Assistant Nursery Manager

Busy Bees Nurseries; Belper CP; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

28 days holiday (including bank hols)

Birthday off

Childcare discount

Enhanced family leave

Job summary

Busy Bees Nurseries Belper is seeking an Assistant Centre Director to support the Centre Director in daily operations and educational leadership. You will help shape a high-quality Bee Curious curriculum and ensure compliance with regulatory standards to protect and nurture children.

The role offers opportunities for career progression within Busy Bees’ nationwide nursery network, with a focus on staff development, robust safeguarding, and delivering an exceptional family experience.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in early years education or higher is required.
• Experience in an early years setting with leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
• Proven track record in educational excellence and curriculum development.
• Strong communication and organisational skills with a focus on teamwork.
• Experience maintaining regulatory standards and health and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in overseeing daily operations and maintaining educational standards.
• Assist in developing and delivering a high-quality curriculum for children.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and high safety and health standards.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to staff and teams.
• Lead efforts to deliver exceptional service and a positive centre experience for families.
• Assist with administrative tasks including scheduling and recruitment.
• Support financial planning and operational record-keeping.

Skills

Leadership

Early years

Curriculum development

Regulatory compliance

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 qualification in Early Years

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Are you a passionate leader with a background in early childhood education and management? As an Assistant Centre Director at Busy Bees, you will support the Centre Director in overseeing the day‑to‑day operations of the centre. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment and wants to make a difference in the lives of children while leading a team towards educational excellence.

About Us

Busy Bees is the UK's leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries across the UK and more overseas. We are dedicated to giving every child the best start in life and are proud to have won awards for our workplace culture. At Busy Bees, we ensure that every member of our team feels heard, valued, and nurtured.

Why Work at Busy Bees?

We offer a supportive environment that empowers you to create engaging, educational spaces where children can thrive. As part of our team, you’ll be introduced to our unique Bee Curious curriculum, designed to foster curiosity and confidence in young learners.

Our Charitable Commitment

Through our partnership with BBC Children in Need, we offer fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children's lives.

About Our Nursery

Join our enthusiastic team at Busy Bees Belper Gibfield Lane, an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 90 children, where we provide a nurturing environment for babies through to preschoolers. Our nursery features a variety of well‑equipped rooms designed to cater to each age group's developmental needs, allowing children to grow and learn at their own pace. Conveniently located just a 3-minute drive from Belper town centre and a 25-minute drive from Derby City Centre, our nursery is easily accessible via excellent public transport links. We are an 8-minute walk from Belper train station, and the nearest bus stop at Herbert Strutt School, serving routes 71 and 360, is just a short stroll away. Additionally, the Babington Hospital bus stop is only a 3-minute walk from our location. With free parking available, we offer convenience for parents and staff alike. If you are passionate about early childhood education and want to be part of a supportive community, we would love to welcome you to Busy Bees Belper Gibfield Lane!

Busy Bees Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our ‘Hive’ benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off – it’s our gift to you!
• 50% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Easy access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
• Opportunities to travel to other countries, experience different cultures and learn new practices.

You’ll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive – offering huge array huge of retail discounts helping your money to go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area sharing the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in overseeing the daily operations and maintaining educational standards.
• Assist in developing and delivering an engaging, high‑quality curriculum tailored to the needs of children.
• Ensure the centre complies with all relevant regulatory requirements and maintains high safety and health standards.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to staff, ensuring a cohesive and motivated team.
• Lead efforts to enhance customer satisfaction by delivering exceptional service and promoting a positive centre experience for families.
• Assist with administrative tasks, including scheduling, payroll, and recruitment.
• Manage operational records and support financial planning to ensure sustainability.

Ideal Candidate

• An approved Level 3 qualification or above in early years education.
• Experience within an early years setting, with leadership or supervisory experience ideally as either a Assistant Nursery Manager or Deputy Nursery Manager.
• Proven track record of ensuring educational excellence and curriculum development.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with a focus on teamwork.
• Experience in maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and health and safety protocols.