Job Description

Woodland Operations & Support Assistant

Employment Type:

Full Time OR Job Share

Hours:

Hours:

Full-time, Monday-Friday, Typical working hours

8:30am - 4:30pm,

(Earlier starts may be required for WildTots sessions or events)

Salary:

Starting at 12.21 per hour, PAYE reviews in April 2026

Location:

GroWild Kindergarten, Unit 3 Sapphire House, Roundtree Way, Sprowston, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 8SQ.

Why Join GroWild?

At GroWild, we're more than just a nursery -- we're a community. Led by passionate women and driven by a pioneering spirit, we strive to lead the way in the childcare industry. We are committed to creating a nurturing, respectful and supportive environment not only for the children in our care, but for the team who make GroWild what it is.

We believe in collaboration, strong systems, evidence-based practice and the power of nature to support wellbeing, learning and growth -- for adults as much as children. If you value meaningful work, teamwork and being part of something purpose-led, you'll feel at home here.

Imagine your working day spent outdoors in our beautiful woodland setting -- supporting calm routines, keeping spaces flowing and organised, preparing snacks, resetting areas and helping everything run smoothly behind the scenes. Your role allows our educators to focus fully on children's learning, while you ensure the environment is safe, welcoming and ready for the magic to happen.

What You'll Gain

We invest in our people and take pride in offering a positive, well-supported working environment where every role is valued.

Consistent Hours:

A clear, daytime role that supports work-life balance.

Outdoor Working Environment:

Work in nature every day, in a calm and purposeful woodland setting.

Supportive Team Culture:

Be part of a respectful, collaborative team where everyone plays an important role.

Childcare Discounts:

50% off childcare fees for staff members' children.

Health & Wellbeing Support:

Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential advice and support.

Training & Development:

Access to core training including safeguarding, food hygiene and woodland practice, with opportunities to grow within the setting.

Stability & Purpose:

A clearly defined role with real impact on daily quality, flow and wellbeing across the nursery.

Team Connection:

Regular team events, staff initiatives and a strong sense of belonging within the GroWild community.

About the Role

As a

Woodland Operations & Support Assistant

at GroWild, you will play a vital role in the smooth day-to-day running of our forest school setting. This is

not an Early Years Educator or key-person role

. Instead, it is a practical, hands-on position focused on care routines, organisation, set-up, tidying and supporting the woodland environment. Your work enables educators to focus on children's learning and relationships, while you help maintain the calm, safe and well-prepared environment that underpins high-quality early years practice.

A Busy & Physically Demanding Role - Important to Know

This is a busy, physical and active role that takes place primarily outdoors in a woodland environment.

Applicants must:

Be comfortable working outdoors in all weathers (rain, cold, heat and mud included) Be physically able to manage tasks such as cleaning, lifting resources, moving equipment, tidying large spaces and being on their feet for much of the day. Be happy to get muddy, wet and hands-on as part of daily work. Understand that this is a high-energy, practical role, not a classroom-based or desk-based position

This role is deeply rewarding for the right person, but it is not light-duty.

Your Areas of ResponsibilityWoodland & Environment Support

Maintain safe, tidy and well-organised woodland and classroom spaces throughout the day. Reset learning areas after activities, snacks and transitions. Support the smooth flow of the daily routine.

Care & Routine Support

Support nappy changing and toileting routines in line with policies. Restock care and hygiene supplies. Support children during transitions and daily routines. Supporting EYFS ratios when undertaking care and supervision duties alongside educators.

Resource Preparation & Organisation

Preparing, cleaning and rotating learning resources Organising classroom and woodland spaces to support continuous provision Maintaining clear, accessible storage systems Supporting seasonal and curriculum-led set-ups

Food & Snack Support

Prepare, serve and clear snacks following food hygiene guidance. Clean food preparation areas and manage washing-up routines.

WildTots Sessions & Events

Support the set-up and break-down of WildTots sessions and events. Prepare woodland spaces, resources and snack areas ahead of sessions. Reset the site after events so it is ready for nursery use.

Cleaning & Site Standards

Daily cleaning of indoor and outdoor areas, including toilets, nappy-changing spaces and food preparation areas End-of-day and weekly deep cleaning routines Maintaining consistently high hygiene and presentation standards

Health, Safety & Safeguarding

Follow safeguarding, health & safety and hygiene procedures at all times. Maintain awareness of children's safety in the woodland environment. Report concerns promptly to the leadership team.

A Day in the Life at GroWild

8:30am

- You arrive, open and implement site checklists, clean and restock toilets and nappy areas, check supplies and begin preparing snack ingredients.

9:15am

- Children arrive. You are visible, calm and responsive -- supporting transitions, care routines and early-morning resets while keeping spaces organised and flowing.

Mid-morning

- Snack preparation and service. You support hygiene routines with children, clear down, wash up and reset areas. Short comfort breaks are taken as needed to hydrate or warm up.

Late morning / lunch period

- You support covering lunch routines with children alongside educators, ensuring calm transitions and clean, safe spaces. Once lunch cover is complete and ratios are secure, you take your protected lunch break.

Early afternoon

- You return to clean food prep areas, rotate and prepare resources, and reset spaces for the afternoon and following day.

Afternoon

- Ongoing care support, tidying, light cleaning, preparation and maintaining safe, organised environments.

End of day

- Full reset of indoor and outdoor spaces, deep cleaning key areas, restocking supplies and leaving the site fully prepared for the next day.

Every day is active, purposeful and varied.

Future Development Opportunities (Optional Progression)

For the right person, this role may develop over time into a hybrid operations / early years support role. This progression is not automatic and would only be considered where:

The core operational responsibilities of the role are being met consistently The individual demonstrates strong safeguarding practice, reliability and professionalism There is a clear business need and appropriate supervision in place
Any development would be structured, agreed in advance, and supported through training and supervision. The primary focus of the role remains operational support.

What We're Looking For

Highly organised, practical and reliable Physically able and happy working outdoors year-round Takes pride in clean, calm and well-run environments Able to work independently and use initiative Warm, respectful and professional with children and adults Interested in developing skills over time, while fully committing to the operational role

Experience in early years, care, schools, hospitality or outdoor settings is helpful, but not essential -- attitude, reliability and values matter most.

Salary & Benefits

Salary:

12.21 per hour, PAYE

Pension:

Contributory pension scheme

Childcare Discounts:

50% reduced fees for staff children

Health & Wellbeing:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Parking:

Free onsite parking

Training:

Core training provided (safeguarding, food hygiene, policies)

Support:

Ongoing guidance and clear role expectations
Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.

Ends.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 12.21 per hour

Benefits:

Childcare Company events Company pension Employee discount Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking
Application question(s):

This role is practical, physically demanding and largely outdoors. It involves cleaning, preparing food and resources, supporting care routines and keeping busy environments running smoothly.
Please briefly explain why this type of role suits you, and describe any experience that shows you are comfortable with this kind of work.

Do you have experience in early years, care, schools, hospitality, outdoor work or a similar hands-on role? If so, please tell us briefly. If not, what qualities, attitude or experiences do you have that would make you reliable and well-suited to this role?
Work Location: In person