Forest School Educator

Forest School Educator - Horsham, West Sussex, RH12
Join an award-winning early years nursery and farm school in Horsham, West Sussex, where children learn through outdoor exploration, nature-based experiences and creative enquiry. This permanent full-time Forest School Educator position suits someone who enjoys helping young children build confidence, curiosity and practical life skills through woodland learning, farm-school activities, Reggio Emilia-inspired practice and a supportive professional development culture.

Employment Type
Full-time, permanent position, 40 hours per week, all year round

Salary
£27,000 - £29,000 per annum + benefits.

Benefits

• Opportunity to join a multi-award-winning early years nursery and farm school.
• Ofsted Outstanding history.
• 80% childcare discount.
• Fully funded further education.
• CPD and international travel opportunities.
• Reward schemes and bonuses.
• Flexible working patterns.
• Annual leave allowance.
• Free hot meals.
• Joiners' and long-service bonuses.
• Private woodland, farm-school and outdoor learning environments.
• Strong investment in professional development.

Working Hours & Shift Pattern
Full-time, permanent, 40 hours per week.
Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 area.

• On a rota basis
• Work in a nursery and farm-school setting.
• Support Forest School and outdoor learning activities.
• Work with babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children.
• Daily use of gardens, farm-school spaces and woodland-based experiences.

Job Description
As a Forest School Educator, you will deliver engaging outdoor and nature-based learning within a Reggio Emilia-inspired early years setting in Horsham, West Sussex. You will support children aged three months to five years, helping them develop confidence, curiosity and personal, social and emotional skills through practical woodland experiences, purposeful play and creative enquiry. The setting combines a free-flow garden, farm-school activities, edible gardening, Atelier studios and a supportive learning culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging Forest School and outdoor learning experiences.
• Support children to explore nature through practical, child-led activities.
• Encourage confidence, curiosity and personal, social and emotional development.
• Facilitate activities such as den building, imaginative play, bug hunts and nature exploration.
• Support children's learning through farm-school, garden and woodland experiences.
• Adapt activities to the developmental needs of babies, toddlers and preschool children.
• Observe children's interests and use them to extend purposeful learning.
• Build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Work with the wider early years team, family-support leads and learning leads.
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety and nursery procedures consistently.

Essential Requirements

• You must already have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.
• Relevant Forest School, outdoor learning or early years training.
• Experience working with children in an early years, childcare or outdoor learning setting.
• Interest or experience in Forest School, woodland learning and nature-based education.
• Ability to plan and deliver safe, engaging and age-appropriate outdoor activities.
• Patient, creative and encouraging communication with children and adults.
• Ability to work responsibly and contribute positively within a professional nursery team.
• Also suitable for: Forest School Leader, Outdoor Learning Practitioner, Forest School Teacher, Early Years Educator

Company Culture
As a Forest School Educator, you will be part of an award-winning early years team that values curiosity, creativity and hands-on learning. The setting invests heavily in professional development and provides dedicated family-support and learning leads. Children's ideas are developed through Reggio Emilia-inspired practice, outdoor exploration, farm-school experiences and creative Atelier projects, creating a thoughtful environment for both children and practitioners.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early interest is warmly encouraged.

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