Deputy Creche Manager / Head Office Admin Assistant

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified childcare practitioner who loves to travel (UK and Europe) and is keen to develop their management skills. This role would suit someone who is new to the role of management / leadership and wants to upskill.

This unique role combines office based tasks, preparing and planning events, alongside onsite work where the successful candidate will be in charge of running Nipperbout's childcare settings and managing a team of our experienced Purple People. This is primarily an event creche manager role, with additional administrative tasks. The successful applicant will be at the forefront of delivering Nipperbout's events and services as well as carrying out general administrative and secretarial duties.

Working hours will vary each week depending on the operating hours of the events we are running. When not working at an event, the weekly hours will be topped up by supporting our Events Coordinator in the head office, carrying out administrative tasks in order to prepare for the onsite events.

This role will include in house training which will enable the successful candidate to develop their management and leadership skills over time. The successful candidate will receive onsite training in order to learn the way Nipperbout operates. Training will be provided by the company Directors and by other onsite Nipperbout Managers. Within the office environment the successful candidate will report to the Events Coordinator, Operations Manager and Company Directors. External training opportunities will also be available including relevant childcare training such as safeguarding, first aid and SEND courses.

Within our settings, Purple People work as part of a team (between 2 and 30+ people) to care for, entertain and educate children who are attending a Nipperbout setting. This could be supervising a stay & play area at an exhibition; being a key worker for a group of children during a conference creche; chaperoning one child for a day in a city; or running games and activities on a children's festival field. The role of a Purple Person is to engage and entertain visiting children by planning and providing a variety of activities/games/sessions as well as educating children by seeking learning and development opportunities through play. At some events Purple People will act in 'locus parentis' and at other events their role will be to supervise parent/child play. When in 'locus parentis', Purple People are also responsible for ensuring they meet the basic needs of the child/ren in their care (i.e keep them safe, fed, watered and access to
toilets/nappy changes).

This position will suit someone conscientious and ambitious, who is keen to participate in the on-going success of the company. There will be opportunities to contribute to the create theming of the events and support the Directors in implementing new products and services., The Nipperbout Deputy Manager & Admin Assistant's responsibilities will change depending on whether they are working onsite at an event or at the head office in Buckinghamshire.

The successful applicant will be supplied with a full job description for the role of 'Purple Person' (onsite event creche role), however in brief responsibilities include

· Working as part of a team of staff (Purple Person) or leading a team of staff (Room Leader / Event Manager).

· Undertaking the duties of a 'key worker', caring for one or more children and ensuring their basic needs are met.

· Ensuring Nipperbout equipment is used appropriately, safely and remains secure at all times.

· To have a working knowledge of the Nipperbout policies and procedures and adhere to them at all times.

· To have a full understanding of your responsibility to safeguarding children and commit to monitoring and enforcing the safeguarding policy and to reporting any concerns.

· To ensure that you understand and to the best of your ability use the Nipperbout communication methods with children and other staff (also known as the Nipperbout philosophy/ethos).

· To supervise, maintain and clean the play areas and equipment, during and at the end of each shift.

· To assist with cleaning and break down of Nipperbout equipment at the end of the event for at least one hour.

· To be a positive ambassador for Nipperbout at all times and to support Nipperbout to embody the company values.

· To actively contribute to making the Nipperbout setting F

• un and welcoming, Inclusive and compliant, Safe and Stimulating (FISS).


Administrative responsibilities are varied and busy with a principle duty of ensuring the events are delivered on time and to the high standard Nipperbout's clients expect. Tasks include;

· Providing general administrative support to the Events Coordinator, Operations Manager and Company Directors.

· Researching venues, accommodation, local child-friendly activities, entertainers, suppliers and workshops

· Booking domestic and international travel and accommodation

· Supporting with the management of all food and beverage requirements, including dietary needs of staff and children.

· Supporting with preparing the Job Boxes with all necessary paperwork and inserting documentation into the relevant folders and/or the digital equivalent of this.

· Data entry - online events system

· Contacting parents to discuss and log the needs of children with SEND and/or other medical/non-medical requirements or needs. This includes completing Nipperbout's accompanying paperwork and forms.

· Other general office administration duties (including stock supplies, answering the telephone, taking messages, ensuring e-mails are replied to or acknowledged, typing up meeting minutes, scanning and filing etc)

Across both parts of this role, the successful candidate will be expected to

· Keep the Directors up-to-date and fully informed

· Have deep product and services knowledge

· Ensure confidentiality of Nipperbout intellectual property

· Liaise with clients, venue managers, accommodation managers and catering teams to deliver our services and to build excellent relationships with these persons.

Applicants must

· be 21 years of age or older

· hold a full and relevant OFSTED recognised childcare qualification of Level 3 or above (to include Early Years).

· previous experience working with children

· have a least 6 months experience working in a leadership and/or management role

Required skills include

· IT skills - Microsoft Office including good knowledge of Excel

· Familiarity with Apple Mac computers is preferred

· Confident telephone manner

· Outstanding negotiation, organisational and planning skills

· Excellent written and spoken communication including clear, legible handwriting

· Flexibility with working hours to adapt to the needs of the business in a busy office

· Excellent problem-solving skills

· Ability to mentally retain large amounts of information

· Ability to work well under time constraints and to meet targets

· Proactive approach and ability to work autonomously as well as having a strong team ethic

· Ability to work calmly in a high-pressured environment

The applicant should be self-motivated, extremely organised, able to work alone and as part of a team, be open to working with the Nipperbout philosophy/ethos and eager to take further responsibility when the opportunity arises.

Nipperbout is a family run, event childcare provider, governed by the relevant registered body (e.g: Ofsted in England), servicing conferences, exhibitions, festivals, fun days and events throughout the UK and Europe. We are a small family run business which has been operating for over 30 years and is currently headed by three Directors.

Nipperbout strives for professionalism and good organisation with dedicated and committed staff. Our company values are Curiosity, Compassion, Connection and Self-appreciation.

Nipperbout are passionate about delivering a service that goes above and beyond traditional 'kids play areas' or 'mobile creches'. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding 'edutainment' in all our settings and we're looking for outgoing individuals who share our enthusiasm for imaginative play, holistic learning and enchanting storytelling to help us deliver and set up exceptional play areas.

Nipperbout is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, encouraging a culture of ongoing awareness and vigilance throughout the company.

Operating areas:

Nipperbout operates in a variety of venues (indoors and outdoors) all across the UK mainland and Europe. Where staff are working more than 25 miles from their home address, Nipperbout arrange travel and accommodation for the event.

Nipperbout's Head Office is based in Buckinghamshire, near Milton Keynes, where the administration part of this role would be carried out.