Relief Nursery Practitioner Level 3

Busy Bees In Portishead; St Albans; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in St Albans is seeking a Level 3 Qualified Early Years Assistant to deliver outstanding care and education to children. You will support the Bee Curious curriculum and mentor unqualified team members in a nurturing environment. The ideal candidate has a Level 3 qualification in early years education and experience working with children under 5. Join us for competitive salary, professional development, and a very supportive workplace culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development and career progression

Annual leave up to 28 days

Birthday off

Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and delivering educational activities that promote children's development.
• Create a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment.
• Track and report on children's progress through observations and assessments.

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

Join our enthusiastic team at Busy Bees in St Albans Bernard Street, an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 63 children. Our longstanding staff are dedicated to providing the best possible start in life for every child, building strong relationships with local schools and food banks to support our community. Located just a 20-minute walk from the city station and a 10-minute stroll from the local shopping centre, our nursery offers convenient access for families and staff. We provide free parking to ensure ease of access. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop your career in early childhood education within a passionate and community-oriented 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!