Forest School Leader - £500 welcome bonus

The Old Station Nursery Group; Bishopthorpe; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome bonus

Childcare support

Holiday entitlement

Professional development

Community volunteering

Perks & discounts

Recognition programs

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery Group is seeking a Forest School Lead for Little Green Rascals Bishopthorpe to guide children aged 3–5 through outdoor learning that builds confidence and independence, connecting them with the natural world.

You will plan and deliver Forest School sessions, support a child-led approach, and ensure safety, safeguarding, and reflective practice across the site. All roles include engagement with families and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• You must hold both a Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent and a recognised Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification.
• Experience working with children aged 3–5.
• Experience planning and delivering outdoor learning sessions.
• An understanding of the EYFS and how outdoor experiences support children’s development.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Confidence assessing risks and supporting safe, age‑appropriate exploration.
• A warm, inclusive approach that helps children participate at their own pace.
• The ability to support colleagues and build positive relationships with families.
• Organisation, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning outdoors throughout the seasons.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver sessions for children aged 3–5 in line with recognised Forest School principles.
• Encourage child-led exploration and adapt experiences to individual developmental needs.
• Connect outdoor learning with the EYFS to support communication, physical development, problem-solving and emotional wellbeing.
• Complete and review risk assessments for the site and activities, respond to changing conditions.
• Ensure tools, natural materials and equipment are used safely and appropriately.
• Maintain safeguarding, health and safety, and first aid arrangements in line with setting policies.
• Care for the Forest School area, keep resources safe and organised, and develop year-round learning opportunities.
• Help children build respect for nature through sustainable practices and care for living things.
• Support and mentor colleagues to embed outdoor learning across the nursery.
• Share children’s experiences and the benefits of Forest School with families.
• Keep accurate session records, observations and risk assessments, using reflection to improve the programme.

Skills

Experience with children 3–5

Outdoor learning planning

EYFS understanding

Safeguarding knowledge

Risk assessment

Relational / inclusive approach

Team support & mentoring

Organisational & creativity

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent

Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification

Tools

None

Job description

Join Our Team as a Forest School Lead

Help little humans discover a world of possibility outdoors

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing -little humans and big humans alike. As Forest School Lead at Little Green Rascals Bishopthorpe, you’ll guide children aged 3–5 through outdoor experiences that nurture confidence, independence, and a lasting connection with the natural world.

You’ll bring your knowledge, creativity, and care to a nursery community where children’s curiosity leads the way and your ideas have room to grow.

Why Join Our Team?

We take care of the people who care for our children and families. Here’s what that means for you:

• A warm welcome: £500 welcome bonus.

• Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.

• Time to recharge: 31 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years of service.

• Space to grow: Access to The National College, with a library of courses and training to develop your practice and leadership.

• Connection to your community: One paid day each year to volunteer and support a cause that matters to you.

• Everyday support: With access to Perkbox, enjoy discounts on shopping, meals out, and everyday essentials, alongside wellbeing tools and online medical services. You’ll also be eligible for a Blue Light Card, helping your money go further with even more discounts.

• Recognition along the way: We celebrate the care and commitment you bring, with Employee of the Month recognition, long-service awards to mark your milestones, and referral bonuses for introducing friends or family to our team.

Pay: Up to £28,912 per annum, depending on experience, based on 40 hours per week.

Hours: 38 - 40 hours per week over five days, Monday - Friday.

Location

Little Green Rascals Children's Day Nursery & Out of School Club Bishopthorpe
Old School House
Bishopthorpe
North Yorkshire
YO23 2RE

Where You’ll Be Working

Based in a listed former school building opposite Bishopthorpe library, our nursery has a welcoming, home-from-home feel. Four rooms retain their original features, while three gardens and an onsite Forest School offer plenty of space for outdoor discovery.

Our kitchen team prepares fresh, organic food onsite each day for children and staff. We also have an Out of School and Holiday Club attached to the local school, offering creative activities and outdoor adventures.

You’ll also meet Mabel, our nursery dog, who attends two days a week and is training to become a therapy dog for children.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll lead our Forest School programme, creating inclusive experiences that give children time to explore, follow their interests, and build skills through play.

One moment you might be helping children investigate a woodland discovery. The next, you could be supporting a den‑building challenge or encouraging a quieter child to share what they’ve noticed.

Your role will include:

• Planning and delivering sessions for children aged 3–5 in line with recognised Forest School principles

• Encouraging child‑led exploration and carefully managed challenges, adapting experiences to individual developmental needs

• Connecting outdoor learning with the EYFS, supporting communication, physical development, problem‑solving, and emotional wellbeing

• Completing and reviewing risk assessments for the site and activities, responding to changing conditions

• Ensuring tools, natural materials, and equipment are used safely and appropriately

• Maintaining safeguarding, health and safety, and first aid arrangements in line with setting policies

• Caring for the Forest School area, keeping resources safe and organised, and developing opportunities for year‑round learning

• Helping children build respect for nature through sustainable practices and care for living things

• Supporting and mentoring colleagues to embed outdoor learning across the nursery

• Sharing children’s experiences and the benefits of Forest School with families

• Keeping accurate session records, observations, and risk assessments, using reflection to develop the programme

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. In this role, that means planning with care, listening to each child, and turning curiosity into meaningful outdoor experiences.

What We’re Looking For

You must hold both a Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent and a recognised Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience working with children aged 3–5

• Experience planning and delivering outdoor learning sessions

• An understanding of the EYFS and how outdoor experiences support children’s development

• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures

• Confidence assessing risks and supporting safe, age‑appropriate exploration

• A warm, inclusive approach that helps children participate at their own pace

• The ability to support colleagues and build positive relationships with families

• Organisation, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning outdoors throughout the seasons

We’re looking for someone who knows when to offer guidance, when to step back, and how to help children make discoveries of their own.

Please note: we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, verification of your right to work in the UK, and any essential qualifications. If successful, our Onboarding Team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to support fairness and accessibility for all candidates. This role involves regulated activity with children.