Croft-Corner-Logo_Finished-smallName of Organisation (Employer): Croft Corner Forest School Nursery

Position being advertised (Job title): Forest School Practitioner

Salary (per week, month, year OR negotiable, not applicable): £17,000

Location (where is this job based?): Sheffield

Explain how applicants should contact you / apply: Please apply by way of CV and covering letter to info@forestschoolnursery.co.uk

Closing date for applications : on going recruitment

Job description:

Forest School Practitioner – Job Description

Within Croft Corner Forest School Nursery:

•     Children have a choice in what activities they undertake.

•     Practitioners observe children carefully in order to plan for next steps.

•     Practitioners introduce relevant skills, knowledge and resources based on what the children are interested in and need to develop.

•     Practitioners set up children to achieve by breaking tasks into small achievable chunks.

•     Activities are open – no right or wrong way of doing things (exceptions to this are health and safety procedures).

The types of outdoor activities children undertake within Croft Corner Forest School Nursery may include the following, and countless more. Activities selected will depend on the learner’s age, stage of development and interests:

•     Field Studies Activities – mini beast hunts, pond dipping, tree identification, bird watching, life cycle games.

•     Sensory Activities – games to do with colour, smell, sound, touch, blindfold games.

•     Bushcraft – shelter building, knot use, fire lighting and cooking, wild foods, whittling.

•     Woodland crafts – willow crafts, natural jewellery, weaving, natural dyes, traditional crafts.

•     Teambuilding and trust games – blindfold games, circle games, problem solving activities, team games.

•     Wildlife conservation – tree planting, nest box construction, coppicing, fence/path building.

•     Imaginative activities – story telling, drama, role play, songs.

•     Physical play – tree climbing, balancing, log dragging, digging.

•     Construction – shelter building, rafts, rope swings, tree houses, pulleys.

Person specification

The Forest School Practitioner will be expected to provide high quality, inspirational sessions for children from 3-8 year olds (hopefully rising to 11 years old). We are looking for someone who is passionate about working outdoors and bringing the joys of nature closer to children.

We are looking for an individual who is ideally a qualified teacher/EYP or level 3 NVQ childcare practitioner who is also an experienced Forest School practitioner with a level 3 qualification who is familiar with delivery and assessment of quality Outdoor Learning provision or who is working towards this.

Main Responsibilities

•     To promote the Forest School and Outdoor Learning ethos.

•     To be responsible at all times for high standards of care and education of all group members in accordance with Forest School procedures and other legislative statutory requirements.

•     To ensure effective communication with the rest of the team, children and with all partner organisations

•     To identify and maintain equipment and resources for the sessions.

•     To supervise, observe, mentor and support children from 3 years old until 8 years old.

•     The Forest School Practitioner must work to Croft Corner policies about Child protection, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Confidentiality.

•     The Forest School Practitioner will be expected to build good working relationships at every level. Working in partnership with children and stakeholder organisations is highly valued and The Forest School Practitioner must be approachable, friendly and able to communicate effectively at all times.

•     At all times The Forest School Practitioner will be expected to respect the confidentiality of sensitive information (subject to child protection policies and procedures).

•     Act as key worker to a group of children.

•     Keep up to date records of achievement that are shared with parents and used as a basis for planning.

•     Work alongside other staff, plan, develop and carry out a range of age-appropriate activities.

•     Liaise with parents/carers and other staff.

•     Undertake certain domestic jobs (e.g. preparing for some meals and snacks, cleaning of equipment, clearing away of equipment and ensuring that health and safety requirements are met).

•     Be willing to attend training and development courses.

•     Attend regular staff meetings.

Work Environment

a) Work Demands

The Forest School Practitioner will need to demonstrate effective time and resource management to meet the planned needs of children and any anticipated demands that might be reasonably foreseen. The post holder will need to be attentive to a planned timetable whilst retaining the flexibility to be accessible and available to meet learner needs.

b) Physical Demands

The work requires moderate levels of physical effort. It involves lifting and handling of equipment, play equipment and other resources and to be involved in practical activities and physical care of children and the physical woodland environment. You are required to be a role model for the staff and children you work with.

Knowledge and Skills

•     Level 3 Forest Schools Practitioners or working towards.

•     Knowledge, understanding and practical experience of Forest School provision for young children and youth.

•     Knowledge and practical understanding of child development and pedagogy.

•     Knowledge and understanding of legislation and regulations relating to day to day running of Forest Schools provision for young children and youth and the inspections process for approval of such settings.

•     Knowledge and ability to create and implement policies and procedures consistent with legislation, regulations and local requirements.

•     Able to work independently and to manage own time efficiently.

•     Warm and caring personality – friendly and approachable to children.

•     Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels.

•     Commitment to equal opportunities for all children.

•     Understanding of the Forest School Ethos and be able to apply this throughout all working practice, both with staff and children.

Other Duties

The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not restrictive and the post holder may be required to undertake any other duties which may be required from time to time. Any such duties should not, however, substantially change the general character of the post.

Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding

The post holder must carry out his/her duties with full regard to Croft Corner’s Equal Opportunities Policy and our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Health and Safety

The post holder must carry out his/her duties with full regard to Croft Corner’s Health and Safety Procedures.

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