Nursery Practitioner - £1000 welcome bonus!

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries; Horsham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Long-service rewards

Buy/sell annual leave

Health cash plan

Career progression

Access to artists in studios

Job summary

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries in West Sussex is hiring a Nursery Practitioner to join our forest and farm-based group in Horsham. This full-time role offers an up to £30,000 salary and a 3-month induction into our Little Barn Owls Training Academy.

You will support children aged 6 months to 5 years, contribute to an outdoor, child-led curriculum, and participate in our 51-week operation with a 7:30am–6:00pm schedule. Benefits include 33 days holiday and ongoing development.

Qualifications

• Passion for Early Years and outdoor learning.
• Caring, can-do attitude and team spirit.
• Good understanding of EYFS and safeguarding.
• Bonus: experience with Reggio Emilia or Forest School (not essential).

Responsibilities

• Support children aged 6 months to 5 years in learning and development.
• Create a warm, stimulating and safe environment.
• Engage children in outdoor play, forest school and farm-based activities.
• Observe and track development, helping children meet milestones.
• Build positive relationships with families.
• Work closely with your team to deliver an inspiring, child-led curriculum.
• Get stuck in! (We don’t mind a bit of mud and mess around here)

Skills

Early Years Passion

Team spirit

EYFS knowledge

Reggio Emilia/Forest School (bonus)

Job description

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries | Full time

Nursery Practitioner - £1000 welcome bonus!

Horsham, United Kingdom | Posted on 07/08/2026

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner – Forest & Farm School Nursery Group

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Salary: Up to £30,000 per year

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Why Join Us?

We’re Little Barn Owls Nursery Group – an award-winning, Reggio Emilia-inspired nursery based in beautiful West Sussex. Recently named 2024 Nursery World Award Winners, we’re now looking for passionate Nursery Practitioners to join our fun, creative and nature-loving team!

You’ll be part of a group that champions outdoor learning, imaginative play, and meaningful connections with children and families.

About the Role

What You’ll Do

• Support children aged 6 months to 5 years in their learning and development
• Create a warm, stimulating and safe environment
• Engage children in outdoor play, forest school and farm-based activities
• Observe and track development, helping children meet their milestones
• Build positive relationships with families
• Work closely with your team to deliver an inspiring, child-led curriculum
• Get stuck in! (We don’t mind a bit of mud and mess around here)

What You’ll Need

• Passion for Early Years and outdoor learning
• A caring, can-do attitude and team spirit
• Good understanding of EYFS & safeguarding
• (Bonus: experience with Reggio Emilia or Forest School – but not essential!)

Training & Development

After your 3-month induction, you’ll be enrolled in the Little Barn Owls Training Academy, completing 12 practical, self-paced modules designed to make you an Outstanding Early Years Educator. You’ll also receive 1:1 mentoring and opportunities for international training!

More Benefits

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Long-service rewards and loyalty bonuses
• Option to buy/sell annual leave
• Access to health cash plan & Employee Assistance Programme
• Career progression & internal promotion opportunities
• Work alongside professional artists in creative studios (Ateliers)

Hours

• Monday to Friday, 7:30am – 6:00pm
• Full-time only (we are open 51 weeks/year)
• Enhanced DBS check and references required
• We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer
• We are committed to safeguarding all children and staff

About Little Barn Owls

With four beautiful nurseries across West Sussex, we’re known for combining child-led learning with the magic of nature and creativity.

Nursery World UK Nursery Group of the Year 2020

UK Nursery of the Year 2015