Forest School Leader

Forest School Leader – Horsham, West Sussex (RH12)
Join an award-winning early years setting with Outstanding Ofsted standards, where outdoor learning, creativity, and childcare excellence come together within a beautiful woodland forest school environment.

Employment Type
Full Time | Permanent | All Year Round

Salary
£27,000 – £29,000 per year dependent on experience + benefits

Pay & Benefits

• Competitive salary package
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Up to 80% childcare discount
• Seasonal bonuses and staff reward schemes
• Company pension scheme
• Wellbeing support programme
• All-expenses-paid CPD trips abroad
• Clear career progression opportunities
• Training Academy and specialist development pathways
• Staff social events and team activities
• Free on-site parking
• Enhanced maternity and paternity support

Working Hours & Shift Pattern

• Full-time permanent opportunity
• Monday to Friday working pattern
• Rotational shifts between 7:30am and 6:00pm
• 51-week nursery operation
• Based in Horsham, West Sussex within a woodland outdoor learning setting
• Daily forest school and outdoor learning delivery
• Supportive leadership team with ongoing mentoring and development

Job Description
As a Forest School Leader, you will deliver engaging outdoor learning experiences within a highly regarded childcare and forest school setting in Horsham, West Sussex. This role offers the chance to work in a creative, nature-inspired environment where children are encouraged to explore, build confidence, and develop through hands-on learning.

Spend your days helping children learn through nature within immersive woodland spaces designed to inspire curiosity, independence, and resilience. You will facilitate meaningful forest school sessions while creating a safe, stimulating, and nurturing early years environment.

This role would suit a passionate early years or childcare professional with an interest in forest school, outdoor learning, and nature-based education who is looking to grow within a supportive and progressive setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging forest school and outdoor learning sessions
• Create safe, stimulating, and child-led outdoor experiences
• Encourage confidence, resilience, and independence in children
• Support children’s learning and development in line with EYFS principles
• Maintain woodland learning areas and outdoor resources
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing, and health & safety standards
• Work collaboratively with nursery practitioners and leadership teams
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues
• Contribute to observations, learning progress, and developmental outcomes
• Maintain professional communication and documentation standards

Requirements

• Permanent right to work in the UK
• Level 3 Early Years or Childcare qualification
• Previous experience within nurseries, childcare, or early years settings
• Interest or experience within forest school or outdoor learning environments
• Confidence delivering outdoor activities and child-led exploration
• Strong communication skills with a calm and proactive approach
• Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team
• Also suitable for: Forest School Practitioner, Early Years Educator, Nursery Practitioner, Outdoor Learning Practitioner, Childcare Practitioner, Forest School Assistant, Nursery Educator

Company Culture
You will join a welcoming team within an award-winning and Outstanding Ofsted early years environment that values creativity, curiosity, outdoor learning, and child-centred childcare.

The setting promotes continuous learning, reflective practice, staff wellbeing, and long-term career progression. Team members are encouraged to contribute ideas, develop new skills, and grow within a collaborative forest school environment designed to inspire both children and practitioners.

Apply Today
This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading forest school setting in Horsham, West Sussex (RH12), where your skills, enthusiasm, and commitment will be genuinely valued.

If you are passionate about outdoor learning, childcare, and early years development, apply today to take the next step in your forest school career.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early interest is warmly encouraged.

Contact Details
Recruit by Nature
George Francis
George@recruitbynature.co.uk
Direct Line: 0118 334 8424
WhatsApp: 07782217154