Unqualified Nursery Practitioner

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

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the UK is seeking an Early Years Assistant to join their team in Braintree. You will create a positive environment for children while receiving on-the-job training from experienced team members. No formal qualifications are necessary, but a passion for working with children is essential. This role offers competitive benefits including a professional development plan and discounts on childcare, making it an excellent opportunity to start your career in early childhood education.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Discounts across retailers

Up to 28 days holiday

25% childcare discount

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required, though experience in early years settings is beneficial.
• A passion for working with children and a willingness to learn.
• Empathy and understanding – every child is unique.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of educational activities and engage with children to foster development.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and stimulating learning environment.
• Promote inclusivity and diversity in your care for all children.
• Work with a dedicated team to provide the best learning experiences.

Skills

Passion for working with children

Good communication skills

Team-working skills

Job description

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

As an Early Years Assistant at Busy Bees, you’ll play a vital role in creating a positive and engaging environment for children. This is an exciting opportunity to begin your journey in the early years sector, where you will receive on‑the‑job training and support from experienced team members, helping you to grow and develop your skills in a nurturing and dynamic 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!
• 25% childcare discount
• 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

• Support the delivery of educational activities and engage with children to foster development.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and stimulating learning environment.
• Promote inclusivity and diversity in your care for all children.
• Work with a dedicated team to provide the best learning experiences.

Ideal Candidate

• No formal qualifications required, though experience in early years settings is beneficial.
• A passion for working with children and a willingness to learn.
• Empathy and understanding – every child is unique.
• Good communication and team‑working skills.

Start your rewarding career in early childhood education today—apply now!