Qualified Early Years Practitioner – Outdoor Nursery
Are you a qualified Early Years Practitioner looking for something a little different from a traditional nursery environment? Join our nursery where the outdoors is the playroom!
At Family First Nurseries Woodland, our children spend their days learning, playing and exploring outdoors and in our shelters, with our outdoor provision at the heart of what we do. We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic and caring qualified practitioner to join our team.
If you love working with children, enjoy being outdoors and believe that children learn best through meaningful experiences, play, exploration and relationships, we'd love to hear from you!
About the Role
As a Qualified Early Years Practitioner, you will:
- Provide high-quality care, play and learning experiences for children aged 3–5 years
- Develop warm, responsive and positive relationships with children and families
- Support children's learning through child-led play, exploration and real-life experiences
- Make the most of our outdoor environment as a place for learning, discovery and adventure
- Support children to develop confidence, independence, resilience and appropriate risk-taking skills
- Embrace outdoor play in all seasons and weather conditions
- Observe, assess and plan for children's individual interests, development and next steps
- Contribute to children's learning journals and ongoing planning
- Support children's emotional wellbeing and positive relationships with others
- Work closely with colleagues to provide a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment
- Communicate positively and professionally with parents and carers
- Follow safeguarding, health and safety and nursery procedures
- Be a positive role model to apprentices and less experienced members of the team
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a minimum Level 3/SVQ 3 qualification in Early Learning and Childcare or equivalent
- Has experience working in an early years/nursery setting
- Has a genuine passion for working with young children
- Is warm, nurturing, patient and responsive
- Understands child development and the importance of play
- Is confident in supporting children's independence and allowing them to experience appropriate challenge and risk
- Can observe children effectively and use their knowledge to extend learning
- Works well as part of a team and communicates confidently with colleagues and families
- Is reliable, enthusiastic and committed to providing high-quality care
- Is happy to get outdoors, whatever the weather!
Why Family First?
Our approach is different.
We believe that outdoor learning shouldn't be an occasional activity – it should be part of everyday childhood.
Our children have the opportunity to explore nature, get muddy, climb, build, investigate, create, take appropriate risks, develop independence and learn through their own interests and experiences.
We want practitioners who are excited by that approach and who see the outdoors as a place full of possibilities for learning.
If you're looking for a role where no two days are the same, where you can make a genuine difference to children's lives and where getting muddy is part of the job, we'd love to hear from you!
Apply now to join the Family First team.
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company events
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Kirknewton EH27 8ED: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Do you hold an SVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification in Early Learning and Childcare, or above?
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
