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
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Lead Forest School sessions with small groups of children
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Create exciting, safe, and engaging outdoor learning experiences
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Support child-led exploration and risk-taking through nature
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Encourage resilience, curiosity, and confidence in children
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Collaborate with educators and leadership to embed outdoor learning across the curriculum
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Maintain tools, fire pits, outdoor resources and woodland areas
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Promote a deep respect for the environment through hands-on experience
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Reflect Forest School sessions in the nursery environment
What You’ll Need
Forest School Leader qualification (Level 3 or equivalent)
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Experience delivering outdoor sessions for children
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Knowledge of risk assessment, bushcraft and nature-based learning
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Level 3 childcare qualification (desirable but not essential)
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Passion for Early Years, nature, and outdoor education
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A calm, confident presence and playful, can-do attitude
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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
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All-expenses-paid CPD trips abroad
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33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)
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80% childcare discount
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Seasonal bonuses + long-service rewards
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Buy/sell holiday scheme
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Staff socials, wellbeing support & reward schemes
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Beautiful, natural settings with purpose-built forest spaces
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Work alongside artists, educators, and creative teams
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Clear career progression routes in a supportive, award-winning team
Working Hours
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Monday to Friday, 7:30am – 6:00pm (rotas apply)
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Full-time only, 51 weeks per year
Need to Know
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Enhanced DBS check and references required
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We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer
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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
Forest School Practitioner, Outdoor Learning Leader, Forest School Facilitator, Nature-Based Educator, Outdoor Education Leader, Forest Kindergarten Leader, Woodland Learning Practitioner, Outdoor Play Leader, Forest School Coordinator, Bushcraft Instructor, Nature Nursery Leader, Environmental Education Practitioner, Forest School Teacher, Outdoor Activities Leader, Eco-Education Specialist.
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