Assistant Nursery Manager

Busy Bees Nurseries; Lewes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Bee Curious curriculum access

Birthday day off

Staff discounts and benefits

Job summary

Busy Bees Lewes is seeking an Assistant Centre Director to support the Centre Director in daily operations and educational leadership. You will help shape a high-quality curriculum and ensure regulatory compliance while mentoring staff and promoting a safe, engaging environment for children.

Join a leading UK nursery group with strong community links and opportunities for professional growth. This role offers a competitive package and a workplace that values development and collaboration.

Qualifications

• An approved Level 3 qualification or higher in early years education.
• Leadership or supervisory experience in an early years setting (Assistant Nursery Manager/Deputy) preferred.
• Proven track record of ensuring educational excellence and curriculum development.
• Strong communication and organisational skills with teamwork focus.
• Experience maintaining regulatory standards and health and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in overseeing daily operations and 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 build a cohesive team.
• Lead efforts to improve customer satisfaction and centre experience for families.
• Assist with administrative tasks including scheduling, payroll, and recruitment.
• Support financial planning and upkeep of operational records.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Level 3 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 Lewes, rated Good by Ofsted, is a small centre with a capacity of 51 children, featuring three dedicated rooms and a sleep room for rest. Our nursery boasts two gardens, providing ample outdoor space for play and exploration. We actively engage with the community through regular walks, helping children connect with their surroundings. Conveniently located near the local station and with numerous bus routes and shops close by, we ensure accessibility for families while fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment for all children.

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—