Forest School Leader

Childbase Partnership; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Work-life balance days

Family childcare savings

Staff discounts

Wellbeing support

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Childbase Partnership's Willows Day Nursery in Stoke Mandeville is seeking a Forest School Leader to nurture outdoor learning and EYFS development. Permanent contract, 37.5–40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year, with varied shifts 07:30–18:30.

You will hold a DfE approved early years qualification at level 3+ and a forest school certificate, enabling you to plan engaging activities, safeguard children, and collaborate with families and colleagues.

Qualifications

• DfE approved early years qualification at level 3 or above and forest school qualification.
• Experience as forest school practitioner using EYFS as a Key Person to plan and implement activities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver high quality outdoor learning activities.
• Safeguard every child and promote wellbeing.
• Collaborate with parents and colleagues to support children's development.

Skills

Outdoor learning

Forest school

Safeguarding awareness

Education

DfE approved Early Years qualification (Level 3+)

Forest school qualification

Job description

Job Introduction

Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary.

Role: Forest School Leader.
Location: Willows Day Nursery | Stoke Mandeville | HP21 8BD.
Contract: Permanent | 37.5-40 hours/week | 52 weeks/year.
Working pattern: Varied shifts Monday-Friday between 07:30-18:30
Salary: £30,700.80-£33,737.60 per annum (pro-rata) | £14.76-£16.22 per hour.

We’ve been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Within our 44-day nurseries, Head Office, and Training Academy, EduBase, our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute. We believe in ‘careers, not jobs’, supporting one another to grow and succeed.

Why join us?

• Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per annum (pro-rata), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays.
• Work-life balance: Up to a further 20 paid days off each year through our Partnership Reward Days incentive; take your leave or sell the days you accrue, tax-free.
• Family childcare savings: If you have children or grandchildren, there's the potential for you to benefit from generously discounted childcare at Childbase Partnership nurseries, with savings of up to 75% for parents, and 40% for grandparents, depending on your contracted hours.
• Exclusive partner benefits: Long-service rewards, qualification bonuses and retail discounts.
• Wellbeing support: Free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers and a free will-writing service.
• Career development: Team inset days, access to online training and apprenticeships through our academy.

About us

• We are employee-owned: Every colleague is a partner with a voice, who helps drive our success; when we do well, we each receive an annual tax-free dividend.
• We are number 1: Ranked top of the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes.
• We are community driven: Supporting causes close to our hearts, we’ve raised more than £3.5 million for charity.
• We are environmentally responsible: Building a greener tomorrow our nurseries all hold Green Flag awards and are powered by 100% renewable energy.

About you

• You are a qualified early years professional: You hold a DfE approved early years qualification at level 3 or above as well as a forest school qualification.
• You are passionate about making outdoor learning fun: You are an experienced forest school practitioner who uses the EYFS as a Key Person to plan and implement high quality, engaging activities that enable children to explore their natural environment, embrace outdoor learning and enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills.
• You are an advocate for safeguarding: You will ensure every child feels safe, valued, and happy and their well-being is promoted.
• You are collaborative: You enjoy working in partnership with children, parents and colleagues, effectively communicating and building strong and positive relationships.

We are an inclusive employer and we welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. We’re committed to FREDIE (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement) and will consider any reasonable adjustments required. If you meet the essential criteria for this role, your application will be automatically shortlisted for review by our Recruitment Team who will determine if an interview is the next step.

Applicants must currently reside within a commutable distance of the nursery and hold suitable Right to Work in the UK; VISA sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks apply, which include an Enhanced DBS check. If you’re not early years and forest school qualified, visit our Careers Page to explore other opportunities.