Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Childcare; Kingston near Lewes; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the UK is seeking an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified) to support children's development in a nurturing environment. Join a dynamic team at a facility praised for its culture and commitment to early childhood education. Enjoy numerous benefits including competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a unique work culture focused on employee wellbeing. This is a great opportunity to start your career in early years education.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development and career progression

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

Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health

Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members

Dedicated Grow with Us area sharing exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees

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 are maintained.

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

Busy Bees East Grinstead, rated Good by Ofsted, has a capacity of 88 children and features a longstanding team dedicated to providing every child with the best start in life. Our manager, who opened the nursery in December 2019, fosters a nurturing and supportive environment. Conveniently located just a 10‑minute walk from the train station, which offers direct links to London, and only a short 5‑minute walk to the town centre, we are also situated opposite a leisure centre. We provide free parking for staff and offer a four‑day working week option, making it an attractive workplace for educators.

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)
• Access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive – offering huge arrays of retail discounts to help your money go further
• Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health
• Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members
• Dedicated Grow with Us area sharing 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 are 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!