Nursery Practitioner

Recruit by Nature; Southwater; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Forest School group

Professional development

Reggio Emilia environment

11-acre woodland access

Outdoor learning

Atelier studio

Large garden

Staff-to-child ratio

Family-support leads

Job summary

Recruit by Nature is seeking a Level 3 Nursery Practitioner in Southwater, West Sussex. This full-time permanent role offers £25,000-£30,000 per year plus benefits, with access to private woodland, a large garden and Atelier studio spaces.

You will deliver nurturing care, support child-led nature-based learning, and work within a Forest School setting, collaborating with families and staff who value outdoor exploration.

Qualifications

• You must already have the right to work in the UK.
• An appropriate Level 2 or higher childcare or early years qualification.
• Experience working with children in a nursery, early years or childcare setting.
• Interest in Forest School, outdoor learning and nature-based experiences.
• Ability to provide safe, nurturing and engaging care through purposeful play.
• Patient, creative and attentive communication with children, families and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide warm, responsive care for children in a nursery and Forest School setting.
• Plan and support purposeful play and learning experiences appropriate to children’s development.
• Encourage curiosity, confidence and creativity through child-led activities.
• Support nature-based learning in the private woodland and outdoor environments.
• Use the garden and Atelier studio spaces to extend children’s interests and ideas.
• Build secure, respectful relationships with children and respond to their individual needs.

Skills

Forest School experience

Outdoor learning

Childcare experience

Communication with families

Education

Level 2 or higher childcare qualification

Early years qualification

Job description

Level 3 Nursery Practitioner - Southwater, West Sussex, RH13
Join an award-winning Forest School nursery in Southwater, West Sussex, where children benefit from Reggio Emilia-inspired learning, outdoor exploration and creative projects. This full-time permanent Nursery Practitioner position suits an enthusiastic early years professional who wants to support children through purposeful play and nature-based experiences, with access to private woodland, a large garden and dedicated Atelier studio spaces.

Employment Type
Full-time, permanent, all-year-round position.

Salary
£25,000 - £30,000 per annum + benefits.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work for an award-winning Forest School nursery group
• Professional development investment.
• Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environment.
• Access to private 11-acre woodland.
• Forest School experience and outdoor learning.
• Creative Atelier studio work.
• Large garden and outdoor provision.
• High staff-to-child ratios.
• Dedicated family-support and learning leads.

Working Hours & Shift Pattern
Full-time, permanent working pattern.
Southwater, West Sussex, RH13 area.

• Full-time nursery position.
• Work within a Forest School and early years setting.
• Support children across indoor, garden and woodland learning environments.
• Exact weekly hours and shift times are to be confirmed.

Job Description
As a Nursery Practitioner, you will deliver nurturing care, teaching and learning within a Forest School nursery in Southwater, West Sussex. You will support children through child-led, nature-based learning and purposeful play, helping them develop confidence, curiosity and creative expression. The setting includes private 11-acre woodland, a large garden and dedicated Atelier studio spaces, providing a distinctive environment for childcare and early years practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide warm, responsive care for children in a nursery and Forest School setting.
• Plan and support purposeful play and learning experiences appropriate to children’s development.
• Encourage curiosity, confidence and creativity through child-led activities.
• Support nature-based learning in the private woodland and outdoor environments.
• Use the garden and Atelier studio spaces to extend children’s interests and ideas.
• Build secure, respectful relationships with children and respond to their individual needs.
• Observe children and use their interests to inform learning opportunities.
• Communicate professionally with families about children’s experiences, progress and wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, family-support leads and learning leads.
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety and nursery policies consistently.

Essential Requirements

• You must already have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.
• An appropriate Level 2 or higher childcare or early years qualification.
• Experience working with children in a nursery, early years or childcare setting.
• Interest in Forest School, outdoor learning and nature-based experiences.
• Ability to provide safe, nurturing and engaging care through purposeful play.
• Patient, creative and attentive communication with children, families and colleagues.
• Ability to work responsibly as part of a team and contribute to children’s learning records.
• Also suitable for: Early Years Practitioner, Early Years Educator, Forest School Educator, Nursery Nurse

Company Culture
As a Nursery Practitioner, you will be part of a supportive nurseries and early years team that values curiosity, creativity and thoughtful child-led practice. The setting invests in professional development and combines Reggio Emilia-inspired learning with daily opportunities for outdoor exploration. High staff-to-child ratios, dedicated family-support and learning leads, private woodland and Atelier studio spaces help create a positive environment for children and practitioners.