Relief Nursery Practitioner Level 3

Busy Bees Childcare; Colney; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Colney seeks a Level 3 Qualified Early Years Assistant to deliver outstanding care and education to children. You will be integral in supporting the development of the Bee Curious curriculum and mentoring unqualified team members. Ideal for passionate individuals eager for greater responsibility in a supportive setting. Competitive salary and a range of benefits included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Ongoing professional development

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience working with children under 5.
• Previous experience as Early Years Educator, Nursery Practitioner or similar.
• Ability to create a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and delivering educational activities.
• Track and report on children’s progress.
• Take on the role of Key Person to foster partnerships with families.

Skills

Strong communication

Organisational skills

Empathy and understanding

Education

Level 3 qualification in early years education

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees

Leading Nursery Group in the UK.

As a Level 3 Qualified Early Years Assistant, you'll be at the forefront of delivering outstanding care and education to children at Busy Bees. Your expertise will play a key role in supporting the development of our Bee Curious curriculum, while guiding and mentoring unqualified team members. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about early years education and are looking to take on greater responsibility in a thriving and supportive setting.

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 offers fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children’s lives.

About our Nursery

Join our dedicated team at Busy Bees in Norwich Hospital, an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 118 children. Our nursery has a strong community connection, with 60% of our parents being hospital staff and many longstanding team members, some of whom have their own children enrolled. We prioritize well‑being and have recently refurbished our garden to enhance outdoor play. We also provide information about community activities available at the nursery to encourage family involvement. Located on the hospital site, we benefit from a bus service that stops just a two‑minute walk away. Staff enjoy free lunch and parking, with flexible options for working four long days and an additional day off, depending on staffing needs during recruitment. This is a wonderful opportunity to advance your career in a supportive and community‑focused environment.

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)
• You’ll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive – offering huge array 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.
• A dedicated Grow with Us area sharing the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

What to Expect as a Relief Early Years Educator

• Assist in planning and delivering educational activities that promote children’s development.
• Create a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment.
• Take on the role of Key Person, fostering strong partnerships with children and their families.
• Track and report on children’s progress through observations and assessments.

Ideal Candidate

• Level 3 qualification in early years education.
• Experience working with children under 5.
• Empathy and understanding – each child is unique.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• You may have previous experience working with children, ideally as an Early Years Educator, Nursery Practitioner, Nursery Assistant or Nursery Nurse.

Start your rewarding career in early childhood education today – apply now!