Published: 10/02/2026
Busy Bees, the UK’s leading early years education provider, has announced plans to recruit over 500 new apprentices across the UK, marking a significant investment in the sector and reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the future pipeline of early years talent.
As part of its ongoing recruitment drive, Busy Bees is actively recruiting 500 new apprentices nationwide, building on its existing cohort of over 1,100 apprentices in training across more than 357 nurseries throughout the UK.
This year alone, the company plans to further increase apprentice recruitment, supporting the government’s early agenda and addressing the growing demand for high-quality early years professionals.
Busy Bees’ dedication to investing in the future of early years has been nationally recognised, with the company ranked in the top five of two of the country’s most prestigious apprenticeship rankings: The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025 and the Department for Education. These accolades reinforce its reputation as a trailblazer in apprenticeship excellence and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of early years educators.
The new early years education apprentice roles will be based at Busy Bees’ centres across the UK, offering candidates the chance to work towards a Level 2, 3 or 5 qualification in Childcare and Education.
All candidates will gain practical experience with a guaranteed job following successful completion of their training, including excellent employee benefits such as enhanced family leave, discounted childcare, and above National Minimum Wage rates of pay for apprentices.
Emma Langford, European People Director at Busy Bees, said: “Our apprenticeship programme reflects the culture we’re so proud of at Busy Bees – one that is rooted in investing in our people and nurturing future talent.
“We welcome ambitious individuals who want to build a career in early years while making a meaningful difference to children’s lives. Our apprentices play a vital role in shaping children’s formative years, and we’re incredibly proud of their dedication, professionalism and commitment to supporting children’s learning and development.”
Apprentices will also have the chance to be a part of teaching Busy Bees’ Bee Curious curriculum, the UK’s only independently evaluated early years curriculum which has been designed to feed children’s natural curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Emily Mellors, recently achieved her Level 2 in Childcare, and joined Busy Bees as an apprentice in September 2024, said: “I chose to do an apprenticeship at Busy Bees as I’ve always had a passion for working with children since I was a little girl. I love watching the children grow in confidence and come into a happy setting.
“I recommend doing an early years apprenticeship because it gives you hands-on experience from the very start, helping you build real skills while you learn. It also helps you grow in confidence, communication, and responsibility early on, while earning and gaining a qualification at the same time. An apprenticeship can open doors to long-term career opportunities and gives you a strong foundation for working in early years or progressing into further education later on. I’m excited to keep on developing my skills with Busy Bees and giving children the best start in life.”
To learn more about working at Busy Bees and view its current vacancies including apprenticeship opportunities, please click here.