Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Nurseries; Compton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development and —

Bee Curious curriculum access

Holiday entitlement (up to 28 days)

Birthday off

Pension access

Employee wellbeing platform

Job summary

Busy Bees Ashbourne, part of the UK’s leading nursery group Busy Bees, is hiring an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified). You’ll support children from 12 weeks to 5 years, help deliver engaging, play-based activities, and contribute to a nurturing learning environment with committed colleagues.

No formal qualifications are required, and the role offers valuable on-the-job training, ongoing professional development, and access to our Bee Curious curriculum and welfare benefits as part of the Busy

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications are required for this role.
• Experience in early years settings is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Strong desire to learn and grow in the early years sector.

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 play-based learning.
• Ensure the welfare and safety of all children is maintained.

Skills

Empathy

Patience with children

Communication

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

Join the dedicated team at Busy Bees Ashbourne, an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 81, catering to children aged 12 weeks to 5 years. Our caring and highly skilled childcare professionals provide tailored, age-appropriate activities and experiences across individual rooms designed specifically for each developmental stage. Located in a charming converted church on Derby Road, our nursery is easily accessible with excellent transport links to Derby, Uttoxeter, and the A515 and A52. As a valued member of our team, you will help create a nurturing environment where children can thrive and explore. Enjoy the convenience of free parking while working in a supportive atmosphere focused on fostering children's growth and learning. We would love to welcome you to our vibrant community at Busy Bees Ashbourne!

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.

About Our Nursery

Join the dedicated team at Busy Bees Ashbourne, an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 81, catering to children aged 12 weeks to 5 years. Our caring and highly skilled childcare professionals provide tailored, age-appropriate activities and experiences across individual rooms designed specifically for each developmental stage. Located in a charming converted church on Derby Road, our nursery is easily accessible with excellent transport links to Derby, Uttoxeter, and the A515 and A52. As a valued member of our team, you will help create a nurturing environment where children can thrive and explore. Enjoy the convenience of free parking while working in a supportive atmosphere focused on fostering children's growth and learning. We would love to welcome you to our vibrant community at Busy Bees Ashbourne!

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.