Job Description

Our outdoor settings; The Fledglings and Clophill Preschool are not your typical classroom setting. We're an outdoor, holistic learning environment that puts connection, creativity and child-led exploration at the heart of everything we do. Our days are filled with real-world projects, meaningful community links, and moments of joy, challenge and growth.

We're passionate about how children learn best -- not just what they learn. That means emotional well-being, therapeutic thinking, and current educational research shape our approach every day.

Who we're looking for at Clophill Preschool:

We're looking for a passionate, experienced Early Years Practitioner to join our double-outstanding team at Clophill Preschool -- a setting where nature is not just the backdrop but the teacher. Our unique outdoor environment supports children to learn through real experiences, seasonal change, and deep connection with the world around them.

The right person will:

Have solid experience working with children aged 2 to 5, ideally in an outdoor or holistic setting Understand how young children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships Be confident in supporting learning outdoors, in all weathers, using nature as a central part of your practice Bring a calm, therapeutic, and child-centred approach to behaviour and emotional development Be curious about current research and open to reflective practice, especially around trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches Be happy to follow children's interests while providing gentle structure, scaffolding learning as it naturally unfolds Have the creativity and initiative to contribute new ideas and support a culture of continuous improvement Work collaboratively with a warm, supportive team who genuinely love what they do
Who We're Looking For at The Fledglings:
We're seeking a KS2 teacher or experienced teaching assistant with a genuine love for child-led, whole-child education. You'll need:

Experience working with KS2-aged children A strong understanding of how children learn -- not just what they should know Willingness to work outside in all weathers Openness to therapeutic and trauma-informed approaches Curiosity about current research in education and child development Confidence to support a wide range of learning, including literacy, numeracy, project-based learning and life skills Energy to support our bi-weekly community trips (e.g. visits to a local care home) Enthusiasm to help children run small businesses, cook meals, explore the world A collaborative mindset and a love of bringing new ideas to the table
What You'll Be Doing
Every week looks different in our unique education programme. Some days you'll be:

Helping a child write to the local council about an environmental issue they care about Joining a group to plan and run a cafe stall for families Supporting cooking lessons with real-life maths and teamwork Walking with children to visit the care home they've built relationships with Sitting around a fire pit, listening to stories and developing literacy through lived experience Supporting emotional regulation, resilience and social problem-solving through your relational approach
Why Join Us?

A genuinely fun and friendly team who support each other Freedom to be creative and innovative -- your ideas are welcome here A workplace that values people, not paperwork Opportunities for professional growth in therapeutic practice, outdoor learning, and more A culture that honours children's voices, agency and emotional wellbeing
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 12.50 per hour

Expected hours: 14 - 35 per week

Work Location: In person