Deputy Room Leader/Third in charge

Full-time Third in Charge/Deputy Room Leader Banana Moon Day Nursery – Hamilton

Banana Moon Day Nursery in Hamilton is looking for an exceptional, enthusiastic, and motivational F ull-time Third in Charge/Deputy Room Leader to join our wonderful setting. This is a unique opportunity to help lead and shape a nurturing and stimulating environment where childhood is celebrated and learning flourishes through imaginative and engaging play.

We are seeking a full-time Third in Charge/Deputy Room Leader , qualified to Level 3 or above , with a strong passion for early years and proven leadership experience.

At Banana Moon, we focus on allowing children to be children , supporting learning through play, curiosity, and meaningful relationships. You will be working within a supportive, family-friendly nursery environment , alongside a committed and caring team, where children, parents, and staff are valued.

As part of the Banana Moon group, you will benefit from brand-led leadership training and continuous professional development , supported by our Head Office Quality and Improvement Team.

Job Purpose:

As Third in Charge, you will play a key leadership role within the nursery, working closely with the Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager, Area Manager and Director to ensure the smooth and effective day-to-day running of the setting.

In this role, you will act as Deputy Room Leader , providing daily support to the Room Leader to maintain high standards of care, education and practice within the room. You will help lead and motivate the team, support the planning and delivery of engaging learning experiences, and ensure that children receive the highest quality of care in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.

In the absence of the Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager, you will take on additional leadership responsibilities, providing support across the nursery and ensuring the setting continues to operate efficiently and in line with policies, procedures and regulatory requirements. When both the Manager and Deputy Manager are absent, you will assume full managerial responsibility, demonstrating confidence in decision-making and the ability to lead the team effectively.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about early years, has strong leadership skills and is ready to take the next step in their career. You will need to balance the needs of children, families and staff with the operational and financial responsibilities of the business, always maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and care.

You will:

• Support the operational management of the nursery, ensuring high-quality care and education.
• Maintain full adherence to Banana Moon policies, legislation, and curriculum.
• Ensure the nursery consistently meets the highest inspection standards.
• Create a safe, caring, and welcoming environment where children flourish.
• Build strong, positive relationships with families and deliver excellent customer care.
• Support the nursery’s reputation and occupancy through community engagement.
• Act as a named coordinator within your area of expertise, , as designated by the Nursery Manager.
• Benefit from Banana Moon brand management training and ongoing professional development supported by our Quality & Improvement team.

What Makes This Role Special?

Inspiring Ambition

You will guide, support, and mentor passionate early years practitioners, creating a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Enabling Environments

Help maintain a warm, nurturing setting where every child is encouraged to flourish through stimulating learning opportunities.

Community Engagement

Play a key role in strengthening our reputation, engaging with families, and supporting occupancy through exceptional customer care.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience Required

We are looking for applicants with:

• A full and relevant Level 3 early years qualification (as listed by the DfE).
• A DBS enhanced disclosure for the child workforce sector on the update service.
• A 12-hour Paediatric First Aid certificate.
• Safeguarding training and qualification.
• Minimum 2 years’ post-qualifying experience .

Benefits

Perks and Benefits

As part of the Banana Moon family, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits that support your wellbeing, development, and work–life balance:

• Yearly Award Ceremony – celebrating outstanding team contributions.
• Staff Meetings with Dinner – meaningful discussions over a shared meal.
• Smart Uniform – professional, stylish, and provided for you.
• Continuous Professional Development – grow your skills and knowledge.
• Discounted Childcare – priority care for your own little ones, so you can focus on your career.
• On-site Free Parking – convenient and stress-free.
• Holiday Entitlement – time to rest and recharge.
• Pension Scheme – supporting your long-term financial wellbeing.
• Employee of the Month – Celebrating our team’s commitment and recognising the hard work of our team.
• On-site Wellbeing Champion – supporting staff mental health
• Our own bespoke Banana Moon curriculum – our bespoke Early learning and Development programme is amazing and fully focuses on the children, parents and staff. Our ELDP has removed most of the paperwork so the staff team can focus on quality interactions and teaching with the children!