51 Best play leader Jobs in North Shields (April 2026)

EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR NEW SETTING! About Us ‘Building a Culture of Compassion, Confidence & Consistency’ At All Stars Nursery Newcastle we are passionate about creating a joyful, safe and enabling environment where children thrive through play, wonder and discovery. We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced Nursery Deputy Manager who brings warmth, leadership and a growth mindset to our team and the All Stars Community. This is a room based role with opportunities to cover office based in the managers absence. Your Core Purpose As Nursery Deputy Manager, you’ll be the manager’s right hand — helping to lead and grow the setting with energy, warmth and professional expertise. You’ll support day-to-day operations, help ensure top-tier care and learning across the setting and take on the lead role of manager in their absence. You’ll play a key role in quality improvement, team development, family engagement and regulatory compliance, working in line with the EYFS statutory framework. Key Responsibilities Leadership &Team Support • Support the setting manager in leading, mentoring and developing the team., • Act as a role model for high-quality early years practice., • Contribute to recruitment, induction, supervisions and continuous professional development., • Deputise for the manager in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership. Quality of Learning & Practice • Assist with planning, implementing and evaluating the EYFS and All Stars Curriculum so children thrive and progress., • Support staff to maintain strong assessment, observation and planning systems., • Promote reflective practice and ongoing quality improvement. Safeguarding & Operational Standards • Promote a culture of safeguarding where every child feels safe, valued and supported., • Create a strong safeguarding culture across the whole setting., • Support the Manager to ensure all safeguarding, health & safety policies and procedures are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed., • Support the Manager to lead risk assessments, emergency plans and reviews of practice., • Support compliance with safeguarding, health &safety and welfare requirements., • Help ensure smooth day-to-day operations and a safe, enabling environment for children, families and staff. Compliance & Improvement • Support policy review and development in line with regulatory updates., • Help maintain accurate records, support inspection readiness and uphold all relevant policies and procedures Family & Community Engagement • Build strong, collaborative relationships with families — sharing progress, listening, and tailoring support. Promoting a culture of transparency, honesty and confidence., • Act as an ambassador for the setting within the local community, partners and external agencies., • Work collaboratively with local authorities and other early years professionals. Essential Qualifications & Knowledge • Hold a DFE Full & Relevant qualification at Level 3 or above (or equivalent)., • Strong understanding of the EYFS statutory framework and child development., • Excellent communication, organisational and people-leadership skills., • Experience working in an early years setting with leadership responsibility (e.g., Room Leader, Senior Practitioner)., • Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, health & safety in early years practice., • Enhanced DBS Checklist with barred checklist and suitable to work with children., • Full and Relevant 12 Hour Paediatric First Aid Training or willingness to complete before being counted in ratio., • Good spoken & written English, • Food Safety Level 2 or willingness to complete before handling food Note: The EYFS does not specify an absolute mandatory qualification level for a deputy — but you must be “capable and qualified to take charge in the manager’s absence” in the provider’s judgment, and Level 3 is typical & highly recommended in practice. Desirable Skills & Experience • Level 4, 5 or 6 qualifications in Early Years, Leadership & Management or Early Childhood Studies, • Level 4 or above Maths’s qualifications (e.g., GCSEs or Functional Skills) — supporting broader leadership capability., • Experience supervising staff and students or supporting performance management., • Knowledge and/or specialism (e.g., SENDCO training), • Experience contributing to setting policies, self-evaluation and improvement planning. What Makes You Shine at All Stars? • A confident, compassionate and consistent leadership style, • A proactive approach to solving challenges and supporting colleagues, • Passion for inclusive practice and warm family-centred communication, • A love of learning — both for children and your team Why Join All Stars? At All Stars Nursery Newcastle, your leadership shapes real futures. You’ll be part of the All Stars community that values honesty, confidence, compassion and consistency. We celebrate progress and support you to be the best deputy manager you can be — with opportunities for development, qualification support and shared successes. The Nursery opening hours are Monday-Friday 7am-6pm. This is a full time role, which is 40 hour p/w Monday- Friday. All applications are subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, professional reference checks, Overseas Police Clearances (if applicable) in line with our stringent safeguarding policy. Your CV must cover the last 10 years of employment history where possible and all employment breaks must be explained. You must have legal right to work in the UK. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Benefits: Additional leave Canteen Childcare Company events Employee discount Free parking On-site parking Education: GCSE or equivalent (preferred) Experience: Nursery: 4 years (required) Childcare: 5 years (preferred) Management: 2 years (required) Work Location: In person

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