Atelierista - £1000 welcome bonus!

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries; Horsham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

International learning experiences

80% childcare discount

Collaborative leadership

Specialist ateliers

Job summary

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries invites applications for an Atelierista to nurture children’s creativity through artistic exploration and sensory-rich experiences in a child-led setting. You will collaborate with educators, families, and children to foster curiosity, experimentation, and imaginative play.

Ideal candidates bring a deep respect for children as capable learners, a background in art/design, and a passion for multimodal expression, with a strong commitment to

Qualifications

• Understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach and the Atelier role
• Background in fine art, design, or related creative discipline
• Experience working with young children in an educational setting
• Passion for multimodal expression, material exploration, and hands-on learning
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills
• Commitment to co-researching with children and educators
• Excitement for outdoor learning, creative risk-taking, and interdisciplinary projects

Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate artistic experiences that encourage self-expression and discovery
• Curate and care for the Atelier, ensuring materials are accessible, purposeful, and inspiring
• Collaborate with educators to embed creativity across the curriculum
• Observe and document children’s creative processes, making learning visible
• Support long-term project work, enabling deep exploration of ideas and materials
• Encourage experimentation with a wide range of artistic media and techniques
• Engage families and the wider community in the creative life of the nursery
• Champion inquiry, reflection, and artistic innovation throughout the setting

Job description

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries | Full time

Horsham, United Kingdom | Posted on 09/03/2026

We are an award-winning nursery group celebrated for our inspiring environments and deeply child-led approach to early education. Recognised with Nursery World’s Enabling Environments Award 2024and formerly named UK Nursery Group of the Year 2020, we are proud to offer a rich, meaningful learning experience rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and an emergent curriculum.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and reflectiveAtelieristato nurture children’s creativity through artistic exploration and sensory-rich experiences. This role is ideal for someone who values child-led inquiry, collaborative learning, and the expressive power of materials. Working closely with educators, children, and families, you will help cultivate a culture where curiosity, experimentation, and imagination are celebrated every day.

About You

You will bring both creative expertise and a deep respect for children as capable learners. You will ideally have:

• A strong understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach and the role of the Atelier
  
• A background in fine art, design, or a related creative discipline
  
• Experience working with young children in an educational setting
  
• A passion for multimodal expression, material exploration, and hands‑on learning
  
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills
  
• A commitment to co‑researching alongside children and educators
  
• Enthusiasm for outdoor learning, creative risk‑taking, and interdisciplinary projects
  

Key Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate artistic experiences that encourage self‑expression and discovery
  
• Curate and care for the Atelier, ensuring materials are accessible, purposeful, and inspiring
  
• Collaborate with educators to embed creativity across the curriculum
  
• Observe and document children’s creative processes, making learning visible
  
• Support long‑term project work, enabling deep exploration of ideas and materials
  
• Encourage experimentation with a wide range of artistic media and techniques
  
• Engage families and the wider community in the creative life of the nursery
  
• Champion inquiry, reflection, and artistic innovation throughout the setting
  

Why Join Us?

We believe innurturing educators as well as children, offering a supportive and inspiring workplace where creativity and professional growth are prioritised. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salaryof up to£33,000 per year
  
• Extensive professional development, including paid training and study trips
  
• Opportunities for international learning experiences
  
• 80% childcare discountfor team members
  
• Acollaborative and supportive leadership team
  
• Purpose-designed learning environments, including dedicated Ateliers and access to professional artists
  

Additional Information

• A strong commitment to safeguarding is essential
  
• Anenhanced DBS checkand suitable references will be required