Third in Charge

BHUK Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited UK

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Southampton Hampshire SO15 5DF Until 8/22/2026 2+ years exp First posted April 20, 2026 Last posted April 20, 2026
Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Southampton Day Nursery

Salary – £30,754.90 - £38,368.70 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location –Southampton

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for a Third in Charge to join our Southampton Day Nursery.

Our Benefits

  • Childcare discount of 50% for first child

  • Enhanced parental leave

  • Competitive bonus of up to £1,500, awarded in line with Ofsted inspection outcomes

  • 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*

  • Pension

  • Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more

  • Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach

*Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As a Third in Charge, you will lead, mentor, support, and inspire a team to deliver exception care and education. You will promote and ensure child welfare, health and safety, and safeguarding, and maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, parents, and other professionals to meet each child’s needs. When required, you will also act as Designated Safeguarding Lead at the nursery, promote the nursery to support retention and ongoing occupancy growth, and engage with the Local Authority to understand the local offering and support practice across all areas of the nursery.

What we’re looking for

  • Full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification

  • Previous experience working within an Early Years setting – ideally as a Third in Charge, Room Leader, Early Years Educator or similar

  • Confident decision maker, with previous experience providing support and leadership to others

  • Strong knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection, and the wider legislative requirements for working with children

  • Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents/ carers

  • Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years. Apply today!

INDSH

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.


We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.


Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years. Apply today!


We look forward to receiving your application!

About this role

Summary

Lead and support nursery team, ensure child welfare, safety, and foster partnerships.

Job title

Third in Charge

Experience level

2+ years

Minimum experience

2+ years exp

Industry

healthcare

Location requirements

Southampton, no remote work allowed

Salary

£31k–£38k

Management role

Yes

Skills & keywords

Required skills

level 3 early years qualificationexperience in early years settingsafeguardingchild protectionleadership

Preferred skills

communicationpartnership development

Specializations

early yearschildcaresafeguardingleadership
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Southampton, MA 01073, USA

On-site City