Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees Nurseries Ltd; Chester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Chester is looking for an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified) to support children's development in a nurturing environment. Candidates should have a passion for working with children, and no formal qualifications are necessary though prior experience is beneficial. This role offers competitive salary and various benefits including career progression and generous holidays. Join our team and help create a positive early years experience for children in our care.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Discounts across retailers

Up to 28 days holiday

Birthday off

Enhanced family leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required, but experience in early years settings is beneficial.
• Passion for working with children and supporting their development.

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

Understanding child development

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

About Our Team

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 Chester Hopscotch is an Ofsted-rated "Outstanding" nursery with a capacity of 76 children, providing a warm and welcoming environment where your child can learn, make friends, and have fun. The nursery features multiple childcare rooms decorated in soft, soothing colors and equipped with excellent resources. With a secure garden space at the back, children can enjoy outdoor play, including an obstacle course that allows them to take risks and challenge themselves in a safe, supervised setting. Conveniently located about a mile and a half from Chester city centre and the Blacon council estate, the nursery is easily accessible by car via the A540 on Parkgate Road, and by bus, with a stop just a five‑minute walk away served by route 22. Free parking is available for staff.

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)

You'll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive - offering huge array of retail discounts to help your money 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.

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!