Assistant Nursery Manager

Busy Bees Nurseries; Market Harborough; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career progression

Hive benefits and discounts

Up to 28 days holiday

Birthday off

50% childcare discount

Enhanced family leave

Peppy menopause support

Salary Finance

EAP and Mental Health First Aiders

Cycle to Work

Pension access

PMI discount

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Busy Bees Market Harborough is seeking an Assistant Centre Director to support the Centre Director in daily operations and educational leadership.

You will lead a team, develop a high-quality curriculum, ensure regulatory compliance and safety, and contribute to outstanding childcare.

Ideal candidate has Level 3 in early years and leadership experience; join a supportive environment with career progression.

Qualifications

• Leadership or supervisory experience in an early years setting.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Experience developing and delivering a high-quality curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in overseeing daily operations.
• Assist in developing and delivering an engaging curriculum for children.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and safety standards are maintained.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to staff.
• Enhance customer satisfaction by delivering excellent service for families.
• Assist with scheduling, payroll, and recruitment as needed.
• Support financial planning and sustainability of the centre.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strong communication

Organisational skills

Curriculum development

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 Market Harborough is rated "Good" by Ofsted and has a capacity of 118 children. Our purpose-built, single-storey nursery features five well-resourced, bright base rooms, each accompanied by its own beautiful, secure garden. This setup provides ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and learning through play. Conveniently located on the outskirts of town, we are perfect for families in Braybrook, Great Oxendon, and East Farndon. You can find us next to Harborough Leisure Centre and the South Leicestershire Medical Group. We take pride in our long-standing team, with some staff members dedicating over 10 years to our nursery!

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—