Deputy Manager
Lead yourself and your team while building the skills to support a whole nursery.
Indicative programme: 12 monthsA place to grow,
together.
Exceptional early years care begins with people who feel valued, supported and inspired.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE
A culture built around care
We believe practitioners do their best work when they have time for children, a supportive team around them and a clear path to develop their careers.
CAREERS AT BO PEEP · LEADERSHIP ACADEMYMost nurseries say they value development.
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Most nurseries say they value development.
We built an academy.
The Bo Peep Leadership Academy provides four structured leadership pathways, each built around 40 competencies across six pillars. Your progress is demonstrated through learning, practical experience and evidence — not simply time served.
4 leadership pathways40 competencies per pathway6 shared pillars
A visible pathway to leadership
Nursery Manager
Lead a setting, its people, educational quality, families and performance.
Indicative programme: 12–18 monthsSenior Leader
Support multiple settings and develop the managers who lead them.
Indicative programme: 18–24 monthsExecutive Leader
Shape organisational direction, governance and the future of Bo Peep.
Indicative programme: 24–36 monthsYour ambition can grow here. Our pathways are designed to help you build a career within Bo Peep.
Practitioners aspiring to leadership receive structured development and guidance towards management. Academy pathway durations are indicative, not guaranteed promotion timelines. Progression depends on demonstrated competence, readiness and available opportunities.
Not just training. Learning you put into practice.
Learn
Trainer-led sessions, coaching and supervision — not simply online modules.
Apply
Complete a meaningful workplace challenge in your own nursery setting.
Prove
Show evidence from real practice, assessed and signed off competency by competency.
Assessment stages: Developing · Competent · Bo Peep Standard
THE ACADEMY FRAMEWORK01 02 03 04 05 06
Six pillars. Every pathway.
Each pathway develops the same six areas of leadership at an appropriate level of responsibility.
Leading Yourself
Professional standards, communication, judgement, composure and resilience.
Leading People
Building teams, coaching, supervision, recruitment and difficult conversations.
Safe & Compliant Operations
Daily operations, deployment and ratios, health and safety, safeguarding.
Quality & Practice
Culture, quality assurance, regulatory readiness, curriculum and children’s progress.
Families, Inclusion & Community
SEND, inclusion and equality, parent partnership, community and reputation.
Business, Strategy & the Future
Finance, occupancy, commercial awareness, strategy, change and crisis.
FROM YOUR FIRST DAY
A thoughtful start. A visible future.
Every new colleague receives a structured induction, a staff handbook, a policy pack and an introduction to the Bo Peep Leadership Academy.
For practitioners aspiring to leadership, our approach makes development expectations more transparent, with a route towards management grounded in demonstrated skills and practical evidence.
WHAT WE OFFER
More than a job.
Our approach to employment reflects our commitment to the people who care for children.
Time and support
Above-minimum staffing and centralised administration help teams focus on children.
Professional growth
Continuing professional development, paid INSET and a structured, evidence-led leadership academy.
Time away
More than 20 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with birthday leave after probation.
Family-friendly benefits
Enhanced family leave and up to 75% childcare discount after probation, subject to applicable terms.
Belonging
Company socials, supportive colleagues and opportunities for progression.
Make an impact
Join a team committed to thoughtful early years experiences and continuous improvement.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Grow with Bo Peep
We welcome interest from passionate early years professionals. To enquire about current opportunities or future roles, please contact the Recruitment Team at IMA.
Bo Peep is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Recruitment is undertaken in accordance with our safer recruitment policies and applicable statutory safeguarding requirements, including appropriate pre-employment suitability checks. These arrangements are subject to Ofsted inspection.
Interested in joining us?
Speak to the Recruitment Team at IMA about vacancies, applications and career opportunities at Bo Peep Nurseries.
Email the recruitment team ↗