Job Description – Forest School Leader
Location: Nature's Little Learners, Hornbeam Park Contract: Full-time Reports to: Nursery Manager Hours: 32.5 per week across 5 days
About Us
Nature's Little Learners is a private, family-run day nursery set within a nurturing and homely environment. Just minutes from our nursery, we have access to our own private Forest School site at Hornbeam Park. Our approach blends high-quality childcare with the Forest School ethos, enabling children to explore, discover, and thrive through outdoor learning and play in a safe, inspiring, and natural environment.
Role Purpose
We are seeking a passionate, motivated, and qualified Forest School Leader to deliver engaging, inspiring, and safe Forest School sessions for children aged 0–5 years. The Forest School Leader will nurture children's natural curiosity, encourage independence, and support their holistic development by providing rich outdoor experiences in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Key Responsibilities
Forest School Practice & Curriculum
* Plan, lead, and evaluate Forest School sessions that support children's learning and development from birth to 5 years, ensuring activities are age-appropriate, inclusive, and child-led.
* Create opportunities for sensory exploration for babies and toddlers, such as nature walks, tactile play with natural materials, and observing seasonal changes.
* Encourage physical development in young children through climbing, balancing, den building, and free movement in natural spaces.
* Support early language and communication by using songs, storytelling, and rich vocabulary linked to the outdoors.
* Foster children's confidence, resilience, and independence by introducing safe risk-taking and problem-solving through hands-on woodland experiences.
* Link outdoor learning with the EYFS curriculum, promoting all areas of development (personal, social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative).
Safety & Care
* Carry out daily and ongoing risk assessments of the Forest School site, tools, and activities.
* Ensure activities are safe, age-appropriate, and adaptable to children with additional needs.
* Supervise and model safe use of tools and natural resources, teaching respect and care for both materials and the environment.
* Promote good hygiene, comfort, and wellbeing outdoors, ensuring babies and younger children's needs are met (feeding, nappy changes, rest times).
* Ensure safeguarding, health, and welfare procedures are always followed.
Engagement & Relationships
* Work closely with nursery staff to integrate Forest School learning into the wider nursery experience.
* Support children's social and emotional development by fostering teamwork, friendships, and respect for others in outdoor settings.
* Build trusting and supportive relationships with children, recognising and valuing their individual strengths and needs.
* Communicate effectively with parents, sharing children's progress, experiences, and achievements at Forest School.
Environment & Resources
* Maintain and develop the Forest School site, ensuring it remains safe, stimulating, and inspiring.
* Source, prepare, and care for natural and sustainable resources and tools.
* Encourage respect for nature, teaching children about sustainability, wildlife, and caring for the environment.
Qualifications and Experience
* Forest School Leader Level 3 qualification (essential).
* Experience working with young children (0–5 years) in an Early Years setting.
* Understanding of child development and the EYFS framework.
* Paediatric First Aid qualification (or willingness to complete).
* Confident in delivering Forest School activities to a wide age range, including babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
* Knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety procedures in outdoor learning environments.
Personal Qualities
* Warm, caring, and nurturing, with a genuine passion for working with young children.
* Enthusiastic about the outdoors, nature, and sustainability.
* Creative and resourceful in adapting activities for different ages and abilities.
* Confident in supporting children to take safe risks, explore independently, and develop resilience.
* A strong communicator and team player with excellent organisational skills.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £24,505.00 per year
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Employee discount
* On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Harrogate HG2 8PB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person