Vânia Almeida
London
Summary
Educator, life-long learner and reflective education professional. Hardworking, highly motivated professional eager to lend combined knowledge and skills to enhance business performance. Leadership and management skills and resourceful and results-driven with a passion for growth and efficiency to meet company needs and increase service value.
Overview
3
3
Languages
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Manager
Enchanted Lands Day Nursery
London
07.2026 - Current
- Supported delivery of child-led curriculum through everyday routines and guidance.
- Provided learning through play opportunities that matched children’s interests.
- Planned and delivered group activities alongside children to build participation.
NURSERY DEPUTY MANAGER
Little Pebbles Nursery
London
11.2025 - 07.2026
- Supported manager and deputy manager in nursery operations, overseeing daily activities to ensure smooth functioning.
- Supported room leaders by acting as key person and providing assistance in daily room activities.
- Assisted manager with funding applications, securing financial support for nursery operations and enhancing resource availability.
NURSERY MANAGER
Little Fellows Day Nursery
London
12.2021 - 10.2025
- Managed a team of 10 to 15 staff, supporting curriculum planning, financial oversight, regulatory compliance, and staff coaching and training.
- Oversaw day-to-day nursery operations, ensuring a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment for children.
- Operational Management: Managing the nursery's daily operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment (Healthy Early Years London Gold award).
- Childcare and Education: Ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and learning experiences for children, aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and inspired by child-led learning, Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf and many other pedagogies.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the nursery adheres to all relevant regulations, including health and safety, safeguarding, and Ofsted requirements.
- Staff Management: Recruiting, training, and supervising nursery staff, including conducting performance reviews and providing support.
- Parent Partnerships: Building positive relationships with parents, communicating effectively about their child's progress, and addressing any concerns.
- Strategic Planning: Contributing to the nursery's strategic development, including marketing, curriculum development, and continuous improvement.
- Built positive relationships with parents, effectively communicating about children's progress and fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Key Responsibilities:
NURSERY MANAGER
Puddleducks Nurseries
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Managed operations for start-up private day nursery, establishing foundational processes.
- Created and reviewed nursery policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met.
- Acted as Senco and primary Designated Safeguarding Lead, maintained compliance with safeguarding regulations.
- Oversaw recruitment, clearance, induction, and training of new staff, enhancing team readiness and capability.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and customers, fostering trust and communication.
- Liaising with Local Authority.
- Collaborated in team setting to handle daily assignments and challenges.
- Assessed customer needs and suggested relevant products or services to meet needs.
DEPUTY MANAGER/ ACTING MANAGER
Fountain Montessori Ltd.
08.2019 - 09.2020
- Acted as manager for three months, overseeing the operational running of the nursery, conducting tours, and handling all managerial duties.
- Supported manager in daily operations of nursery to ensure smooth functioning.
- Participated in leadership training workshops to develop management skills.
- Safeguarding lead.
- Facilitated communication between parents and Senco to support children's needs.
- Support to room leaders and Montessori educators.
- Collaborated in team setting to handle daily assignments and challenges.
- Delivered exceptional customer service while fostering children's development and education.
COVER STAFF AND DEPUTY MANAGER
Quint Education Ltd and Amazing Days Nursery
10.2018 - 08.2019
- Supported daily operations of multiple nurseries across London, engaging with infants to preschoolers to ensure a nurturing environment.
- Assisted manager in overseeing nursery operations, maintaining high standards of care and quality education for children.
- Managed daily operations, delegating tasks to team members to optimise productivity and efficiency.
- Handled customer complaints, resolving issues with professionalism to maintain high satisfaction levels.
- Maintained positive, professional working environment to optimise staff and customer satisfaction.
ROOM LEADER/ THIRD IN CHARGE
Kenton Pre-School & Day Nursery - Bright Horizons
02.2016 - 09.2018
- Experience in leading a team of staff, liaising with parents, leading the curriculum and supporting the children transitioning to schools.
- Progressed from pre-school teacher to Senco, Third in Charge, and room leader in toddler room, enhancing educational support and leadership within the team.
- Senco experience, doing referrals, applying for funding, and creating support plans.
- Took charge of the nursery and its operations in the absence of the manager and deputy.
- Assisted in initial nursery inspections to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and improve operational practices.
- Conducted nursery tours and implemented marketing strategies to promote the nursery and engage prospective parents.
NURSERY TEACHER (PRE-SCHOOL)
Mace Montessori
01.2015 - 02.2016
- Served as permanent staff member in day nursery, primarily teaching in Pre-school while providing educational support across all rooms throughout the year.
- Helped children become more independent when performing daily tasks, assisting with dressing and toileting.
- Guided children in developing basic literacy and numeracy skills through playful and interactive approaches.
- Coordinated and planned activities which kept children engaged and entertained throughout the day.
Education
INTEGRATING MONTESSORI PRACTICE -
Montessori Center International
London10-2020
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION - EARLY YEARS
Center for Research in Early Childhood and BCU
01-2022
LEVEL 3 CACHE SENCO IN THE EARLY YEARS -
Premier Early Years Training
01-2021
QTS (QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS) -
National College for Teaching & Leadership
Coventry01-2013
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION - TEACHING
Oporto University
Oporto01-2010
BACHELOR - GEOGRAPHY, MINOR IN HISTORY
Oporto University
Oporto01-2008
Skills
- EYFS
- Montessori education
- Curriculum planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Child development
- Children's development
- Child advocacy
- Operational management
- Staff management
- Training
- Performance enhancement
- Team leadership
- Team building
- Effective communication
- Parent communication
- Reflective practice
- Passion for learning
- Adaptable
- ICT skills
- Inclusive leadership
- Parent communication
Languages
Portuguese
Spanish
French
Custom
References available upon request
Hobbies and interests
- Embroidery, sewing and textile arts
- Everything Psychology, Child development and Pegagogy
Timeline
Deputy Manager
Enchanted Lands Day Nursery
07.2026 - Current
NURSERY DEPUTY MANAGER
Little Pebbles Nursery
11.2025 - 07.2026
NURSERY MANAGER
Little Fellows Day Nursery
12.2021 - 10.2025
NURSERY MANAGER
Puddleducks Nurseries
11.2020 - 11.2021
DEPUTY MANAGER/ ACTING MANAGER
Fountain Montessori Ltd.
08.2019 - 09.2020
COVER STAFF AND DEPUTY MANAGER
Quint Education Ltd and Amazing Days Nursery
10.2018 - 08.2019
ROOM LEADER/ THIRD IN CHARGE
Kenton Pre-School & Day Nursery - Bright Horizons
02.2016 - 09.2018
NURSERY TEACHER (PRE-SCHOOL)
Mace Montessori
01.2015 - 02.2016
INTEGRATING MONTESSORI PRACTICE -
Montessori Center International
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION - EARLY YEARS
Center for Research in Early Childhood and BCU
LEVEL 3 CACHE SENCO IN THE EARLY YEARS -
Premier Early Years Training
QTS (QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS) -
National College for Teaching & Leadership
MASTER'S IN EDUCATION - TEACHING
Oporto University
BACHELOR - GEOGRAPHY, MINOR IN HISTORY
Oporto University