Assistant Nursery Manager

Busy Bees Nurseries Ltd.; Guildford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

28 days holiday per year (including BH

Birthday off

50% childcare discount

Pension / retirement benefits

Employee wellbeing & support services

Career progression and training

Job summary

Busy Bees Guildford is seeking an Assistant Centre Director to support the Centre Director in running daily operations and upholding an outstanding early years curriculum.

You will lead a dedicated team, drive high-quality learning experiences, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote a safe, nurturing environment for children and families.

Join our leading nursery group and enjoy excellent development opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification or above in early years education.
• Experience in an early years setting with leadership or supervisory experience (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 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 an engaging, high-quality curriculum tailored to children.
• Ensure the centre complies with regulatory requirements and maintains high safety/health standards.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to staff, ensuring a cohesive team.
• Lead efforts to enhance customer satisfaction by delivering excellent service and positive centre experience for families.
• Assist with administrative tasks including scheduling, payroll, and recruitment.
• Manage operational records and support financial planning for sustainability.

Skills

Leadership

Early years expertise

Management

Curriculum development

Regulatory compliance

Communication & 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 Busy Bees Guildford Fitzsimmons Place accommodates 124 children and features a longstanding team dedicated to providing the best start in life for every child. Conveniently located, the nursery is just a two-minute walk from the nearest bus stop and a 10-minute walk from the train station, making it easily accessible for families. During your lunch break, you can enjoy the nearby town, which is also a 10-minute walk away, or take a quick five-minute stroll to the river. We offer free parking for staff, ensuring a smooth experience during drop-offs and collections.

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.

Lead with passion and help create a nurturing learning environment—