Job Description

At The Elves and Fairies Woodland Nursery finding time to experience nature is of high priority. Set in a beautiful environment in Edmondsham, between Cranborne and Verwood, our primarily outdoor nursery aims to bring out the creative and imaginative side of the children and to inspire a sense of wonder and reverence for nature through our holistic, friendly approach.

We believe that the closer to nature the children are the more they will gain from their education. The children experience a simple "old fashioned" childhood, as we deliver the EYFS curriculum through play and taking part in everyday tasks e.g. preparing the lunch, collecting sticks for the fire, washing up, tending vegetables. Groups are kept small with a maximum of 15 children at any one time, allowing staff the chance to get to know the children really well and enabling the children to build close, trusting relationships with both staff and their peers. This, together with being able to play imaginatively and creatively in a safe, natural environment, allows the children to grow in confidence and develop positive self esteem, which in turn, will lead to confidence and independence as young adults.

During our sessions the children go for woodland walks and picnics, jump in puddles, chase butterflies and clamber over fallen branches, wallow in the mud pit, make secret potions, smell flowers, rain, and damp leaves, grow vegetables and herbs for camp fire cooking, listen to birdsong, the cracking of ice and the wind in the trees. They feel at one with nature, enjoying themselves in all but the most inclement of weather, when we retreat to our cosy cabin, hidden in the woods.

As well as the very active outdoor life that the children lead, they also have a rich creative life, painting, clay modelling, singing, dancing, story telling, sewing, baking bread etc.

If you have lots of energy and love being outdoors in all weathers, this may be the job for you. Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, strength, stamina, love of nature and the changing seasons are an absolute necessity.

We are looking for one full time or two part time members of staff who are confident and experienced in leading the EYFS curriculum and hold at least a Level 3 qualification in EY education. We would like them to be experienced Level 3 Forest School practitioners if possible but if they don't already hold this qualification, be keen to start training as soon as possible.

We are also looking for relief members of staff to cover holidays and sickness. We have 2 settings, one in Edmondsham and one in West Moors, where we have an under 2s group and a 2 - 6 year old Forest School group. You may be interested in covering one particular group or you may be flexible and happy to cover all groups.

Kindergarten sessions for children aged 2 - 6 run term time only from Mon - Thurs. The working day starts at 8.15am and ends at 4.45pm. On Fridays a Home Education Forest School Group runs between 10am and 2pm and on Mondays the Toddler Group session is from 10am -12 noon. During most of the school holidays we run "Adventure in the Woods" Forest School holiday sessions 4 days a week and take children between 3 and 11 years of age.

Applicants should send a copy of their Cv and a covering letter, telling us about themselves, to

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

Pay: 12.50-13.50 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 39 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Discounted or free food Employee discount Free parking
Ability to commute/relocate:

Wimborne BH21 5RF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):

Must be able to get to Edmondsham. There are no buses or trains.
Education:

A-Level or equivalent (required)
Experience:

Nursery : 4 years (required)
Language:

English (required)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person