Qualified Deputy Manager

- The Lodge Day Nursery
- Address: Ivry Lodge, Ivry Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QW
- Salary: £30,617 – £32,801 per annum
- Hours: 40 hours per week
- Contract: Permanent
- Reference: 5753

We offer exceptional childcare provision for children aged 3 months to 5 years, in the centre of Ipswich. You will join a team of professional, qualified staff in a caring, supportive setting. The Lodge is easily accessible in the heart of Ipswich. Our attractive buildings offer bright, spacious rooms, a large garden and outdoor environment and we are situated close to Christchurch Park.

We work in partnership with families to ensure each child feels safe, secure and has plenty of opportunities to discover new adventures, learn, grow, and thrive. We have four age ranges: Discoverers, Explorers, Adventurers and Pre School. Children move onto the next stage at the appropriate time, when they are ready for the next stage in their development. Our specially designed rooms provide the perfect environment for each age range and children always have regular access to our spacious garden and outdoor areas. Our Pre School class has a full-time qualified teacher during term-time to lead on the EYFS curriculum learning outcomes.

You'll play an important role by:

- To deputise for the Nursery Manager in their absence or as and when required, taking responsibility for the effective day-to-day running of the nursery.
- To support the Manager in ensuring the nursery operates efficiently and complies with all registration, statutory and legislative requirements.
- To assist the Manager in ensuring the nursery meets and exceeds the standards and expectations of Ofsted, ISI and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- To promote and maintain consistently high standards of care, education and practice throughout the nursery.
- To support the Manager in implementing school policies and procedures, including the School's Equality Policy, ensuring that children, parents and staff are treated fairly, valued and respected, and that practice is inclusive and non-discriminatory.
- To act as the nursery's alternate Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), monitoring and responding to safeguarding concerns in accordance with local safeguarding partnership procedures and school policies.
- To support the Manager in identifying areas of practice that do not meet organisational or legislative requirements and provide appropriate guidance and support to staff to address these.
- To manage your own workload effectively, prioritising tasks and delegating responsibilities where appropriate.
- To contribute ideas and encourage new approaches to support the continued development of the nursery.
- To keep up to date with current childcare guidance, legislation and developments within the Early Years sector.
- To support the Manager in ensuring the nursery is appropriately resourced to deliver the EYFS and meet Health and Safety requirements.
- To assist the Manager with the recruitment and selection of new staff members.

Your annual entitlement is 33 days of paid time off (inclusive of bank holidays). The Lodge closes for a week during the Christmas period and for one week in August; mandatory leave for these closures will be deducted from your annual allowance. Specific closure dates will be communicated well in advance.

You will be entitled to join our defined contribution pension scheme for support staff (the employer contribution rate is an attractive 10% of your gross pay), and you will receive three times your salary as death in service life cover. You will also join Smart Health, a wellbeing scheme for staff offering 24/7 online GP and mental health support.

You will be able to use the School’s swimming pool and fitness gym free of charge and you will have a free freshly prepared lunch each day in School (when the school is in session). We also have (limited) free parking available for staff.

We have a review and development scheme for staff, to assist in your professional development, and we have a fantastic track record of supporting our nursery staff in training and development activities and gaining further qualifications.

Please note:

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help you? Please ensure your application reflects your own knowledge, skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, Ipswich School reserves the right not to progress your application. Please read our 'Use of AI Guidance' to understand what is, and what is not acceptable.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you are interested in this role please apply as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your application.

About us

For over 600 years, Ipswich School has inspired young people to discover their potential, develop their character and leave us ready to make a positive contribution to the world. None of this would be possible without our people. From teachers and teaching assistants to catering, estates, administration, finance, admissions and support staff, every colleague plays an important role in creating the exceptional experiences that define an Ipswich School education. We are proud of our welcoming community, ambitious culture and collaborative approach. Together, we strive for excellence, support one another and continually look for ways to improve. When you join Ipswich School, you're joining more than a workplace. You're becoming part of a community that values professionalism, kindness, ambition and opportunity.

For more information

Please read the Job Description (pdf) .

To find out more, please contact HR by calling 01473 408300.

How to apply

Please apply via our website which will link to our online application form

Closing date: 12pm, 23 November 2026

Interview date: 1 December 2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you are interested in this role, please apply as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your application.