Early Years Educator Baby Practitioner

A unique opportunity presents itself to join our Baby team. We pride ourselves on our specialised Baby provision and are searching for a nurturing individual who has a natural attunement to Babies.

You must have a desire to support Babies to thrive and reach their full potential. We are searching for someone with the passion, dedication, and commitment to do what it takes to ensure the Babies are living their best lives away from home, whilst being their voice and reflectively practicing high standards of care and education.

As a setting we are pioneering the way forward, in blending babies with older children within a natural setting. You would be responsible for caring and nurturing and keeping safe these small humans, whilst following their lead and filling their days with attentive care routines to help positive attachments.

About us

Forest School for Life is an award-winning setting, based on Silfield Street, NR18 9NL (near Wymondham). We are motivated to provide the best outcomes for children and families. Ensuring the children's natural curiosity and energy is harnessed. Embracing the Forest School ethos and the latest academic research to help instil fun, learning, teamwork, and resilience within an all-outdoor setting.

Our work environment includes:
An English woodland of 20 acres, filled with permaculture, nature ponds and various base camps with open fires and shelters. We cook fresh meals every day in our outdoor kitchen, which you can enjoy alongside the children.

We are a small team and are all supportive and enthusiastic about positive experiences for the children. We have regular supervisions to check in with your wellbeing and CPD. We have fortnightly team meetings to ensure smooth operational working and safeguarding.

Your Duties will include:

- Working with Babies (under twos) in a mixed age (Babies - 8 years) environment, in an all-outdoor setting involves being enthusiastic, energetic, fun, playful and resilient role model.
- Being a key worker for up to 6 Babies throughout the week and taking responsibility for proactively ensuring they have the best possible experience in our care.
- Attending to care routines for children of all ages and abilities.
- Following our Bigger than Us curriculum to instil a sense of responsibility and independence in all the children.
- Working within Nature to teach the children about healthy foods and lifestyles through our Permaculture programmes.
- Safeguarding is the life blood of our setting, you are expected to follow policies and practices to ensure that you keep the children, families and yourself safe.
- Working in a Child Led environment requires effective observational skills to track the children’s development and feed information back into families and work closely with a small team.
- Have strong ICT skills to create and upload annual reports on the children’s development.
- Take part in regular supervisions and team meetings to ensure communication is effective.
- Identify and manage risk assessments day to day, with the children.
- Plan exciting activities with the children to engage their learning and move them through their next steps.
- Collaborate with families confidently to discuss the children’s wellbeing and development daily/upon request.
- Be willing to take on regular training and keep up to date with mandatory safeguarding, first aid, food hygiene and STEPS training.
- Be willing to undertake Forest School level 1 training within the first year of joining.

Requirements for the position:

- Enhanced DBS on auto renewal (and two references)
- Passion for nature and the environment
- A good sense of humour and transparent way of working
- Qualifications and experience in working with early years/teaching
- Strong knowledge of Forest School philosophy
- An awareness and understanding of Safeguarding
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Physical fitness for working outdoors in all weather conditions
- Valid driver's license

**Education**:

- Maths & English C’s GCSE (or equivalent)
- Minimum Level three Diploma in Early Years
- Minimum Level one Forest School (or willingness to undertake)

**Experience**:
Previous experience in early years or teaching, and a strong desire to develop an exciting career in Early Years specifically an outdoor Forest School.

**Benefits**:

- Continuous investment in your training
- Pension
- Regular supportive Supervisions & Wellbeing checks
- Paid time off and holidays (increase each year you stay with us)

Expected hours: 0730 - 1700 Monday - Thursday

**Salary**: Starting on Minimum wage, reviewed termly.

Trial period: 3 months

Pay: From £11.44 per hour

Expected hours: 36 per week

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Employee discount
- Free parking

School type:

- Private nursery school

**Education**:

- A-Level or equivalent (required)

**Experience**:

- Nursery: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In perso