Deputy Manager Review
at Kids Planet Day Nurseries
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Teaching
Bradford
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As a Deputy Manager i play a key leadership role, acting as the second-in-command to the Nursery Manager and helping ensure everything runs smoothly, safely, and in line with regulations. It’s a mix of hands-on childcare, team leadership, and operational oversight.
On a day-to-day basis, a big part of the role is supporting staff. This can mean supervising practitioners, offering guidance on activities or behaviour management, stepping in to help in rooms when needed, and making sure ratios are maintained at all times. I am often the go-to person when the manager isn’t available, so confidence in decision-making is important.
Safeguarding and child wellbeing sits at the heart of my role. As a deputy manager helps ensure all policies are followed, keeps an eye on children’s safety, and deals with any concerns appropriately. This also includes supporting staff with observations, assessments, and planning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), making sure each child’s development is being tracked and supported.
There’s also a strong administrative side. This can include helping with staff rotas, managing attendance, supporting recruitment or inductions, maintaining records, and preparing for inspections. I also communicate regularly with parents—giving updates, handling queries, or discussing children’s progress.
Another important aspect is maintaining the nursery environment. This includes ensuring rooms are well-organised, resources are appropriate and engaging, and spaces like outdoor areas or wellbeing gardens are safe and stimulating for children.
In essence, the role balances leadership with hands-on practice. One moment you might be supporting a team member with planning, and the next you’re reading a story to a group of children or resolving a staffing issue. It’s varied, people-focused, and requires strong organisation, communication, and a genuine passion for early years care and education.
On a day-to-day basis, a big part of the role is supporting staff. This can mean supervising practitioners, offering guidance on activities or behaviour management, stepping in to help in rooms when needed, and making sure ratios are maintained at all times. I am often the go-to person when the manager isn’t available, so confidence in decision-making is important.
Safeguarding and child wellbeing sits at the heart of my role. As a deputy manager helps ensure all policies are followed, keeps an eye on children’s safety, and deals with any concerns appropriately. This also includes supporting staff with observations, assessments, and planning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), making sure each child’s development is being tracked and supported.
There’s also a strong administrative side. This can include helping with staff rotas, managing attendance, supporting recruitment or inductions, maintaining records, and preparing for inspections. I also communicate regularly with parents—giving updates, handling queries, or discussing children’s progress.
Another important aspect is maintaining the nursery environment. This includes ensuring rooms are well-organised, resources are appropriate and engaging, and spaces like outdoor areas or wellbeing gardens are safe and stimulating for children.
In essence, the role balances leadership with hands-on practice. One moment you might be supporting a team member with planning, and the next you’re reading a story to a group of children or resolving a staffing issue. It’s varied, people-focused, and requires strong organisation, communication, and a genuine passion for early years care and education.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoy my programme and find it highly rewarding. Working in a role I genuinely love makes a significant difference to my day-to-day experience, and I feel motivated and engaged in what I do. The support provided, including the 80% discount on childcare fees, is incredibly valuable and helps create a positive work-life balance.
In addition, the extensive benefits offered further enhance my overall satisfaction, making me feel appreciated and supported as an employee. Altogether, these factors contribute to a very positive experience, and I would say I enjoy my programme to a great extent.
In addition, the extensive benefits offered further enhance my overall satisfaction, making me feel appreciated and supported as an employee. Altogether, these factors contribute to a very positive experience, and I would say I enjoy my programme to a great extent.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed a range of skills throughout my Level 5 childcare course. I’ve deepened my understanding of child development theories and improved my ability to plan and deliver effective learning activities. I’m also better at observing and assessing children’s progress. In addition, I’ve gained more expertise in safeguarding, communicating with families, and managing challenging behaviors. Importantly, I have developed my managerial skills through my role as a deputy manager, which has helped me take on more responsibility and enhance my leadership abilities within the early years setting.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Kids Planet Day Nurseries to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend Kids Planet to a friend as I believe it is a great company to be in. And there are lots of career paths to explore, and training to aid development. I started as an apprentice at 16, and now at 23 I am a deputy manager undergoing my level 5
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Kids Planet Day Nurseries?
Do research around safeguarding before having an interview, as the interviews are very much tailored around this. Be confident and enthusiastic
