Join Our Team as a Nursery or Forest School Practitioner

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing — little humans and big humans alike. At Little Green Rascals Tadcaster Road, we’re welcoming Qualified Nursery Practitioners, Unqualified Nursery Practitioners, and Forest School Practitioners to join our community.

Whether you’re bringing an Early Years qualification, taking your first steps into childcare, or sharing your love of outdoor learning, you’ll help create moments that build children’s confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging.

Bring your ideas, kindness, and willingness to learn. We’ll support you to develop your practice and feel proud of the difference you make.

Why Join Our Team?

We take care of the people who care for our children and families. Here’s what that means for you:

• Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.

• Time to recharge: 31 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years of service.

• Space to grow: Access to The National College, with a library of courses and training to develop your practice and leadership.

• Connection to your community: One paid day each year to volunteer and support a cause that matters to you.

• Everyday support: With access to Perkbox, enjoy discounts on shopping, meals out, and everyday essentials, alongside wellbeing tools and online medical services. You’ll also be eligible for a Blue Light Card, helping your money go further with even more discounts.

• Recognition along the way: We celebrate the care and commitment you bring, with Employee of the Month recognition, long-service awards to mark your milestones, and referral bonuses for introducing friends or family to our team.

Pay: £26,436 - £27,955 per annum, based on role, qualifications, and experience.(based on 40 hours)

Hours: 38 hours over 4 days, Monday to Friday from 8am-6pm

Location

Little Green Rascals Children's Day Nursery Tadcaster Road
312 Tadcaster Road
York
North Yorkshire
YO24 1HF

Where You'll Be Working

Our nursery is based in a three-storey Victorian townhouse, set back from the road opposite York Racecourse. A bus stop directly outside offers regular connections into and out of the city, with parking options for staff a short distance away.

Our Forest School is just 10 minutes away in a peaceful woodland setting. This dedicated outdoor classroom gives children space to explore, follow their curiosity, and build a connection with nature.

From woodland discoveries to planting organic fruit and vegetables they can later enjoy eating, children experience the rewards of caring for the world around them.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll support children through play, care, and connection, getting to know their interests and helping them feel confident to try something new.

With responsibilities matched to your role, experience, and qualifications, you’ll:

• Help create a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued, and free to be themselves

• Plan or support play-based experiences aligned with the EYFS and shaped around children’s interests and needs

• Notice and celebrate children’s development, contributing to observations and records with guidance where needed

• Build positive relationships with families, sharing updates and listening to what matters to them

• Support everyday routines, including meals, personal care, and rest, with patience and attention

• Follow safeguarding, safety, and hygiene procedures, asking for support whenever you’re unsure

• Work closely with colleagues, sharing ideas and learning from one another

For our Forest School Practitioner opportunity, you’ll also help children explore the woodland environment through child-led play and discovery. You’ll support safe outdoor experiences, care for resources and the natural environment, and help children develop confidence, independence, and resilience.

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. That means being reliable, listening with care, and working together to turn curiosity into meaningful experiences for children.

What We’re Looking For

We’re welcoming people at different stages of their Early Years journey:

• Qualified Nursery Practitioners: You must hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

• Unqualified Nursery Practitioners: No formal qualification is required. Previous childcare experience would be beneficial, but kindness, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn matter too.

• Forest School Practitioners: We’d love to hear about your outdoor learning experience and any Early Years or Forest School qualifications you hold. Our Recruitment Team can talk you through the requirements for this opportunity.

Across all roles, we’re looking for:

• A genuine interest in supporting children’s learning and development

• A caring, attentive approach that recognises each child’s individuality

• Creativity and curiosity, with a willingness to follow children’s interests

• A friendly, collaborative approach to working with families and colleagues

• A commitment to safeguarding and maintaining high standards of care

• Openness to feedback and enthusiasm for your own learning

You don’t need to arrive knowing everything. You do need to bring care, reliability, and the confidence to ask questions.

Apply Today!

Whether you’re starting out, building on your experience, or looking to bring your love of nature into your working day, we’d love to hear from you.

Let us know which opportunity interests you when you apply, and tell us what you’d bring to our nursery community.

Please note: we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for these roles.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, verification of your right to work in the UK, and any essential qualifications. If successful, our Onboarding Team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to support fairness and accessibility for all candidates. These roles involve regulated activity with children.

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