Relief Nursery Practitioner

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

Join our outstanding team at Busy Bees in Chelmsford, an Ofsted-rated Outstanding nursery with a capacity of 99 children. Our longstanding staff, along with new team members, foster a collaborative environment that values growth and development. We offer excellent progression potential, including apprenticeship opportunities, to help you advance your career. Our staff room is equipped with tea and coffee facilities, along with a kettle and microwave for your convenience. Enjoy regular outings to local parks, including Central Park and the duck pond, enhancing children's learning experiences. Located just a five-minute walk from Chelmsford Town, the train station, and the bus station, our nursery is also next to local shops and Virgin Gym. We provide free parking for our staff and offer a flexible four-day working week with 40 hours, making this a fantastic opportunity to thrive in early childhood education within a supportive and vibrant community.

Busy Bees Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our 'Hive' benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a wide 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 a wide range of retail discounts and a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health.

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.

Get started in early years education with Busy Bees - apply now!