Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting outdoor sessions for children aged 0-5 in a natural woodland setting.
- Company: Join Tops Day Nurseries, a certified World’s Happiest Workplace 2025.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, childcare discounts, flexible hours, and 30 days paid holiday.
- Other info: Be part of an employee-owned company with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Inspire a love of nature while developing children's skills through engaging outdoor activities.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years Qualification and experience with young children required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
Job type: Full Time Permanent
Salary: ÂŁ14.88 Hour
Contracted Hours: 30 hours per week
“Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions. These include staff nominations on the 'Each Person Scheme' and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements.” OFSTED recent feedback
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
- Annual Bonus Scheme: Share in our success with annual profit-based bonuses each May, as part of our Employee-Owned Company model.
- Childcare Discount: Up to 60% off childcare at our nurseries to help you balance work and family life.
- Flexible Working Options: Compressed hours can earn you up to 48 extra days off annually, or 24 extra days if you work nine days across two weeks — on top of your regular holiday.
- Certified World’s Happiest Workplace 2025: Recognised for our focus on employee well-being, positive culture, and career growth.
- 30 Days Paid Holiday: Includes 28 days annual leave plus 2 extra days — one for your birthday (or a special day of your choice), and one for your wellbeing.
- Free Meals: Enjoy free, freshly prepared breakfasts daily to keep you energised.
- Employee Recognition: Blue Light Card access for savings on shopping, dining, and more.
- Reward Platform (Each Person): Discounts on gyms, cinemas, Cycle2Work, GP on-demand, supermarket cashback, and employee of the month rewards.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: Help with NHS prescriptions, optical care, and dental treatment.
- Career Development: Access to training and advancement opportunities to grow your career.
- Travel & Parking Support: Interest-free loan of up to ÂŁ500 for travel or parking season tickets.
About The Role
As a Forest School Lead, you will be responsible for planning, delivering, and leading exciting outdoor sessions for children aged 0-5 in a natural, woodland setting. You will inspire a love of nature, encourage outdoor exploration, and support the development of children’s physical, social, and cognitive skills through engaging and creative outdoor activities.
About The Nursery
Tops Newport Nursery is a 92 place Day Nursery & Pre-School situated in Isle of Wight, Newport. The nursery runs several extra-curricular activities including Before and after school clubs, Forest School, cooking school, Boogie Mites, yoga, tooth brushing, football fun and much more!
What does the role involve?
- Planning and delivering Forest School sessions that align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
- Creating a safe, engaging, and stimulating outdoor learning environment.
- Encouraging children to explore nature, take calculated risks, and develop confidence, independence, and teamwork skills.
- Supervising children during outdoor activities, ensuring safety and managing risk assessments.
- Promoting sustainability and environmental awareness through nature-based education.
- Working closely with nursery staff and parents to support children’s individual learning and development.
What are we looking for?
- A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
- Have a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures.
- Experience working with young children in an outdoor or nursery setting.
- A strong understanding of the Forest School ethos and outdoor learning principles.
- A passion for outdoor education and a commitment to promoting nature-based play.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in a team.
- Enthusiasm, creativity, and the ability to inspire children in an outdoor environment.
Why Tops Day Nurseries?
We are a leading early education and childcare provider in South England, established in 1990. We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility by educating today’s children to influence future generations. We value respect, open communication, and teamwork, fostering a positive, purpose-driven work environment.
As an Employee-Owned Company, our colleagues are co-owners, benefiting from the company’s growth through annual profit-sharing bonuses. We’re also proud to rank 9th in the 2024 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK, offering career development from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships to Nursery Manager or Early Years Teacher.
All candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS which is on the update service. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. You should not apply if you are on the Children’s Barred List.
Forest School Lead in Newport employer: Tops Day Nurseries
Contact Detail:
Tops Day Nurseries Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Forest School Lead in Newport
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a stroll around the area or check out their social media. This way, you can drop in some personal insights during your chat, showing them you're genuinely interested in their mission and values.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your outdoor education pitch! Think about how you can inspire kids through nature-based play. Prepare a few examples of activities you’d love to lead, and be ready to share your passion for the Forest School ethos during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current employees if you can! Reach out on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. They might give you insider tips on what the nursery values most in candidates, which can help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of our community right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace Forest School Lead in Newport
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 outdoor education and how you inspire children to explore nature.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Forest School Lead role. Mention your understanding of the Forest School ethos and how it aligns with your teaching style.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to showcase your experience working with young children, especially in outdoor settings. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to create engaging and safe learning environments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tops Day Nurseries
✨Know Your Forest School Ethos
Make sure you understand the principles of the Forest School ethos. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire children through outdoor learning and how you plan to create a safe, engaging environment for them.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences working with young children, especially in outdoor settings. Highlight any creative activities you've led that align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
Since you'll be working closely with nursery staff and parents, demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others to support children's development and ensure safety during activities.
✨Passion for Nature-Based Education
Let your enthusiasm for outdoor education shine through. Discuss why you believe nature-based play is essential for children's growth and how you plan to promote sustainability and environmental awareness in your sessions.