Early Years Assistant

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 40%

Enhanced parental leave

Annual leave 20 days + holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits

Careers coach

Professional development

Job summary

Bright Horizons Rose Cottage Day Nursery and Preschool in Haywards Heath is seeking an Early Years Assistant to join a friendly team caring for babies and children up to age 5. You will support interactive play, reading, and activities to nurture curiosity and development.

The role emphasizes teamwork, strong communication with colleagues and parents, and safeguarding with an enhanced DBS check. A welcoming, inclusive environment with room for professional growth is highlighted.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children ideal but not essential.
• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with colleagues and parents.
• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults.

Responsibilities

• As an Early Years Assistant, you will work as part of a team to look after babies and children up to the age of 5.
• You will have adventures with our children through interactive play, activities, reading, and encouraging their curious minds.
• Supporting colleagues with each child’s development towards their key milestones.

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Rose Cottage Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary

Starting from £26,662 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location

Haywards Heath

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for an Early Years Assistant to join our to join our Bright Horizons Rose Cottage Day Nursery and Preschool, located on the outskirts of Haywards Heath making it a slightly more rural setting.

This nursery setting includes both a well-equipped garden area and a dedicated woodland space, providing rich opportunities for outdoor play, discovery and hands-on learning in all seasons including a woodland area with animals – goats, chickens, ducks and guinea pigs. There’s also onsite parking and it’s conveniently close to the M23.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 40% for first child
• Enhanced parental leave
• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach
• Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Assistant, you will work as part of a team to look after babies and children up to the age of 5. You will have adventures with our children through interactive play, activities, reading, and encouraging their curious minds – supporting colleagues with each child’s development towards their key milestones.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience working with children ideal but not essential – Nursery Bank Staff, Nursery Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Nursery Practitioner, Early Years Educator, Nanny, Childminder or similar
• Passion for making learning fun and engaging for each child
• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents
• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.