Forest School Leader

Willing Recruitment; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Discounted childcare

CPD and professional development

On-site parking

Health and wellbeing programme

Job summary

Willing Recruitment is seeking a passionate Forest School Leader for a brand-new nursery in Maidenhead. The role focuses on creating exciting outdoor learning experiences where children are encouraged to climb, explore, investigate, and get muddy.

You'll lead inspiring outdoor sessions throughout the year, working closely with the nursery team to embed nature-based learning in the EYFS curriculum while helping children build confidence, resilience and independence.

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent).
• Experience in Forest School or outdoor learning environments.
• Passion for outdoor education and connecting children with nature.
• Forest School qualification or willingness to undertake.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS framework and safeguarding requirements.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Creative approach to planning outdoor experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging Forest School and outdoor learning sessions throughout the year.
• Create safe, exciting, and child-led experiences that encourage curiosity, resilience, confidence, and independence.
• Inspire children to explore the outdoors through activities such as nature walks, den building, seasonal exploration, storytelling, sensory play, and gardening.
• Encourage children to embrace adventure, get muddy, solve problems, and develop practical life skills through outdoor play.
• Assess and manage risks to ensure outdoor activities remain safe while allowing children to explore and challenge themselves appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with the nursery team to embed outdoor learning throughout the curriculum.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies are followed at all times.

Skills

Outdoor education

Communication skills

Organisation

Creativity

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification

Forest School qualification

Job description

Forest School Leader

Up to £32,000 per year | Full Time | All Year Round | Level 3 Early Years

If you believe the best learning happens outdoors, this could be the perfect opportunity.

A brand-new nursery is looking for a passionate Forest School Leader to create exciting outdoor learning experiences where children are encouraged to climb, explore, investigate, and most importantly get muddy. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape an outdoor learning programme from the very beginning, helping children build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of nature.

Inside, the nursery offers bright, purposeful learning spaces designed to spark creativity and imagination. Outside is where the adventure really begins. Through its dedicated Outdoor Forestry Learning programme, children are given the freedom to discover the natural world, take managed risks, solve problems, and develop independence through hands‑on experiences.

As Forest School Leader, you'll lead inspiring outdoor sessions while working closely with the wider nursery team to ensure nature-based learning becomes an integral part of every child's early years journey.

What We're Looking For

• Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent).
• Previous experience working within a Forest School, woodland nursery, outdoor learning environment, or similar setting.
• A genuine passion for outdoor education and connecting children with nature.
• Forest School qualification or a willingness to undertake the qualification.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework and safeguarding requirements.Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A creative and enthusiastic approach to planning engaging outdoor experiences.

What You'll Receive

• Salary of up to £32,000 per year
• Full-time, all-year-round position
• Pension scheme
• Discounted childcare
• Benefits portal
• Health and wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Ongoing CPD and professional development support
• Opportunity to help shape the outdoor learning provision within a brand-new nursery
• Work within a modern setting designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and imaginative learning

Your Role

• Lead engaging Forest School and outdoor learning sessions throughout the year.
• Create safe, exciting, and child‑led experiences that encourage curiosity, resilience, confidence, and independence.
• Inspire children to explore the outdoors through activities such as nature walks, den building, seasonal exploration, storytelling, sensory play, and gardening.
• Encourage children to embrace adventure, get muddy, solve problems, and develop practical life skills through outdoor play.
• Assess and manage risks to ensure outdoor activities remain safe while allowing children to explore and challenge themselves appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with the nursery team to embed outdoor learning throughout the curriculum.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies are followed at all times.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with safeguarding responsibilities.

Reference: WILL248104/JG

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