Ladybird Montessori and Forest School
Ladybird Montessori and Forest School is an independent Montessori and Forest School preschool located in North London. Since 1991, we have proudly served our local community, providing exceptional early years education and preparing generations of children for a confident and successful transition into primary school.
For more than 30 years, our reputation has been built on delivering high-quality education within a nurturing, stimulating and inspiring environment. We believe that the early years are the foundation for lifelong learning, and our mission is to ensure every child develops the confidence, independence, resilience and curiosity needed to flourish both academically and personally.
Our educational philosophy combines the child-led principles of the Montessori approach with the exploration, creativity and resilience encouraged through Forest School learning. This unique balance enables children aged 2–5 years to become independent thinkers, confident communicators and enthusiastic learners through purposeful play, structured teaching and meaningful real-world experiences.
At Ladybird Montessori and Forest School, education is at the heart of everything we do. While children's wellbeing, happiness and safety are fundamental, our primary purpose is to teach, inspire and nurture a genuine love of learning. Every interaction is viewed as an opportunity to extend children's knowledge, language, critical thinking and understanding of the world around them.
Our highly skilled team of educators work collaboratively to plan and deliver an ambitious curriculum that responds to each child's interests, developmental stage and next steps. Through intentional teaching, reflective practice and strong partnerships with families, we strive to provide every child with the very best start in life.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional Early Years Educator/Classroom Lead to join our dedicated team.
This is not a traditional nursery practitioner role. We are looking for an educator who is passionate about teaching and understands the significant responsibility of shaping children's earliest educational experiences.
The successful candidate will lead their classroom with confidence and professionalism, working closely with the Head Teacher to deliver an engaging, ambitious and carefully planned curriculum. They will confidently undertake the role of Key Person, implement the observation, assessment and planning cycle, and use their professional judgement to adapt teaching in response to children's individual interests, abilities and next steps.
They will also support and guide colleagues within the classroom, helping to maintain consistently high standards of teaching and learning while contributing positively to our collaborative team culture.
We are looking for someone who is reflective, organised, adaptable and proactive—someone who thrives in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same. The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative, embrace continuous professional development, and share our commitment to educational excellence.
If you are an enthusiastic educator who believes that the preschool years should be rich in discovery, challenge and meaningful learning, we would love to hear from you and welcome you to the Ladybird Montessori and Forest School family.
Person SpecificationEssential Qualifications and Experience
The successful candidate will have:
- A minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above). Higher qualifications, including Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a relevant degree in Early Childhood Education, are highly desirable.
- A sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and child development.
- Experience working with children aged 2–5 years within an early years setting.
- Experience as a Key Person, confidently implementing the observation, assessment and planning cycle.
- The ability to plan, deliver and evaluate purposeful learning experiences that meet children's individual developmental needs.
- Strong communication and organisational skills with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
- Excellent classroom management skills and the confidence to lead a classroom independently.
- A proactive, reflective and flexible approach to teaching, recognising that no two days are the same within an early years environment.
Desirable Qualifications
The following qualifications are desirable; however, training and professional development will be provided for the successful candidate where required:
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete training upon appointment).
- Safeguarding Training.
- SENCO training or experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
- Montessori qualification or previous experience working within a Montessori environment.
- Forest School experience or an enthusiasm for outdoor learning.
Key Responsibilities
As an Early Years Educator/Teacher, you will be expected to:
- Lead the classroom with confidence, professionalism and enthusiasm, creating a positive, engaging and inclusive learning environment.
- Work collaboratively with the Head Teacher to plan, deliver and continually refine an ambitious curriculum that reflects children's interests, developmental stages and next steps in learning.
- Take ownership of planning, observations and assessments, ensuring they are meaningful, purposeful and used to inform future teaching.
- Deliver high-quality adult-led and child-initiated learning experiences that inspire curiosity, independence and critical thinking.
- Lead and support other members of the teaching team, providing guidance, encouragement and clear direction to ensure a consistent approach to learning across the classroom.
- Adapt teaching strategies and learning experiences to meet the changing needs, interests and abilities of individual children.
- Promote high expectations for children's learning, behaviour and personal development.
- Develop strong partnerships with parents and carers, sharing children's achievements and working collaboratively to support their ongoing development.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to progress reviews, ensuring every child receives the support and challenge they need to flourish.
- Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding, health and safety, and professional conduct at all times.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an educator who is passionate about teaching and understands the significant role early years education plays in shaping children's futures.
The successful candidate will be confident in leading a classroom while working collaboratively as part of a skilled and supportive teaching team. They will be reflective, organised and proactive, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and make informed decisions using their own initiative.
They will embrace our educational philosophy, recognising that while care is fundamental, our primary purpose is to educate. They will be committed to delivering exceptional teaching, inspiring curiosity, fostering independence and ensuring every child is challenged, supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential.
Above all, they will share our values of professionalism, collaboration, continuous improvement and educational excellence, helping us continue our proud tradition of preparing children for a successful transition to primary school and a lifelong love of learning.
Pay: £12.71-£18.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Free flu jabs
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
