Relief Nursery Practitioner

Role Overview

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.

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.

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.

Busy Bees Bicester Kingsmere, rated Good by Ofsted, is a purpose-built nursery that opened in 2018, accommodating up to 110 children. Our dedicated team actively involves parents in their children’s development, ensuring they receive the best start in life. We invite local artists to collaborate with us, creating beautiful pieces for the children during the Christmas season. Conveniently located near two bus stops and a variety of amenities, we also offer free parking for staff, making access to our nurturing environment easy and convenient for families and educators alike.

• 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)
• Hive platform with retail discounts and wellbeing hub resources
• A Celebrating You section showcasing our ways to recognise and reward team members
• Grow with Us area with development opportunities and training

• 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

• 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!