The World Outside Kindergarten

DEPUTY NURSERY MANAGER – OUTDOOR KINDERGARTEN

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Location: Kidderminster
Reports to: Director / Owner

Salary: £28,000 – £30,000 (depending on experience, leadership and impact)

Full Time | 40 Hours Per Week

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ABOUT US

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We’re not a traditional nursery.

The World Outside is a specialist outdoor kindergarten set within secure woodland on a secondary school site in Kidderminster. We are rated Good by Ofsted and work with families who actively choose independence, resilience and a childhood rooted in real experiences.

• We don’t spend our days indoors.

• We don’t rely on plastic provision.

• We don’t follow rigid timetables.

• We climb trees.

• We light fires.

• We build dens.

• We follow children’s curiosity.

• We believe all children belong outdoors — including those who may find traditional settings difficult.

• We take safeguarding, child development and professional standards seriously.

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And we run a business that has to work.

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THIS IS A LEADERSHIP ROLE

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This is not just a Level 3 role.

You will be a key part of the leadership team, supporting the running of the setting and stepping up to lead when required.

You will support the Manager (and owner) in maintaining high standards across the setting — from safeguarding and curriculum to staff performance and day-to-day organisation.

There is a lot happening behind the scenes — staffing, ratios, compliance, parent communication — and you will be expected to take ownership of your part in making it all work.

At the same time, this is not a desk role.

You will be in the woodland, supporting your team, leading practice and making sure standards are being lived — not just written down.

You need to be comfortable doing both.

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WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE DIFFERENT

 

• A setting with a clear ethos — not a generic nursery

• Daily outdoor provision in a secure woodland site

• A team that works hard and supports each other

• Families who actively choose this approach

• Real responsibility — not just a title

• The opportunity to grow into a senior leadership role

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A setting that genuinely includes children with additional needs — not just on paper, but in real, everyday practice

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WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Supporting the daily operation of the setting in line with EYFS and Ofsted

• Supporting and guiding the team to maintain high standards

• Acting as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

• Stepping into a leadership role in the absence of the Manager

• Supporting safeguarding, compliance and safer recruitment processes

• Supporting observations, assessment and curriculum delivery

• Supporting children with additional needs, working alongside the SENCO to identify, plan for and meet individual needs

• Contributing to support plans and helping ensure strategies are consistently followed in practice

• Building strong, professional relationships with families, including those of children with additional needs

• Supporting enquiries and occupancy

• Understanding staffing, ratios and how they impact the day-to-day running of the setting

• Leading by example in the woodland — not from the sidelines

• Spotting issues early and taking action

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THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You will hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification (minimum)

• You will have experience as a Room Leader, Deputy or similar role

• You will have a strong understanding of safeguarding, EYFS and Ofsted expectations

• You will have an understanding of SEND and inclusive practice

• You will be confident supporting children with a range of needs within an outdoor environment

• You will be patient, adaptable and able to respond to children as individuals

• You will be confident stepping up and taking responsibility when needed

• You will be organised, proactive and solutions-focused

• You will be physically able to work outdoors in all seasons

• You will be calm under pressure and able to support a team

• You will be honest, reliable and consistent in your approach

• You will understand that a nursery must be sustainable, not just full

• You will care about doing things properly — not just getting through the day

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If you bring additional strengths in SEND, forest school or behaviour support — we want to hear about them.

Passion for outdoor childhood is essential.

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WHAT A TYPICAL DAY LOOKS LIKE

• Morning woodland checks and supporting site risk assessment

• Team check-in — staffing, ratios and priorities

• Supporting the team in the woodland and modelling good practice

• Welcoming families and supporting the flow of the day

• Responding to the unexpected — because every day is different

• Balancing time between children, team and operational responsibilities

• Supporting communication with parents and handling day-to-day queries

• Working closely with the Manager and owner to keep the setting running smoothly

• Observing standards, supporting staff and addressing issues early

• Fire circle, outdoor learning and real experiences

• End-of-day reflection and preparation for tomorrow

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You will go home tired
You will go home muddy
You will go home knowing you made a difference

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SALARY AND HOURS

Full-time position – 40 hours per week

Salary: £26,000 – £30,000 depending on experience, leadership and contribution

This reflects the responsibility of the role and its importance within the team

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WORKING WITH THE OWNER

• You will be working with the owner, who is hands-on, honest and expects high standards.

• You will be trusted to do your job and supported when needed.

• Ideas are welcomed — but so is accountability.

• You will not be expected to work outside of your contracted hours.

• We believe in working hard, but keeping things sustainable.

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NEXT STEPS

Think this might be the role you’ve been looking for?

Complete our short online pre-application questionnaire.

It won’t take long, but it will tell us far more than a CV ever could.

If shortlisted, you will complete our formal safer recruitment application form.

If everything aligns, we’ll invite you into the woodland to meet the team — because choosing the right person works both ways.