Job Description

Deputy Nursery Manager - The Mulberry Bush, Bitterne Park, Southampton

Full-Time | 100-Place Nursery | Family-Run Setting

Are you a passionate early years professional ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?
The Mulberry Bush - a beautiful, bespoke, and modern nursery located in Bitterne Park, Southampton - is looking for a dedicated and dynamic Deputy Manager to support the daily operations of our thriving 100-place setting.

As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on providing not just exceptional care to children, but also an inspiring and supportive environment for our team. The Deputy Manager will play a vital role in upholding our values, ensuring outstanding practice across the setting, and helping drive excellence across all areas of our nurseries.

What We Offer:

Generous Benefits

- 6.6 weeks of annual leave, an extra paid day off on your birthday, plus additional leave and vouchers for no sickness within a rolling 6- and 12-month period.

Childcare Discounts

- Enjoy between

50% and 75%

off your childcare fees.

Wellbeing & Health Support

- Access free private counselling, mental health first aid support, and annual healthcare benefits, with the option to upgrade to private medical insurance.

Free Lunch

- Weekly, optional free lunch provided for all staff.

Employee Recognition

- Celebrate your achievements with monthly team awards, referral bonuses of up to 1,000, and well-resourced room budgets to support high-quality learning.

Professional Development

- Ongoing training and development opportunities to help you grow and progress within your childcare career.

A Supportive Team Environment

- Join a warm, collaborative workplace where your ideas are encouraged and your contribution truly matters.
About You:

We're seeking someone who is:

Passionate, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to delivering the highest standards of childcare An excellent communicator with strong leadership skills Confident in supporting, mentoring, and inspiring staff teams Self-motivated, well-organised, and able to manage day-to-day nursery operations effectively Keen to help drive continuous improvement and uphold a culture of excellence Knowledgeable about safeguarding, EYFS, and Ofsted requirements
Requirements:

A

minimum Level 3 qualification

in Early Years or equivalent At least

1 year of experience in a managerial or supervisory role

within a nursery setting A strong understanding of child development and the EYFS framework A positive, proactive approach to problem-solving and team support
At The Mulberry Bush, we believe in growing strong foundations - for children, families, and our team. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in a high-quality, family-run setting, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now

to join a nursery that truly values its people.

The Mulberry Bush is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are required to share this commitment. All applicants invited to interview will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK and complete a suitability declaration. Successful applicants will also be required to have an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

We can guarantee you that there is never a dull moment and no two days are ever the same! So what are you waiting for? Send us your CV now!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 33,238.40 per year

Benefits:

Childcare Company events Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Referral programme
Experience:

Childcare: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Level 3 certificate (required)
Work Location: In person