Nursery Manager (outdoor forest school)

*Little Forest Folk are looking for a Nursery Manager to join London's leading outdoor nurseries across south west London.*

Do you have a sense of adventure? Do you love the outdoors and being connected to nature? If so, Little Forest Folk is for you! We provide children aged 2-5 years old a chance to explore the natural world around them. As a N*ursery Manager* you have the chance to develop our children's connection to nature, inspire their creativity, build their resilience and confidence to help them become children who are most likely to succeed in today's busy world!

*The* *Role*

As *Nursery Manager,* you’ll lead an experienced and accomplished team using your existing skills, experience and passion for child-led learning. You will follow children’s interests and scaffold their learning in extraordinary and enabling environments for play-based learning.

You'll love working with children, and although you'll be supernumerary, you will motivate, lead, role model to and inspire your team of practitioners and help them to grow as educators by spending half of your week in the forest playing with the children, not stuck in an office!

As a *Nursery Manager *you will be tasked with:

* Ensuring the smooth running of the day in the forest and at the indoor site
* Experience as a manager or deputy of a team
* You will role model and promote the setting’s philosophy and ethos
* You will bring your energy and creativity to the role
* You will be the children’s guide and assist in scaffolding an environment that encourages child-led, play-based learning
* Experience of working and implementing the EYFS statutory framework
* Good knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding children obligations
* Someone who is highly organised, reliable and a driven team-player
* Strong relationship-building and communication skills to build a rapport with parents and practitioners alike
* The ability to adapt quickly to changes, is flexible and uses their initiative on a daily basis

*Career Progression:*

* Excellent opportunity for someone with room leader experience. Who is passionate about Early Years Education and the outdoors
* Exciting career progression opportunities within the company
* Amazing training opportunities i.e. Forest School Qualification

*Job Title: *Deputy Manager
*Location:* South West London - Locations confidential, please apply for more details
*Start Date:* March/April 2026
*Salary*: Up to £37,000, depending on experience.

*What* *we* *are* *looking* *for* *in* *our* *ideal* *third in charge:*

* A minimum of Early Years Level 3 qualification or QTS/PGCE/EYTS
* Management experience
* Experience working with 2-5 year olds
* Forest school or outdoor experience is desirable but not essential
* A real passion for nature play and engaging children with the outdoors
* Sound knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework
* Good knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding children obligations
* Someone who is highly organised, reliable and a driven team-player
* Strong relationship-building and communication skills to build a rapport with parents and practitioners alike
* The ability to adapt quickly to changes, is flexible and uses initiative

*We* *believe* *in* *looking* *after* *the* *people* *who* *look* *after* *our* *children,* *so* *our* *educators* *enjoy* *a range* *of perks* *such* *as;*

* Starting with 28 days annual leave, inclusive of public holidays
* PLUS 1 additional day of annual leave after each full year of employment
* AND a day off on your birthday – everyone should spend their birthday eating cake, not at work
* 75% off of nursery fees for your little one across all of our LFF nurseries and Bright Stars Nursery Group nurseries (parent company)
* Funded Level 3 Forest School Qualification
* Career progression - gateway to growing into senior leadership and operational roles
* Professional development and in house training with leading names in the Early Childhood industry
* Social events throughout the year
* A fit, healthy, active job
* Discounts at our favourite outdoor retailers
* Bike to Work Scheme (with Cycleschme)
* Techscheme
* Cash back health plan(with Paycare)

*To apply *please send your *CV* *and* *a covering* *letter *explaining why you would like to join our exciting venture.

Little Forest Folk are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, and provide references that will be thoroughly vetted. We will also carry out a range of checks to ensure the suitability of candidates, including identity, full work history, right to work, and disqualification by association checks.

To learn more about what we do at Little Forest Folk, feel free to find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/littleforestfolk or try our website on www.littleforestfolk.com. Should you have any questions about the role, we'd love to hear from you!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £37,000.00 per year

Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Childcare
* Company events
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Referral programme
* Store discount



Experience:
* Early Years/Childcare: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:
* Early Years qualification (minimum level 3) (required)

Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person