Relief Nursery Practitioner Level 3

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

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the UK is seeking a Level 3 Qualified Early Years Assistant to support the delivery of outstanding care and education. You will create a safe learning environment, assist in planning activities, and build partnerships with children and their families. The ideal candidate has a Level 3 qualification in early years education and experience with children under 5, along with strong communication skills. This role offers competitive salary and numerous benefits, including professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

28 days holiday per year

Birthday off

Enhanced family leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience working with children under 5 is essential.
• Ability to foster strong partnerships with children and families.
• Track and report on children's progress through observations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and delivering educational activities.
• Create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
• Take on the role of Key Person.

Skills

Empathy and understanding

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Level 3 qualification in early years education

Job description

Overview

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, we offer fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children's lives.

About our Nursery

Join our dedicated team at Busy Bees in Chafford Hundred, Drake Road, an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 98 children. Our longstanding staff team is committed to providing quality care in a nurturing environment, situated in a quiet village that offers a peaceful atmosphere for children to thrive. We are easily accessible from the M25 and A13, making it convenient for staff to reach us. With a bus service linking to Lakeside and Chafford Hundred station, we are just a five-minute drive from the C2C line into London. We also offer free parking for our team, making this an excellent opportunity to advance your career in early childhood education within a supportive and friendly community.

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)

We also offer access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive, featuring a wide range of retail discounts and a Wellbeing Hub with resources to support physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section recognises and rewards our valued team members, and a Grow with Us area shares development opportunities and training designed to help you thrive 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!