Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Childcare; Elstow; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the UK is looking for an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified) to support the growth and development of children. This position is ideal for individuals passionate about early childhood education, providing valuable experience in a nurturing environment. Candidates will assist in educational activities and help maintain safety for children. No formal qualifications are required, making it accessible for those eager to start a career in this field.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Ongoing professional development and career progression

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Your birthday off

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

Empathy

Passion for working with children

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 Busy Bees at our Bedford Elstow nursery, rated Good by Ofsted with a capacity for 112 children. Our dedicated team thrives on delivering excellence and utilizes natural spaces in our Bumbles and Preschool Gardens to enhance children's learning experiences. Conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from the bus stop (park and ride) and easily accessible via the A6 and A421, we also provide free parking for our staff. Enjoy the flexibility of a 4-day working week option as you contribute to a nurturing environment where children can thrive!

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)
- Hive Benefits and Wellbeing platform with discounts and a Wellbeing Hub

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!