Job Description

If you are interested in applying for this role you MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION ON OUR WEBSITE: https://thehive-kids.com/pages/jobs

Please do not just apply via Indeed. Due to safer recruitment practices we cannot accept applications through Indeed alone.

The Hive

Founded in May 2014, The Hive is an established education company focused on Outdoor Learning and Forest School. We offer holiday camps and school workshops for children aged 3-13 in and around London, as well as accredited Forest School training for adults. We recently opened a small Forest School nursery in South East London and are currently developing a residential camp offer to launch in 2026. The Hive is unique in the UK, bringing together outdoor learning, narrative and gamified challenges in a Forest School setting. Please see our website for more information about our work: http://www.thehive-kids.com/

Overview

The Hive is a response to the growing disconnect from nature more and more children experience. Set up in 2014, we're a social enterprise helping children connect with nature through immersive outdoor experiences. Our unique approach is rooted in the Forest School ethos and principles, to support children as they explore, create, problem-solve and collaborate in the outdoors.

We've offered holiday camps and school workshops since 2014, as well as accredited Forest School training courses since 2018. We are members of the Forest School Association, the Institute of Outdoor Learning and the Early Years Alliance. We're also a Certified B Corp organisation (pending).

Following the success of our nursery, we're now offering Forest School Camp sessions at our sites in Blackheath and Dulwich for children aged 3 - 5.

Our Forest School Camp will run alongside our camp for children ages 5 - 13, but in a separate part of the grounds.

We're looking for someone creative, confident, kind, warm and empathic in their approach. You will be passionate about early childhood and Forest School led learning. You may have experience as a Nursery Manager, Deputy Manager or Practitioner, a Forest School Leader or be an Early Years Educator. Our roles are offered on a freelance basis.

We are currently seeking to hire two roles: The Forest School Camp Director and Forest School Leader. You'll be working alongside a team of two other practitioners in a small team of 3. Our overall ratio will be 1:4.

Our facilitators are a vital part of our team and many stay with us for years, as members of our supportive community. Our small Camp HQ team (our Head of Camps, Logistics Coordinator and Team Assistant) are there to support you throughout your time with us. They work on the ground and focus on developing a real sense of teamwork and shared responsibility to help you deliver the best possible camps.

The benefits we offer include fees above the London Living Wage, long-term contracts, access to subsidised external training courses, free breakfast, end of week drinks and social events, discounted training opportunities on our Forest School Training courses, staff discounts for parents, and a fun birthday celebration, should your birthday fall during camp ?.

Responsibilities (for Forest School Leader)

Lead Forest School activities alongside your team. Support the Forest School Camp Director in managing the camp day-to-day, in line with the Hive values. Ensure that high standards are maintained and that all policies and procedures are being followed. Nurture children's interests and needs, focusing on the quality of interaction. Build positive relationships with parents/carers to help deliver high quality Forest School learning experiences for every child. Ensure that you understand children's additional needs - medical, emotional, learning, etc., using the registers provided, and ensure that you attend to them. Ensure the safeguarding and safety of the children in your care at all times. Ensure close supervision of the children at all times.

Responsibilities (for Forest School Camp Director)

Manage the Forest School Camp following the Forest School ethos and Hive values. Lead the Forest School Camp team ensuring that high standards are maintained and that all policies and procedures are being followed. Nurture children's interests and needs, focusing on the quality of interaction. Build positive relationships with parents/carers to help deliver high quality Forest School learning experiences for every child. Ensure that you understand children's additional needs - medical, emotional, learning, etc., using the registers provided, and ensure that you attend to them. Ensure the safeguarding and safety of the children in your care at all times. Ensure close supervision of the children at all times. Facilitate Ofsted inspections, alongside the director and implement any recommendations. Be the main point of contact for day-to-day interaction with the host school, liaising with school keepers, facilities managers and groundskeepers. Be the main point of contact for Hive HQ for issues relating to safeguarding, H&S, HR, equipment, administration, technology, etc. Take ultimate responsibility for all First Aid at camp, including delivery and ensuring that all processes are followed, reported and followed up. Manage daily administration including sign in/out of children, overseeing activities, briefings and timetabling as required.

Qualifications and Experience

An Early Years Level 3 qualification or QTS An accredited Level 3 Forest School Qualification Experience in a nursery or other Early Years setting. For the Forest School Camp Director role you will need experience as a Nursery or Early Years Manager or Deputy Manager. Good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and KCSIE statutory guidance. Strong relationship-building and communication skills Self-motivation, resourcefulness and the ability to adapt quickly to change Paediatric First Aid (12 hour, approved by Ofsted) training within the last 3 years, or a willingness to undergo Paediatric First Aid training ahead of the role commencing. Comfortable and excited about spending time in the outdoors: putting up shelters, setting up and cleaning outdoor toilets, etc. You have an enhanced DBS certificate issued within the past 3 years or registered on the DBS Update Service or a willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to job offer.
The Hive is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are determined to ensure that no applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.

Working hours and time requirements

Before camp: A minimum of one day's training, to be confirmed after a job offer is made. Training will take place in July 2025.

Working hours: Our Forest School Camps run Monday - Friday, from 8am - 5pm.

Camp dates and Locations

You will be based at one location in 2025. You will need to be available for all of the dates we are running at your chosen location.

Our Camp locations are:

? Eltham College, Blackheath, SE9 4RW

? Dulwich Prep, Dulwich, SE21 7AB

Our Camp dates are:

? Monday 4th - Friday 8th August 2025
Eltham College and Dulwich Prep

? Monday 11th - Friday 15th August 2025
Eltham College and Dulwich Prep

? Monday 18th - Friday 22nd August 2025
Dulwich Prep

We are launching two weeks at Eltham College and three weeks at Dulwich Prep. If successful, we are hoping to run our Forest School Camps in line with our other camps: running between 10 - 13 weeks per year.

Closing Date and Interviews

The closing date for applications is

Sunday 22nd June 2025.

Interviews will be held in person at our office in Blackheath on

Thursday 26th June 2025.

If you are interested in applying for this role you MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION ON OUR WEBSITE: https://thehive-kids.com/pages/jobs

Please do not just apply via Indeed. Due to safer recruitment practices we cannot accept applications through Indeed alone.

Job Types: Temporary, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 3 weeks

Pay: 760.00-925.00 per week

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Application question(s):

Do you have a Level 3 in Early Years qualification or QTS? Do you have a Level 3 Forest School qualification?
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 22/06/2025
Expected start date: 04/08/2025