Deputy Manager and SENCo
Deputy Manager and SENCo
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Job Description
- Address:Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre Wattisham Ipswich Suffolk IP7 7RE
- Salary:14 - 17.50 per hour (pro rata)
- Hours:32 37.5 hours per week term time only
- Contract: Permanent. Required from 3 September 2025
- Reference:0335
Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre are seeking a dedicated and passionate individual to join our team as a Deputy Manager and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo).This role is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of the nursery providing high-quality care and education and supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This position requires a strong background in education particularly in early childhood and special education as well as excellent communication and organisational skills.
Responsibilities
Deputy Manager Duties:
- work closely with the Nursery Manager to deliver quality care and education for all children
- assist the Nursery Manager in the overall administration and operation of the nursery
- make confident decisions in the managers absence and lead the nursery team professionally
- supervise and support staff providing guidance and training as necessary
- you must have a good working knowledge of the EYFS and other legislation surrounding childcare
- be a positive role model for staff and children engaging with the nurserys ethos
- coordinate the planning needs of the setting involving staff
- undertake staff supervisions appraisals and peer observations
- advise the nursery manager of any concerns preserving confidentiality
- maintaining the Health and Safety of the nursery and ensuring the environment is safe and stimulating.
SENCO Duties:
- be knowledgeable of SEND issues and practice with a passion for working with children with additional needs
- arrange EHCNA for children who need more support than an IEP/Support plan
- meet with parents of children with SEND to complete necessary paperwork for support plans and EHCPs
- ensure all practitioners in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEN and the settings approach to identifying and meeting SEND
- ensure parents are actively involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting
- liaise with professionals or agencies beyond the setting
- Implement SEN support and the graduated approach of: assess plan do review (learning and development plans and next steps) to meet the outcomes identified for the child.
Essential:
- childcare qualification level 3 or above
- experience of working with children aged birth to 5 years
- some experience of working with children with additional needs
- you must be approachable with the ability to listen willingness to learn confident to take the lead make decisions and be flexible
- commitment to equal opportunities the ability to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all children at nursery
- be committed to young children and their families be friendly and approachable when liaising with parents
- to work as part of a team to provide a nurturing enabling environment in which all individual children can play learn and develop
- previous experience of working with young children and those with additional needs
- building strong partnerships with parent and carers
- attend out of working hours activities e.g. monthly staff meetings training parents evenings fundraising events etc
- be prepared to help where needed including occasionally working in ratio assisting the children at mealtimes and domestic jobs e.g. washing cleaning sterilising etc.
Desirable:
- experience in management
- level 4 SENCo accreditation qualification (or willingness to undertake the course)
- experience of working as SENCo or one-to-one with child with SEND
- some understanding of the SEN code of practice
- 2 years supporting children with additional needs
- writing applications for EHCPs (Educational Health and Care Plan)
- writing learning and development plans/ next steps for individual children.
Additional Information
- organised with excellent planning and time management skills
- strong and demonstrate good people management skills
- ability to work as part of a team
- ability to prioritise and manage own workload
- committed to own personal development and CPD planning
- courteous manner towards parents professionals and colleagues
- creative and dynamic approach with the ability to think outside of the box when providing solutions
- driven highly motivated with a reputation of being held in high regard by your peers
- excellent interpersonal/ communication skills
- reliable
- the nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre in situated 15 minutes from Stowmarket 10 minutes from Needham Market and 20 minutes from Ipswich. Own transport is essential as public transport is very limited.
Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre is a purpose-built nursery which opened in January 2014. We have 3 rooms babies (3 months -2 years) toddlers (2-3 years) and Pre-school (3-5 years). We also provide holiday club for children up to the age of 5 years.
If you are passionate about making a difference in childrens lives and with the necessary skills to thrive in this role we encourage you to apply for the Deputy Manager position and join our team.
A full Enhanced DBS will be undertaken upon job offer and 2 job references will be required.
You will be required to sign up to the DBS update service.
Please read the Job Description (pdf)
For an informal discussion only please call Evie Bloomfield on .
Please complete the Application Form (pdf)and email it to
Required Experience:
Manager
Employment Type
Full-Time
