Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Nurseries; Ardington; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development and ≈

Hive benefits and discounts

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Your birthday off

Enhanced family leave and return to‑工作

Peppy menopause support

Salary Finance

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Pension access through Cushon

Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Job summary

Busy Bees Oxford Ardington, a Good-rated nursery, is seeking an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified) to support children’s learning in a woodland setting near Wantage. You’ll gain hands-on experience with training and development opportunities.

This entry-level role requires a passion for children; no formal qualifications are required. Competitive hourly pay (£12.75 for over 21) plus benefits and progression opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required, though experience in early years is beneficial.
• Passion for working with children and supporting their development.
• Empathy and understanding – each child is unique.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing and delivering educational activities for children.
• Support the team in maintaining a safe and nurturing environment.
• Help children develop socially, emotionally, and physically through engaging play-based learning.
• Ensure the welfare and safety of all children is maintained.

Skills

Empathy

Child development

Patience

Teamwork

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Are you passionate about working with children and eager to start your career in early childhood education? As an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified) at Busy Bees, you’ll gain valuable experience in a dynamic environment while helping children grow and develop. This role is perfect for anyone eager to learn and grow in their professional journey, with ongoing support and training to help you succeed in the early years sector.

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 Oxford Ardington, rated Good by Ofsted, accommodates 102 children in a beautiful woodland location that offers excellent transport links and access to local walks and cafés. Our nursery prioritizes staff wellbeing with a comprehensive package that includes hot lunches. We frequently organize trips for children to explore the local park, post office, and surrounding woods, enriching their learning experiences. Conveniently situated just outside Wantage in Ardington village, our nursery is very easy to find. Additionally, we provide free parking for staff, ensuring a welcoming and accessible environment for educators and families alike.

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!
• 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)

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing and delivering educational activities for children.
• Support the team in maintaining a safe and nurturing environment.
• Help children develop socially, emotionally, and physically through engaging play-based learning.
• Ensure the welfare and safety of all children is maintained.

Our hourly rates of pay differ for people under 21 but they are above national minimum wage levels. For employees aged 21 and above, our hourly rate of pay is £12.75.

Ideal Candidate

• No formal qualifications required, although prior experience in early years settings is beneficial.
• A passion for working with children and supporting their development.
• Empathy and understanding – each child is unique.