Assistant Nursery Manager

Busy Bees Nurseries; Ripon; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career progression

Hive benefits and discounts across a 


Up to 28 days holiday per year

50% childcare discount

Job summary

Busy Bees Nurseries is seeking an Assistant Centre Director for its Ripon nursery. You will support the Centre Director in overseeing daily operations and educational standards, while leading a team to deliver a high-quality Bee Curious curriculum.

The role emphasizes staff mentorship, regulatory compliance, and strong customer service to families. This position offers a pathway to further leadership opportunities within Busy Bees.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in early years education.
• Leadership or supervisory experience in an early years setting.
• Proven track record of curriculum development.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Director in daily operations and educational standards.
• Develop and deliver an engaging, high-quality curriculum for young children.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and uphold health and safety standards.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to staff to build a cohesive team.
• Enhance customer satisfaction by delivering exceptional service to families.
• Assist with scheduling, payroll, and recruitment.
• Support financial planning and sustainability of the centre.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Regulatory compliance

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

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 Day Nursery and Preschool Ripon is an Ofsted-rated "Good" facility with a capacity of 126 children, caring for ages from 12 weeks to 5 years. This purpose-built, one-storey nursery features eight rooms, all offering outstanding care and direct access to enclosed outdoor play areas. The nursery also boasts a large garden space, complete with a woodland nature trail and forest area, providing an enriching outdoor experience. Located conveniently on College Business Park, it is an ideal setting for children's early learning and development.

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.

If you are ready to make a positive impact in the field of early childhood education and childcare, we encourage you to apply for the Nursery Manager position at Busy Bees.

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.