Assistant Nursery Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Bee Curious curriculum

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Birthday off

50% childcare discount

Enhanced family leave

Wellbeing platform

Cycle to Work

Private Medical Insurance

Pension scheme

Job summary

Busy Bees Nurseries seeks an Assistant Centre Director to support the Centre Director in daily operations and educational standards within a thriving UK nursery group. You will lead a team, contribute to curriculum delivery, and uphold regulatory compliance to ensure a high‑quality experience for children and families.

The role focuses on leadership, curriculum development, staff mentoring, and ensuring a welcoming, safe environment.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in early years education is required.
• Leadership or supervisory experience in an early years setting is preferred.
• Strong communication and organisational skills are essential for the role.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in overseeing daily operations and maintaining educational standards.
• Assist in developing and delivering a high-quality curriculum tailored to children’s needs.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and maintain high safety and health standards.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to staff to maintain a cohesive team.
• Lead efforts to enhance customer satisfaction by delivering a positive centre experience for families.
• Assist with scheduling, payroll, and recruitment.
• Manage operational records and support financial planning for sustainability.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Level 3 qualification in Early Years education

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

Busy Bees Bicester Kingsmere, rated Good by Ofsted, is a purpose‑built nursery that opened in 2018, accommodating up to 110 children. Our dedicated team actively involves parents in their children’s development, ensuring they receive the best start in life. We invite local artists to collaborate with us, creating beautiful pieces for the children during the Christmas season. Conveniently located near two bus stops and a variety of amenities, we also offer free parking for staff, making access to our nurturing environment easy and convenient for families and educators alike.

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.

But wait, there’s more! 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.

Join our supportive and collaborative work environment, learn from experienced colleagues, and make meaningful connections.

Nursery Manager position 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.