Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Nurseries; Southwell CP; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Development opportunities

Hive discounts

Holiday entitlement

Birthday day off

Family leave

Peppy menopause support

Salary Finance

Cycle to Work

Private medical insurance discount

Job summary

Busy Bees Southwell is seeking an Early Years Assistant (unqualified) to support children’s learning in a nurturing, safe environment. You’ll gain hands-on experience and access to the Bee Curious curriculum with ongoing training.

No formal qualifications are required; prior experience in early years helps. We offer competitive pay, holidays, and access to development opportunities within the UK’s leading nursery group.

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required.
• Prior experience in early years settings is beneficial.
• 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

Patience

Teamwork

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 your 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 Southwell is an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 48, located just a short drive from Southwell town centre. The nursery features three separate childcare rooms tailored to different age groups—babies, toddlers, and pre‑school children—each offering a safe and nurturing environment. With bright, airy decor, the nursery provides a welcoming space for children to begin their educational journey. Learning is not confined to indoors, as the nursery boasts a secure outdoor area with fun equipment like slides, seesaws, and ride‑on cars, allowing children to explore and play in a stimulating environment. Conveniently located on Allenby Road, the nursery is easily accessible by both car and public transport, with the Vicarage Road bus stop less than a minute's walk away, served by routes 26, 28, 29, and N26. Free parking is also available for added convenience.

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)

But wait, there’s more! You’ll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive - offering huge array huge of retail discounts helping your money to go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area sharing 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.

Our hourly rates of pay differ for people under 21 but they are above national minimum wage levels. For employees aged 21 and above, our hourly rate of pay is £12.75.

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.