Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Childcare; Chichester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Chichester is looking for an Early Years Assistant to support children's development and assist in preparing educational activities. This role is ideal for those passionate about working with children. No formal qualifications are required, but prior experience is beneficial. The position offers a supportive environment, ongoing development, and competitive salary along with various employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Your birthday off

Enhanced family leave and return-to-work bonus

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 offers opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children’s lives.

About our Nursery

Busy Bees Chichester, rated Good by Ofsted, has a capacity of 92 children and features a one-level building where each room has its own garden. Our longstanding staff team is fully first aid trained, ensuring a safe environment for all children. We offer the option of early drop-off at 7 AM and have an experienced preschool teacher on staff. Our nursery engages in weekly visits to a local care home and enjoys local walks and outings whenever possible. Conveniently located within walking distance of Chichester University and St. Richard's Hospital, we also have a bus stop outside that provides easy access to Chichester city center, with excellent transport links to London, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Brighton. Additionally, we offer free parking for staff, creating a supportive and accessible environment for everyone.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• HiveBenefits and wellbeing hub with discounts across a wide 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
• Support for menopause 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)
• Access to Hive Benefits and Wellbeing platform with discounts and a Wellbeing Hub
• Celebrating You and Grow with Us sections highlighting recognition and development opportunities

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.