At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fun outdoor learning sessions for children aged 3-5 in a magical forest setting.
- Company: Join a nurturing nursery that values creativity and exploration.
- Benefits: Enjoy free childcare, 31 days holiday, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Inspire young minds while enjoying the great outdoors every day.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and Forest School Leader certification required.
The predicted salary is between 28912 - 28912 € per year.
Join Our Team as a Forest School Lead! Do you love muddy puddles, den building, bug hunting, and watching children discover the magic of nature? We’re looking for an enthusiastic Early Years Forest School Lead to inspire our youngest explorers through exciting outdoor learning experiences. If you believe childhood should include climbing trees, storytelling around a fire circle, and learning through curiosity and play, we’d love to hear from you!
Working with children aged 3–5, you’ll lead engaging Forest School sessions that support learning through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) while helping children grow in confidence, independence, and resilience.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us:
- Childcare Perks: Free childcare for the first month and 52% discount (based on working hours) to support your family.
- Holiday and Celebrations: 31 days of holiday (inclusive of national bank holidays and the Christmas closure week), plus your birthday off!
- Career Development: Access to The National College full of training and courses.
- Exclusive Discounts & Wellbeing Support: Enjoy Perkbox discounts, wellbeing tools, and online medical services.
- Recognition & Rewards: Refer a friend or family for exciting bonuses and celebrate milestones with long-service awards.
- Volunteer Day: 1 paid day off per year to volunteer and give back to the community.
Pay: up to £28,912 per annum depending on experience (based on 40 hours)
Working Hours: Monday to Friday - 38-40 hours over 5 days
Location: Little Green Rascals Children's Day Nursery & Out of School Club Bishopthorpe, Old School House, Bishopthorpe, North Yorkshire, YO23 2RE
About our Nursery: Based in a charming listed former school building opposite Bishopthorpe library, our nursery boasts four beautiful rooms, each lovingly restored to preserve their original features. Outside our nursery, we offer three beautiful gardens and onsite Forest School. We have a home from home feel and strive to create an enabling environment that our Rascals thrive in. As part of our ethos all of our food is organic and made daily on site by our kitchen team to provide healthy and fresh meals for both the children and staff. We also have our own Out of School and Holiday Club attached to our local school which has various arts and crafts activities for children to enjoy along with plenty of outdoor adventures to keep children engaged! We also have our very own Nursery dog; Mabel who is training to be a Therapy dog for children. She does two days a week and loves snuggles with both the Staff and the children!
What Your Role Involves - Key Responsibilities:
- Forest School Delivery: Plan and deliver engaging Forest School sessions for early years children following recognised Forest School principles. Create a safe, stimulating, and inclusive outdoor learning environment. Encourage exploration, child-led learning, and risk-managed play. Adapt activities to meet the developmental needs of individual children.
- Curriculum and Learning: Link Forest School experiences with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Support children’s development in communication, physical development, problem-solving, and emotional wellbeing through outdoor learning.
- Safety and Risk Management: Conduct and review risk assessments for outdoor activities and the woodland site. Ensure safe use of tools, natural materials, and equipment when appropriate. Maintain safeguarding and health and safety standards in line with setting policies.
- Environment and Resources: Maintain the Forest School area and ensure resources are safe, sustainable, and well organised. Promote respect for the natural environment and sustainable practices. Develop the outdoor learning space to support year-round learning.
- Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with early years staff to embed outdoor learning across the setting. Support and mentor colleagues in delivering outdoor learning activities. Communicate with parents about the benefits of Forest School and children’s experiences.
- Administration: Keep accurate records of sessions, observations, and risk assessments. Ensure compliance with safeguarding, first aid, and outdoor learning policies. Contribute to planning, evaluation, and development of the Forest School programme.
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
- Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education or equivalent.
- Recognised Forest School Leader Level 3 qualification.
- Experience working with children aged 3–5.
- Experience planning and delivering outdoor learning sessions.
- Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
Ready to make a difference? Apply today – we can't wait to hear from you!
The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and verification of your right to work in the UK and any essential qualifications. If successful, our recruitment and compliance team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to ensure fairness and accessibility for all candidates.
Forest School Practitioner in Bishopthorpe employer: The Old Station Nursery
At Little Green Rascals Children's Day Nursery, we pride ourselves on fostering a nurturing and inspiring environment for both our staff and the children in our care. With generous benefits such as free childcare for the first month, 31 days of holiday, and access to extensive career development resources, we ensure our team feels valued and supported. Our unique setting in a charming former school building, combined with our commitment to organic food and outdoor learning, creates a truly rewarding workplace where you can make a meaningful impact on young lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forest School Practitioner in Bishopthorpe
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a stroll around the area or check out their social media. Understanding their vibe and values will help you connect during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for outdoor learning! Bring examples of how you've engaged children in nature-based activities. Whether it’s bug hunting or den building, let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss EYFS! Brush up on how Forest School principles link with the Early Years Foundation Stage. This shows you’re not just about fun but also about fostering development.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Forest School Practitioner in Bishopthorpe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Nature:When writing your application, let your love for the outdoors shine through! Share experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for muddy puddles, bug hunting, and all things nature-related. We want to see how you inspire children to explore the great outdoors!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your qualifications in Early Years Education and any relevant Forest School training. This shows us you’re serious about the role and understand what we’re looking for.
Be Yourself:We’re all about authenticity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. Share anecdotes or stories that showcase your approach to outdoor learning and how you connect with children. We want to get to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website:For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Old Station Nursery
✨Know Your Forest School Principles
Before the interview, brush up on the key principles of Forest School. Be ready to discuss how you would create a safe and stimulating outdoor learning environment that encourages exploration and child-led learning. This shows your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Connect with the EYFS Framework
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and think about how you can link your Forest School sessions to it. Prepare examples of how you've supported children's development in communication, physical skills, and emotional wellbeing through outdoor activities.
✨Showcase Your Risk Management Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience with risk assessments and safety management in outdoor settings. Think of specific instances where you ensured the safe use of tools and natural materials, as this will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high safety standards.
✨Engage with Team Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with other staff members. Share examples of how you've mentored colleagues or communicated effectively with parents about outdoor learning benefits. This will show that you're not just a great practitioner but also a team player.
