:

• Minimum Level 3 Early Years Qualification (e.g., Early Years Educator, Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce) or equivalent is essential.
• A current Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete)
• A Food Hygiene Certificate may also be required. (or willingness to complete)

For SENCO:

• A Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualification is essential.
• Experience working with children with SEN children.
• Essential Qualifications:

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

· Level 3 or above in Childcare/Early Years Education
· Paediatric First Aid (12-hour) (or willingness to complete)
· Safeguarding Level 2 or higher (or willingness to complete)
· Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training (or willingness to complete)
· Food Hygiene Level 2 (or willingness to complete)
· Health & Safety training (or willingness to complete)

EXPERIENCE

For Deputy Manager:

• Proven experience in a childcare setting is essential, with at least two years’ experience working in a preschool/nursery setting, ideally in a senior practitioner or room leader role.
• Experience in staff supervision and leadership is expected, including areas like appraisals and performance management.
• Practical experience in implementing high-quality learning opportunities and developing educational programmes aligned with the EYFS framework.
• Experience in communicating effectively with parents/carers and building strong partnerships.

For SENCO:

• Experience of working with and supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is essential.
• Experience in developing and implementing SEN policies and practices, and coordinating support for children with SEND across the setting.
• Proven experience working collaboratively with parents, staff, and external agencies (e.g., Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists).
• Experience in assessing and monitoring children’s progress, adapting strategies, and maintaining accurate records related to SEND provision.
• Experience in leading and coordinating the graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review) within the setting.
• Experience in preparing and leading SEN training for staff and providing guidance on inclusive practices.

Please refer the Job description for details