Relief Nursery Practitioner Level 2

Busy Bees In Portishead; Braintree; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the UK is seeking a Level 2 Qualified Early Years Assistant in Braintree. In this role, you will support children's development through play-based learning in a nurturing environment. The position offers opportunities for professional development and a variety of benefits, including competitive salaries and flexible working conditions. If you have a passion for early childhood education and a Level 2 qualification, apply today to advance your career in a rewarding setting.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Up to 28 days holiday

Your birthday off

Enhanced family leave

Menopause support

Financial support

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience working with children under 5.
• Previous experience as an Early Years Educator, Nursery Practitioner, Nursery Assistant or Nursery Nurse is preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Empathy and understanding

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Level 2 qualification in early years education

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Take the next step in your career with Busy Bees as a Level 2 Qualified Early Years Assistant. Bring your experience and qualification to a nurturing environment, where you’ll support children’s development through play‑based learning and activities. This role offers the chance to further develop your skills in early childhood education while enjoying the benefits of a rewarding and flexible work environment.

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 remarkable team at Busy Bees in Braintree Great Notley, an Ofsted‑rated Outstanding nursery with a capacity of 104 children. Our longstanding team is dedicated to providing exceptional care in a nurturing environment, supported by our triple Outstanding rating. We feature a large garden, perfect for outdoor exploration and play. Ideally situated in a village location, we offer easy links to Chelmsford, Bishop’s Stortford, and Stansted, ensuring convenient access for staff and families. Additionally, we provide free parking for our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in early childhood education within a supportive and high‑quality setting.

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)

Enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive – offering a 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 showcases the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area shares 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 2 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!