Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Childcare; Gravesham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in Gravesham is seeking an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified) to support children in their development and education. This role offers training and a nurturing work environment where empathy and dedication to child care are valued. Ideal candidates will show a passion for working with children and be eager to learn. Enjoy competitive salary and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Holiday plan with up to 28 days off

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.

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

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. 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

Meopham, rated Good by Ofsted, is a purpose-built nursery with a capacity of 112 children, designed on a single level where each room has direct access to spacious gardens. We maintain strong collaborations with local schools and agencies to enhance our children's development and community ties. Located just a short distance from Gravesend, we offer free parking for staff, all within a supportive environment fostered by our longstanding staff team.

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, enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive — offering huge array of retail discounts to help your money go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcases the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area shares the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow 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!