Relief Nursery Practitioner

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

Job summary

A prominent childcare provider in the East Midlands is seeking an Early Years Assistant to support the development of children in a nurturing environment. This role requires a passion for childcare but no formal qualifications. The ideal candidate will help deliver educational activities, ensuring the welfare and safety of children while working closely with a dedicated team. Join us to embark on your career in early childhood education with comprehensive training and support.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Access to wellbeing resources

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Birthday off

Enhanced family leave

Menopause support

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

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

Understanding of child development

Job description

Early Years Assistant (Unqualified)

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – the 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, 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 Derby Oakwood on Bishops Drive, rated Good by Ofsted, has a capacity of 65 children. Our beautifully presented, purpose-built two-storey daycare setting is designed to meet the needs of both children and parents. The nursery features four age-appropriate rooms that cater to various developmental stages, ensuring every child receives the support they need. Our long-established team maintains strong links with the community, providing children with opportunities for outings to local parks, children’s centres, and Springwood Library for story-time sessions. Younger children enjoy community visits using our unique buggy bus, while preschoolers often transition to neighbouring schools, including Cavendish Close, Park View, Breadsall Hilltop, Roe Farm, and Springwood.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our “Hive” benefits 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
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aider support
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
• Access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive—offering great retail discounts and wellbeing resources
• Conscious celebration of team achievements through a “Celebrating You” section
• Dedicated “Grow with Us” area sharing development opportunities and training 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 – recognizing each child is unique.

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