What's it like being pre-school supervisor/deputy?

[lunavix]

Both positions have come up at a local pre-school. I was wondering what each roughly involved, and the main differences. Also is pay term time only?

I'm doing NVQ3 but they've said it doesn't matter that it's not completed for either role.

not sure about the duties, but the pay is normally term time plus 4 weeks holiday pay. Some places will pay a salary to the supervisor so that you have it averaged over 12 months.
They should have job descriptions for the 2 positions.

Well, first off I was under the impression you had to be level 3 for both, unless of course you'd be qualified before you took the job on. Deputy would be less overall responsibility (and money probably!) but you would probably be required to stand in /cover for the leader sometimes. You would need first aid and child protection training unless this had been specifically covered in your course.
It depends how the pre-school is run. If committee led, the leader would report to them and then the deputy to the leader.
Regarding pay, it's usually averaged out over 12 months (ie you're paid for August although you wouldn't be there) or you get paid for when you work plus holiday pay.
I'm sure there's loads more but hope that helps!
Can I just say it's a very rewarding job and lots of fun with never a dull moment but knackering and badly paid!!!

Lunavix, just to add, after consideration, the duties will depend VERY MUCH on whether there is a committee or not. Half the burden of paperwork/responsibility etc is taken off you if so. Check out the job description carefuly. It's difficult to fill these positions cos of the (crap) money and they might not be altogether clear about what's involved till you've signed on the dotted line.

I have no personal experience, but my friend is a playgroup supervisor and she is drowning in paperwork and red tape. And her house is full of playgroup stuff (mainly paper) that they can't store on the premises.

So definitely ask questions about whether anyone else helps with the admin!

If the pre-school is loosing both at the same time you will be in a strong position to negotiate what you want - so I would talk to them more and see what comes up. Our pre-school pay the leader and deputy an annualised salery - but 7 times a year - and this includes a fair number of hours for paper work, but only four weeks holiday. But if they left we would be happy to change it to a play leader and an administrator type person if that was the sort of people we found were applying (and cut the outside hours for the play leader)

The Manager where I work seems to just to paperwork and staff management. The Deputy does lots of planning and evaluations of planning afterwards but still has hand-on involvement with the 4+ group. Both the Manager and Deputy work 4 days but hve 1 day at college doing NVQ4 so perhaps that's why they seem busy. The Supervisor (new position created as Mgr and Dmgr going to college ) has lots of involvement with the children and supervises the rest of us to ensure ratio is adherred to. She also does lots of displays and helps with ideas for planning and improved paperwork for files e.g observation suggestions to try and make our job easier. Her background is daycare nurseries so she has lots of ideas to share. TBH too much paperwork for everyone is the one complaint I have about this job.

I am a deputy in a Pre school and you have to have an nvq level 3 and two years post qualification before you can become a deputy. This is what ofsted insisted on when I applied.