At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and extend children's learning in a vibrant indoor and outdoor environment.
- Company: Outstanding nursery committed to fostering a love for learning in children aged 2.5 to 5.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, holiday pay, staff discounts, and uniform allowance.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and inspire young minds in a unique forest school setting.
- Qualifications: Level 3 early years qualification and experience with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and training in forest school practices.
Please note that this vacancy is not part of Surrey County Council; we are advertising this on behalf of a partnership organisation. The salary range for this role is £12.45 to £13.00 per hour based on a 16 hour working week.
About The Organisation
We are a small sessional nursery rated outstanding by Ofsted, offering the highest standard of care and education to children aged 2.5 to 5. Our driving aim is to foster a love for learning, independence, and high self-esteem through exciting experiences, explorations, and opportunities that we provide outdoors, indoors, and in our surrounding woodland during our Forest School sessions. We make full use of our outdoor environment both within our nursery grounds and in the woodland surrounding our setting throughout the year, whatever the weather; therefore, any candidate should have a love for and commitment to learning outdoors.
If you are committed to supporting and developing children’s learning in both outdoor and indoor environments, if you are keen, enthusiastic, motivated, and reliable, then this is the role for you!
About The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a wonderful and natural environment with a unique setting and be a part of an experienced and family team. We are a term time setting and offer statutory holiday pay, with up to 1 week of this being able to be taken during term time. We offer a small staff discount on nursery fees and a small uniform allowance. Admin time is given for collating children’s observations and learning journeys.
Peter Pan Nursery and Forest School is committed to the safeguarding of all children; therefore, all appointments are subject to receiving an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service which we consider acceptable as well as appropriate references.
In this role, you will work within the nursery/forest school team planning for, supporting, and extending children’s learning both indoors and outdoors, within the nursery environment and out in our surrounding woodland. You will be expected to work with the key person system, keeping observations and making assessments on children’s learning and progress. You will develop strong working relationships with your team and with the families of the children under our care. You will work within safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing are paramount. As part of your role and with the nursery team, you will work with children with a wide range of learning needs and be able to plan learning experiences and strategies accordingly under the guidance of the setting Curriculum Lead and the Senco.
About You
With a minimum of a level 3 full and relevant early years or childcare qualification, you will need to have experience of meeting the requirements of Early Years Foundation Stage and highly value your own continued professional development. A forest school qualification is preferable; however, a candidate with some experience of working outdoors with children who is willing to undertake forest school training once in role would be considered. We recommend any potential candidate makes a visit to the setting prior to making an application.
The close date for this role is 30.06.2026, and interviews will be offered to suitable candidates as applications come in, so it is recommended that you apply early to avoid disappointment.
To apply for this role, please email team@peterpan-littlewick.co.uk or phone 01483 799838.
Early Years Practitioner / Forest school Leader in Woking employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner / Forest school Leader in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery before applying! We recommend visiting the setting to see if it feels right for you. It’s a great way to show your enthusiasm and commitment to working in that unique environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current staff or others in the field. We can’t stress enough how valuable connections can be. They might give you insider tips on what the team values most in a candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for outdoor learning! When you get the chance to chat with the team, share your experiences and ideas about fostering children's love for nature and exploration.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for enthusiastic candidates who are ready to jump into this exciting role.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner / Forest school Leader in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Outdoor Learning: Make sure to highlight your love for outdoor education in your application. We want to see how you can inspire children to explore and learn in nature, so share any relevant experiences or ideas you have!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Early Years Practitioner role. We appreciate when candidates show they’ve done their homework.
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through in your written application. We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals, so don’t be afraid to express your unique approach to working with children!
Apply Early!: Since we review applications as they come in, it’s best to apply early to increase your chances of landing an interview. Head over to our website and get your application in before the closing date!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Outdoor Learning
Since this role is all about fostering a love for learning outdoors, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of outdoor education and Forest School principles. Be ready to share any relevant experiences you've had working with children in natural settings.
✨Show Your Passion for Child Development
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for supporting children's learning and development. Prepare examples of how you've previously engaged with children, especially in both indoor and outdoor environments, and how you’ve tailored activities to meet their needs.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Setting
We recommend visiting the nursery before your interview. This will not only give you a feel for the environment but also allow you to ask informed questions about their approach to early years education and the specific challenges they face.
✨Prepare for Safeguarding Questions
Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, be prepared to discuss your understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. Think of scenarios where you’ve had to ensure children's safety and wellbeing, and be ready to explain how you would handle similar situations.