Relief Nursery Practitioner

Busy Bees In Portishead; Swindon; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A nursery group in Swindon is seeking an Early Years Assistant (Unqualified) to join their team. This role offers the chance to gain valuable experience in early childhood education while working in a supportive environment focused on children's growth and development. Responsibilities include assisting with educational activities and ensuring the safety and welfare of children. No formal qualifications are required, making this an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about making a difference in young lives. Apply now to start your career in education.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Annual leave up to 28 days

Birthday off

Enhanced family leave

Menopause support

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required; prior experience in early years settings is beneficial.
• Empathy and understanding as 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

Passion for working with children

Empathy and understanding

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 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 Swindon Peatmoor, rated Good by Ofsted, has a capacity of 100 children and features a longstanding staff team, with some members having been with Busy Bees for over 15 years. Our passionate team consistently strives to provide the best start in life for our children through a variety of educational programs, including UP, a toilet training program, UP and Active with Buzz, the School program, Busy Hands, and the Bee Curious curriculum. We also implement a "Sign of the Week" initiative and maintain a good ratio of qualified staff, including a Level 6 practitioner. Our nursery offers large outdoor areas specific to each age group, and we engage parents through regular events such as parent evenings, stay-and-plays, and tea parties. Notably, we celebrate a harvest festival each October, donating to our local food bank, and organize outings and community walks. We host open days where local businesses are invited, and parents with specific occupations are welcomed to share their knowledge with the children. Conveniently located near a bus stop just a minute's walk away and next to a convenience shop, we are also close to picturesque lake and woodland walk areas. We offer free parking for staff, along with a work anniversary acknowledgment program, a LOVE voucher/staff shout-out scheme, and staff discounts for childcare, creating a supportive and rewarding environment for our team.

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.

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!