Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Childcare; Rottingdean; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Rottingdean is seeking an Early Years Assistant to help children grow and develop in a nurturing environment. This role is perfect for those passionate about working with children and offers ongoing professional development. Responsibilities include preparing educational activities, ensuring child safety, and developing children's social and emotional skills. Ideal candidates should have empathy and a desire to support child development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Up to 28 days holiday

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required but 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

Passion for working with children

Empathy and understanding

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

Busy Bees Charlton, rated Good by Ofsted, accommodates 95 children and provides spacious play areas for each age group, designed to create a homely feel while offering separate areas for rest, play, and mealtimes. We ensure that each child's individual needs are met while they enjoy fun activities and resources in a safe environment tailored for under-fives. All children have access to our beautifully designed garden, featuring fun and challenging outdoor equipment suited for every age group. Conveniently located close to local bus and train routes, we offer some of the most flexible start and finish times in the area, accommodating different working patterns. We provide complimentary lunches for our children and free parking for staff. Additionally, we promote physical development through PE sessions, offer bespoke home learning activities to extend learning beyond the nursery, and organize trips to local places to broaden children's horizons. Our extracurricular activities include Spa Day, Music Lessons, Yoga, and Ballet, enriching the overall nursery experience for all children.

Benefits

Busy Bees Benefits include: 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). We also offer access to Hive, a benefits and wellbeing platform with retailer discounts and a Wellbeing Hub, plus a Grow with Us area for development opportunities and training.

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!