Forest School Leader

Job Title: Forest School Leader - Award-Winning Nursery Group
_Location:_ Horsham, West Sussex
_Salary:_ Up to £28,000 per year
_Job Type:_ Full-time, Permanent

Top Staff Perks

Work Outdoors Every Day
All-Expenses-Paid International CPD Trips
Wellbeing Support + Real Career Growth

About the Role

Little Barn Owls Nursery Group - 2024 Nursery World Award Winner - is looking for a passionate and energetic Forest School Leader to bring the magic of the outdoors to life for our children.

If you love muddy boots, campfires, bug hunts and inspiring young minds in nature, this is your dream job.

You'll deliver exceptional forest school sessions in beautiful woodland and farm-based settings as part of our unique Reggio Emilia and nature-inspired curriculum.

What You'll Be Doing
Lead daily Forest School sessions with small groups of children
Create exciting, safe, and engaging outdoor learning experiences
Support child-led exploration and risk-taking through nature
Encourage resilience, curiosity, and confidence in children
Collaborate with educators and leadership to embed outdoor learning across the curriculum
Maintain tools, fire pits, outdoor resources and woodland areas
Promote a deep respect for the environment through hands-on experience

What You'll Need
Forest School Leader qualification (Level 3 or equivalent)
Experience delivering outdoor sessions for children
Knowledge of risk assessment , bushcraft and nature-based learning
Level 3 childcare qualification (desirable but not essential)
Passion for Early Years, nature, and outdoor education
A calm, confident presence and playful, can-do attitude
Understanding of EYFS and safeguarding practices

Your Development

After a 3-month induction, you'll join our Little Barn Owls Training Academy , completing specialist modules focused on outdoor learning, leadership and reflective practice - with 1:1 mentoring throughout.

You'll also have opportunities for international CPD trips and further leadership development.

Why Join Us?
Up to £28,000 salary
Up to £1,000 welcome bonus
All-expenses-paid CPD trips abroad
33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)
80% childcare discount
Seasonal bonuses + long-service rewards
Buy/sell holiday scheme
Staff socials, wellbeing support & reward schemes
Beautiful, natural settings with purpose-built forest spaces
Work alongside artists, educators, and creative teams
Clear career progression routes in a supportive, award-winning team

Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 7:30am - 6:00pm (rotas apply)
Full-time only, 51 weeks per year

Need to Know
Enhanced DBS check and references required
We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer
Committed to safeguarding and child protection

About Little Barn Owls

We run four award-winning, Reggio Emilia-inspired nurseries across West Sussex, blending creativity, nature and child-led learning.

_Nursery World UK Nursery Group of the Year 2020_
_UK Nursery of the Year 2015_
_Winner - Enabling Environments 2024_

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £27,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:
Company pension
Employee discount
On-site parking
Referral programme
Sick pay
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:
West Sussex: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:
Forest School Leader: 1 year (required)

Language:
English (required)

Licence/Certification:
Forest School - Level 3 or above (required)

Work Location: In person