Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Childcare; Braintree; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Braintree is seeking an Early Years Assistant to help deliver educational activities and support the development of children. This role offers valuable experience in a nurturing environment with ongoing training. The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with children and an understanding of their unique needs. This position comes with a competitive salary and various benefits aimed at supporting personal development and well-being.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development and career progression

Discounts across a huge range of retailers

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Birthday off

Enhanced family leave

Financial support through Salary Finance

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• 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.

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

Passion for working with children

Empathy and understanding

Job description

Overview

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

Join our remarkable team at Busy Bees in Braintree Great Notley, an Ofsted-rated Outstanding nursery with a capacity of 104 children. Our longstanding team is dedicated to providing exceptional care in a nurturing environment, supported by our triple Outstanding rating. We feature a large garden, perfect for outdoor exploration and play. Ideally situated in a village location, we offer easy links to Chelmsford, Bishop's Stortford, and Stansted, ensuring convenient access for staff and families. Additionally, we provide free parking for our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in early childhood education within a supportive and high-quality setting.

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)

Additionally, you'll have access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive, offering a wide array of retail discounts and a Wellbeing Hub supporting your physical and mental health. The Celebrating You section recognises and rewards our valued team members, and a Grow with Us area shares exciting development opportunities and training designed to help you thrive 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.

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.

Get started in early years education with Busy Bees—apply now!