Job description:
Love the outdoors? Passionate about inspiring young children? At Discover Outdoors, we're looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join our unique outdoor kindergarten, Nature’s Way. If you believe children learn best through exploration, adventure and meaningful experiences in nature, we'd love to hear from you. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive and professional team where your ideas are valued, your development is encouraged, and every day is different. About the Role As an Early Years Practitioner, you'll play a key role in delivering outstanding early education within our Forest School-inspired setting. Working alongside experienced practitioners, you'll create engaging, child-led learning opportunities while ensuring every child feels safe, supported and inspired to thrive. You'll be responsible for: • Delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum through high-quality outdoor learning. • Acting as a Key Person, observing, assessing and supporting children's individual development. • Creating safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environments. • Building positive partnerships with parents and carers. • Promoting children's physical, emotional, social and intellectual wellbeing. • Maintaining high standards of safeguarding, health & safety and welfare. • Working collaboratively as part of a passionate and supportive team. • Contributing to the continued development of our unique Forest School ethos.
Main duties:
Main duties To effectively deliver the EYFS ensuring that the individual needs and interests of children in the provision are met (in conjunction with other team members) To read and understand the statutory frameworks; - Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) - SEND code of practice for 0-25 years (2015) Chapter 5 and the legislation that governs these documents; Childcare act (2006) Children and families act (2014) Equality act (2010) Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations (2014) To keep records of key children’s development and assessments and share with parents, carers and other key adults in the child’s life. Support all staff and engage with staff team. To develop and maintain strong partnerships and communication with parents/carers to facilitate day-to-day caring and early learning needs. To ensure the provision of a high-quality environment to meet the needs of individual children having an awareness of any disabilities, family cultures and medical histories. To advise the manager/deputy of any concerns, e.g. over children, parents, the safety of the environment, preserving confidentiality as necessary. To be involved in out of working hours activities, e.g, monthly staff meetings, open days, site maintenance etc To engage in continuous professional development proactively identifying own training needs and completing mandatory training, including but not limited to; safeguarding, prevent, food hygiene and first aid. To be flexible within working practices of the provision, undertaking other responsible duties where needed, such as domestic tasks, preparation of snack meals, cleaning and waste disposal. To work alongside the manager and staff team to ensure that the provision’s forest school ethos is fulfilled. To read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to your role and the safe running of the provision. To develop your role within the team, especially with regard to being an effective key person To adhere to GDPR and keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff that is acquired as part of the job. To be aware of the high profile of the provision and to uphold its standards at all times, both in work hours and outside. To support nursery assistants, students and volunteers. To ensure good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times.
Experience and qualifications:
Level 3 Early Years qualified with experience delivering the EYFS, supporting child development, safeguarding, SEND and maintaining accurate records. Skilled in working with families and colleagues to provide safe, inclusive, child-centred learning.
Personal qualities:
Caring, reliable and enthusiastic practitioner with excellent communication and teamwork skills. Committed to safeguarding, equality and inclusion, with a flexible, proactive approach and a passion for helping every child reach their potential.
Terms and conditions:
Hours: 8:30am-3:30pm, 2-5 days per week. All staff are expected to complete Forest School training, actively engage in CPD, and work flexibly while maintaining high professional, safeguarding and organisational standards.
Benefits:
30 days' paid holiday, above National Minimum Wage pay, workplace pension, supportive and professional team culture, high-quality in-house training, ongoing CPD opportunities and fully funded Forest School training to support career development.