Early Years Practitioner​/Forest school Leader

Early Years Practitioner / Forest school Leader Details

• Reference: SCC/TP/287916/4256
• Positions: 1
• Salary: £12.45 to £13.00 per hour
• Category: Care - Children and Young People
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 16 hours per week
• Posted on: 2 December 2025
• Closing date: 30 June 2026
• Directorate: Partnership
• Location: St Thomas Church, Little wick Common, Little wick road, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey, GU21 2JZ

Please note that this vacancy is not part of Surrey County Council, we are advertising this on behalf of a partnership organisation.

The salary range for this role is £12.45 to £13.00 per hour based on a 16 hour working week.

About the Organisation

We are a small sessional nursery rated outstanding by Ofsted, we offer the highest standard of care and education to children aged 2.5 to 5. Our driving aim is to foster a love for learning, independence and a high self-esteem through the exciting experiences, explorations and opportunities that we provide outdoors, indoors and in our surrounding woodland during our Forest School sessions.

We make full use of our outdoor environment both within our nursery grounds and in the woodland surrounding our setting throughout the year whatever the weather therefore any candidate should have a love for and commitment to learning outdoors .

If you are committed to supporting and developing children's learning in both outdoor and indoor environments, if you are keen, enthusiastic, motivated and reliable then this is the role for you!

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a wonderful and natural environment with a unique setting and be a part of an experienced and family team. We are a term time setting and offer statutory holiday pay with up to 1 week of this being able to be taken during term time. We offer a small staff discount on nursery fees and a small uniform allowance.

Admin time is given for collating children's observations and learning journeys. Peter Pan Nursery and Forest School is committed to the safeguarding of all children; therefore, all appointments are subject to receiving an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service which we consider acceptable as well as appropriate references.

In this role you will work within the nursery/ forest school team planning for, supporting and extending children's learning both indoors and outdoors, within the nursery environment and out in our surrounding woodland. You will be expected to work with the key person system, keeping observations and making assessments on children's learning and progress. You will develop strong working relationships with your team and with the families of the children under our care.

You will work within safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure children's safety and wellbeing are paramount.

As part of your role and with the nursery team you will work with children with a wide range of learning needs and be able to plan learning experiences and strategies accordingly under the guidance of the setting Curriculum Lead and the Senco.

About You

With a minimum of a level 3 full and relevant early years or childcare qualification, you will need to have experience of meeting the requirements of Early Years Foundation Stage and highly value your own continued professional development.

A forest school qualification is preferable, however a candidate with some experience of working outdoors with children who was willing to undertake forest school training once in role would be considered.

We recommend any potential candidate makes a visit to the setting prior to making an application.

The close date for this role is 30.06.2026 and interviews will be offered to suitable candidates as applications come in so it is recommended that you apply early to avoid disappointment.