Assistant Nursery Manager

Busy Bees; Lightwater; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Career progression

40% childcare discount

28 days holiday including bank

Birthday off

Private medical insurance discount

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work

Pension access

Job summary

Busy Bees is seeking an Assistant Centre Director to help lead a busy nursery in the UK. You will assist the Centre Director in day-to-day operations and drive an engaging, high-quality curriculum for children, while ensuring all regulatory standards and safety protocols are met.

The role requires Level 3 in early years, leadership experience, and strong communication with staff and families. Join a supportive, collaborative team with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of an early years team.
• Experience developing and delivering high-quality curriculum.
• Strong ability to communicate with families and staff.
• Commitment to regulatory and health & safety standards.
• Ability to mentor and develop staff using a collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in daily operations and educational standards.
• Develop and deliver an engaging curriculum tailored to children’s needs.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and health and safety protocols.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to staff to maintain a cohesive team.
• Enhance customer satisfaction by delivering exceptional service to families.
• Assist with administration, scheduling, payroll and recruitment.
• Support financial planning to sustain nursery operations.

Skills

Leadership

Staff mentorship

Curriculum development

Communication

Organisational skills

Regulatory compliance

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

West End, rated Good by Ofsted, is a family-oriented nursery with a capacity of 48 children, dedicated to providing the best start in life and supporting their development. We foster a close-knit community and have a care home nearby, enhancing our connection to the local area. Conveniently located, we are just a short walk from three local shops and have a bus stop on the main road that provides easy access to the local town. We also offer free parking for staff, ensuring convenient access to our nurturing environment.

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.