Lunch Cover Assistant - Forest School Nursery

Zohorecruit; Southwater; On-site; GBP 7,000 - 9,000; Part time

Job summary

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries in West Sussex is hiring a Forest School Lunch Cover Assistant for the on-site Forest School site in Itchingfield. The role is part-time, 11am–2pm, five days a week, year-round.

Duties include supporting the campfire lunch, leading Forest School activities with children, and working as part of a small team. Applicants should have a passion for nature and outdoor education; DBS check and suitable references are required.

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Passion for EY

Outdoor education

Calm demeanour

Playful attitude

Childcare willingness

Job description

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries | Part time

Lunch Cover Assistant - Forest School Nursery

Itchingfield, United Kingdom | Posted on 09/29/2026

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