Assistant Nursery Manager

Busy Bees Nurseries Ltd.; Epsom; Remote; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career progression

Birthday day off

Childcare discount

Pension scheme

Wellbeing platform

Job summary

Busy Bees Epsom is seeking an experienced Assistant Centre Director to join our Good-rated nursery. You will support the Centre Director, lead a dedicated team, maintain high standards of care and education, and drive operational excellence in a busy setting.

With a focus on curriculum leadership, staff development and regulatory compliance, you\'ll help nurture a warm, safe environment where children thrive.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in an early years setting.
• Experience mentoring childcare staff and teams.
• Knowledge of Ofsted/early years regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in day-to-day operations.
• Lead development and delivery of a high-quality curriculum.
• Ensure high standards of safety, health and safeguarding.

Skills

Leadership experience

Staff mentoring

Regulatory compliance

Curriculum development

Education

Level 3 EYFS qualification

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees - Assistant Centre Director

About Busy Bees

Busy Bees is one of the UK's leading nursery groups, with almost 400 nurseries across the UK and additional locations overseas. We are passionate about giving every child the best possible start in life and creating an environment where children and colleagues feel valued, supported and inspired. Our commitment to excellence and positive workplace culture has earned us industry recognition and awards.

Why Work at Busy Bees?

At Busy Bees, we believe in providing a supportive and inclusive working environment where every colleague has the opportunity to develop, grow and reach their full potential.

As an Assistant Centre Director, you will be part of a dedicated leadership team, working alongside the Centre Director to ensure the smooth and effective running of the nursery. You will help maintain high standards of childcare and education, support and motivate colleagues, and create an environment where children can thrive.

You will also have the opportunity to embrace our unique Bee Curious curriculum, which encourages children to explore, discover and develop their curiosity, confidence and independence.

About the Role

Are you an enthusiastic and experienced early years professional with strong leadership and management skills?

As Assistant Centre Director, you will play a key role in supporting the Centre Director with the day-to-day management and overall operation of the nursery. You will help lead and develop the team, maintain high standards of care and education, and ensure the nursery provides a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment for every child.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a busy, fast-paced setting, has a passion for early years education and is motivated to make a positive difference to children, families and colleagues.

You will be instrumental in promoting a positive team culture, supporting operational efficiency and ensuring children receive the highest quality learning and care experiences.

About Our Nursery - Busy Bees Epsom

Our Busy Bees Epsom nursery is rated Good by Ofsted and provides childcare for up to 84 children in a welcoming and stimulating environment.

The nursery is thoughtfully arranged across three dedicated base rooms, offering age-appropriate spaces that support children's individual learning and development. We also have two outdoor areas, including a dedicated nature area within our preschool outdoor space, giving children fantastic opportunities to explore the natural world, develop their curiosity and enjoy outdoor learning.

Our nursery benefits from an excellent central location, making it easily accessible for both families and colleagues. We are just a five-minute walk from Epsom Train Station, with several local bus connections also available within a short walking distance.

Additional nearby amenities include:

• Excellent transport links: Epsom Train Station is approximately five minutes away on foot.
• Convenient shopping: Ashley Shopping Centre is just a two-minute walk from the nursery.
• Accessible public transport: Local bus services are available within a five-minute walk.
• Free staff parking: Convenient on-site parking is available for colleagues.

At Busy Bees Epsom, we are proud to offer a welcoming environment, engaging learning spaces and opportunities for children to explore and develop through a variety of experiences.

We are looking for a motivated and passionate Assistant Centre Director who can bring strong leadership, enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence, helping us continue to deliver outstanding experiences for children, families and our nursery team.

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.

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.