Relief Nursery Practitioner Level 3

Busy Bees In Portishead; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Maidstone is seeking a Level 3 Qualified Early Years Assistant to deliver outstanding care and education. You will assist in planning activities and create an inclusive environment while fostering strong relationships with families. Ideal candidates will have a Level 3 qualification and experience working with children under 5. Enjoy a supportive setting with competitive benefits, including up to 28 days holiday and 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.
• Ability to track and report on children's progress.
• Experience working in a nursery setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and delivering educational activities.
• Create a safe and stimulating learning environment.
• Foster strong partnerships with children and families.

Skills

Empathy and understanding

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Level 3 qualification in early years education

Job description

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

Maidstone Ragstone House, rated Good by Ofsted, is a small and friendly nursery with a capacity of 52 children, situated in a charming converted house across two floors in a listed building. Our nursery features convenient parking facilities and is ideally located near the train station with easy access to bus routes. Nestled in a semi‑rural setting, we have close links to local schools, fostering community connections. We also offer free parking for staff, ensuring convenient access to our welcoming environment.

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 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.

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!