At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting outdoor sessions for children aged 0-5 in a woodland setting.
- Company: Join a leading early education provider focused on sustainability and employee well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, childcare discounts, flexible hours, and 30 days paid holiday.
- Other info: Be part of an Employee-Owned Company with excellent 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 £ per year.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
Job type: Full Time Permanent
Salary: £14.88 Hour
Contracted Hours: 30 hours per week
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 £500 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.
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. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. 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.
OB- 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 OB- Forest School Lead in Newport
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out their social media and website to see what they value. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. The more comfortable you are with your responses, the more confident you'll feel during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Bring your A-game! Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your interest in the role and helps you figure out if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace OB- 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’ve inspired 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 Level 3 Early Years Qualification and any relevant experience with young children in outdoor settings.
Highlight Teamwork Skills: We value collaboration, so don’t forget to mention your ability to work well in a team. Share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues or parents to support children's learning and development.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
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 promote their development in a natural setting.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences working with young children, especially in outdoor or nursery settings. Highlight any creative activities you've led that align with the EYFS curriculum.
✨Emphasise Safety and Risk Management
Be prepared to talk about how you ensure safety during outdoor activities. Discuss your understanding of risk assessments and how you encourage children to explore while managing risks effectively.
✨Communicate Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for outdoor education shine through. Share why you love working in nature and how you plan to instil that same passion in the children you'll be leading.