Nursery Deputy Manager - 1 year Maternity Cover

Salary: Grade 5 - £30,197-35,665) per year
Contract type: Fixed term – 1 year
Location: Balliol College Day Nursery
Department: Nursery
Reports to: Nursery Manager
Responsible for: Nursery Practitioner
Hours: 38.75 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:15pm
Holiday: 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, during a complete holiday year, the majority of which are taken during the Christmas, Easter and August Nursery closure periods. The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.
Probation period: 6 months
Notice period:1 month on either side (during probation)/ 3 months on either side (after probation)

Balliol College

Situated in an historic site in central Oxford, Balliol has been a hub of learning and community since its foundation in 1263. As one of the larger colleges within the University of Oxford, it is home to roughly 860 students, with undergraduates making up just under half of the student body. The College also employs over 80 Fellows, 50 lecturers, and about 180 support staff, with Dame Helen Ghosh as its current Master. While academic excellence is at the core of Balliol’s mission, visitors are often struck by the College’s informal and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond its walls, Balliol has an active and engaged global community of over 8,000 alumni and donors. 

Further information about the College is available at www.balliol.ox.ac.uk.  

Purpose of the Post

Balliol Day Nursery is a small University College nursery, based on Rawlinson Road, North Oxford. We are looking for a passionate, inspiring Deputy Manager to help deliver outstanding care and education to 16 mixed-aged children.

The Nursery is warm, friendly and family orientated nursery. We have a small, dedicated team and are looking for someone to join us, who will enjoy the challenge of providing excellent care to children aged 6 months to 4 years.

This is an excellent opportunity if you hold a full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification and for someone who is keen to develop their managerial experience.

Job duties and responsibilities

Leadership and management

• Understand the leadership tasks and responsibilities needed for a busy nursery with the ability to delegate where necessary.
• Assist the manager in ensuring all Ofsted legislation, special needs, safeguarding and health and safety is complied with and that all setting policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Deal with any complaints or issues as they arise in a sensitive and professional manner and in accordance with the nursery’s policies and Ofsted requirements.
• Develop effective relationships with colleagues, parents and outside agencies.
• Work with outside professionals, attending and contributing to family meetings and/or child development appointments (sometimes away from the setting) where appropriate.
• Attend and contribute to work-related training, staff meetings and committee meetings.

Childcare and development

• Must have a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage: planning for, recording, and assessing all aspects of a child’s learning for children 3 months to four years.
• Able to assess and reflect on children’s learning and development, by tracking children’s progress across all areas of the curriculum. 
• Be a key person to a group of mixed aged children.
• Plan and provide stimulating and play experiences to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive capabilities in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Keep up-to-date records of children’s progress and learning, using the nursery’s online learning journal, Tapestry. Share this journal with parents and encourage them to contribute.
• Promote good relationships with parents and carers, keeping them well informed about their children’s activities and progress. Support them where necessary with ideas to further develop the children’s learning and development at home.
• Have due regard to matters of confidentiality. Ensure that we fulfil our legal obligation to keep safe any personal or sensitive information which we hold about children and their families, in accordance with the nursery’s privacy notice and policies.
• Create an attractive, stimulating environment for the children with play areas, displays and activities to inspire and engage them at all levels.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment. Carry out all cleaning and tidying routines and domestic chores as required.
• Provide for the children’s personal needs, with toileting and nappy changing, mealtimes and sleeping.
• Deal with minor injuries and provide initial first aid when needed.

Safeguarding and approach

• Work as part of a small team providing and maintaining a happy, safe and enabling environment for all children, whilst adhering to Nursery policies and procedures.
• A sound knowledge of child protection procedures, and a commitment to safeguarding children.
• Make sure child protection and safeguarding is always promoted. Report all concerns in accordance with the nurseries Safeguarding and Whistle blowing policies and procedures.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to challenge or report any discriminatory behaviour.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Person Specification – skills and experience

Essential 
NVQ Level 3 or above early years qualification
OSCB generalist safeguarding training 
An experienced nursery practitioner within a Preschool/Nursery setting 
Previous management/leadership experience and the ability to inspire others
Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities
Able to demonstrate a love of working with young children and an ability to fully engage with them and motivate them on all levels
Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – with competent IT skills
Ability to write reports and keep clear and accurate records
A willingness to learn and develop
Excellent organisational skills
Calm and caring approach
Able to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload
Reliable, enthusiastic and flexible
Committed to quality with a high level of motivation and enthusiasm
Fit and able to fully engage in all nursery activities and duties as necessary
An understanding of and commitment to the role of the key person and child development.
An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities.

Desirable

Level 2 Food safety
Paediatric first aid
SENCO

Employee Benefits

Staff meals: A free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open.

Pension Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS) This is a contributory pension scheme, with contributions from both the employee and the College. Further details are available here.

Travel - Interest-free ticket loans enabling the purchase of bus passes and annual rail season tickets to Oxford. Discounted travel is available on some services.

Cycle to work scheme offering discounted rates on bicycles and accessories

Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice - eligibility criteria apply).

Healthcare Free flu jabs and eye tests

Free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool

Preferential rates for other University sports facilities and the Nuffield Health gym on Woodstock Road.

University Club Free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.

Learning and personal development In addition to training organised by the College, resources are available from the University.

Visitor access: Free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University, the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.

Employee discounts: Available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.

Balliol nursery: A day-time nursery on Rawlinson Road, subject to availability. Subsidised rates are available for Balliol staff.

Application procedure

Informal enquiries Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should in the first instance contact the Nursery Manager, Hannah O’Brien hannah.obrien@balliol.ox.ac.uk

Written applications: Applications should be made online at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers. This vacancy will close when sufficient applications have been received. Early applications are encouraged.

Interviews: Shortlisting will take place when sufficient applications have been received.

Safeguarding: This role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including enhanced disclosure and barring system checks, overseas checks where necessary and two reference checks.

Right to Work: Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

Equal Opportunities: Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants should let us know if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.

Data Protection: Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy