Lunch Cover Assistant - Forest School Nursery

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries; Itchingfield; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries is looking for a Forest School Lunch Cover Assistant to join our Forest School Nursery near Itchingfield. The role runs 11am–2pm, five days a week, year-round, and is based on our private woodland site.

You will support the campfire lunch, participate in Forest School activities with the children, and work as part of a friendly team. A passion for nature and outdoor education helps you connect with young learners daily.

Qualifications

• Passion for Early Years and nature education.
• Calm, confident presence with a can-do attitude.
• Experience in childcare is a bonus but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the campfire lunch service.
• Engage in Forest School activities with children.
• Work as part of a small team in a woodland setting.

Skills

Passion for Early Years

Nature lover

Outdoor education

Calm presence

Willing to work with children

Team player

Job description

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries | Part time

Lunch Cover Assistant - Forest School Nursery

Itchingfield, United Kingdom | Posted on 10/19/2026

We have six INCREDIBLE and unique nurseries. Our Award Winning Nursery Group based in West Sussex were crowned winners of the Nursery World Award for Enabling Environments 2024!

Our fantastic Forest School Nursery in Southwater has its own private 11-acre woodland, where children can learn and explore the outdoors every day.

We are currently seeking a Forest School Lunch cover Assistant to work 11am - 2pm, 5 days per week (Monday - Friday). Please note - this position is to work all-year-round (NOT term-time).

This will be based permanently at our Forest School site.

Duties will include:

• Supporting the campfire lunch
• Engaging in Forest School activities with the children
• Working as part of a team

The ideal candidate will be someone who is passionate about nature and the outdoors, who would love to work with children!

• Our nurseries operate 51 weeks per year, 7.30 am - 6 pm Monday-Friday.
• Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, colour, religious belief, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.
• We are committed to safeguarding our children and staff. You will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and suitable references.
• This is a zero hours contract.

Our innovative and creative Reggio Emilia inspired, Farm and Forest Schools Nursery Group has been recognised for their approach to Early Years Education around the world. Nurturing confident, caring and curious children is our passion and our promise.

Requirements

• Passion for Early Years, nature, and outdoor education
• A calm, confident presence and playful, can-do attitude
• Experience working in childcare would be a bonus, but a willingness to enjoy spending time with children is essential!
• Due to the remote location of the forest site, you will need your own method of transport as it is not on a public transport route