Working at Rabbit Patch Day Nursery
Over the past couple of year the Early Years sector has really struggled with recruitment, it is a nationwide issue. With that being said here at Rabbit Patch we pride ourselves on not filing positions to make up numbers, we are focused on finding the right people for our setting.
We are building a team of individuals who have a common vision of providing a safe, caring and exciting environment for all of our children. We understand when meeting candidates and moving through the recruitment process with you, that we have a responsibility to ensure a safe, caring and exciting work environment for you also.
We have two of our management team, Chevelle and Adam on site who are always ready to help you through a situation, be it by giving advice, guidance or support about a child or parent/carer, helping with an activity or providing you with a safe space to talk about things which may be affecting you outside of work. Alex the owner of the business is always around and is not worried about coming in to work on the floor with the team when needed. Alex prides herself on working alongside everyone.
Some of the benefits of working with Rabbit Patch are:
- Discount off childcare – watch your child enjoy their days at Rabbit Patch.
- Competitive salary.
- Free meals – Our chefs prepare enough food for the staff to enjoy through the day.
- Day off for your birthday – on us!
- On site parking – We are a rural location, so driving is a must and our staff can park their cars easily.
- Dedicated staff room – We have a lovely staff room detached from the main building so staff can fully relax on their lunch breaks.
- Progression – There is possibilities for staff to gain more qualifications and responsibilities within the business.
- 5 days sick pay.
- 30 days holiday a year.
- Access to a Employee Assist Programme to support staff in their personal lives.
- An active team bonding schedule.
All candidates will be required to have a DBS and suitable references checks will be carried out.
If you are interested in working with us see below our available positions.
Please contact us by email at manager@rabbitpatchnursery.co.uk or call us on 01403 891976
2 positions available (August '26)
Outdoor leader & practitioner roles
Outdoor leader
Wage: £27,000 – £32,000 per annum
A woodland. A blank canvas. A chance to create something extraordinary.
Not everyone is right for this role.
Some people see a woodland and think about maintenance.
Some people see mud and think about cleaning.
Some people see rain and think about cancelling plans.
We see adventure, curiosity, resilience and endless opportunities for children to learn.
At our nursery, we believe children need more than classrooms. They need space to climb, build, explore, wonder, imagine, take risks, solve problems and connect with the natural world. Our woodland is at the heart of that vision, and we are looking for an exceptional Forest School & Woodland Lead to take full ownership of it.
This is not simply a Forest School practitioner role.
This is an opportunity to shape an outdoor learning environment, develop a woodland provision from the ground up, and create experiences that children will remember for years to come.
- The Role
As our Forest School & Woodland Lead, you will have full responsibility for our woodland area and outdoor learning provision.
You will be trusted to develop, manage and lead a woodland environment that inspires curiosity, confidence and a lifelong connection with nature.
You’ll have the freedom to bring your ideas, expertise and passion to the role, creating an outdoor learning experience that becomes a defining feature of our nursery.
From campfire circles and den building to seasonal projects, wildlife exploration and child-led adventures, you’ll be responsible for ensuring our woodland is a place where children thrive.
- What You’ll Be Responsible For
Woodland Leadership
Taking full ownership of the planning, development and day-to-day management of the woodland area.
Creating a vision for how the woodland evolves and grows over time.
Maintaining a safe, engaging and inspiring outdoor environment.
Managing resources, equipment and woodland learning spaces.
Conducting risk-benefit assessments and ensuring safe practice while preserving challenge and adventure.
Forest School & Outdoor Learning
Planning and leading high-quality Forest School sessions.
Delivering child-led learning experiences rooted in curiosity and exploration.
Supporting children to develop resilience, independence and confidence through managed risk-taking.
Introducing activities such as den building, fire lighting, tool use, nature crafts, wildlife observation and seasonal exploration.
Ensuring outdoor learning is accessible, inclusive and meaningful for all children.
Leadership & Collaboration
Working closely with nursery leaders to embed outdoor learning across the setting.
Inspiring and supporting colleagues to develop confidence in outdoor education.
Acting as the nursery’s champion for nature-based learning.
Building positive relationships with children, families and the wider team.
We’re Looking For Someone Who…
Believes childhood should be filled with adventure, wonder and exploration.
Understands that some of the most important learning happens when children are following their own interests.
Can balance risk and safety without removing challenge.
Sees a stick as more than a stick.
Is equally enthusiastic about a muddy January morning and a sunny July afternoon.
Has the creativity and vision to make a woodland come alive.
Can lead with confidence while remaining deeply child-centred.
- Essential Requirements
Forest School qualification (Level 3 preferred) or significant experience in outdoor education.
Strong understanding of child development and early years practice.
Experience leading groups of children outdoors.
Knowledge of risk-benefit assessment and outdoor safety procedures.
Excellent communication and organisational skills.
A genuine passion for outdoor learning and nature connection.
What We Offer
A unique opportunity to take full ownership of a woodland provision.
Freedom to shape, develop and leave your mark on an exciting outdoor learning environment.
A supportive leadership team that values creativity and innovation.
Ongoing professional development opportunities.
The chance to make a lasting impact on children’s confidence, wellbeing and love of learning.
Before You Apply…
Ask yourself:
Can you see learning in a puddle?
Can you turn a fallen branch into an adventure?
Can you help children discover confidence, resilience and wonder through nature?
If the answer is yes, we’d love to hear from you.
Practitioner role (Cherry Blossom's)
Wage: £27,000 – £30,000 per annum
Early Years Practitioner – Baby Room (10 Months – 2 Years)
Salary dependent on experience, starting at £27,000 upto £30,000
Must have own transport due to location.
We are looking for a dedicated and passionate practitioner to join Lara, Emma and Sasha in our Cherry Blossom baby room.
This is role requires you to work either 4 or 4.5 days a week/ 40hrs or 42.5hrs a week.
Contributing to the exciting activities and keeping up with the most in-demand room of the nursery. Trips down to the woods to explore the ever changing environment, picnics under the Willow tree, building up the children’s confidence & empathy by interacting with our small animals and the wider environment.
Our team is a team who enjoys spending their time with each other and children.
Joining our team will give you access to
- a close knit, happy team of dedicated individuals who are working together to create the best environment for the children who access our service.
- A supportive management team who know you and will work with you to provide resources you require to create the endless learning opportunities you wish.
- An environment which is always providing opportunities to interact with nature.
- A large private carpark & free hot meals through the day to share alongside the children or in our seperate on site staff room where you can unwind and relax for a while.
- A home-from-home environment where you can grow professionally and build friendships
A few words from Lara ( Cherry Blossom room lead)
Cherry Blossom’s is a room full of little friends who laugh with you, which provides fully immersive sensory play in a caring and happy environment. We are the room which lays the stepping stones into the most important years of a child’s life. We build strong relationships with the parents and work with them to develop and support their child. I’m looking for someone with a committed work ethic and good communication skills. Knowledge of the age range and able to adapt to routines and the needs of the nursery. Someone with leadership qualities to be able to step up when I am not present, and someone who has lots of fun and fresh ideas.
When you apply, tell us about a moment with a baby or toddler that reminded you why you chose a career in early years.
Because we’re not simply looking for another practitioner.
We’re looking for someone who will become part of a child’s earliest memories—helping them feel safe, loved, curious and ready to explore the world.
Please contact Chevelle at manager@rabbitpatchnursery.co.uk or call on 01403 891976
What better way than to hear it from the team themselves?!
Lovely place to work!I recently started working at Rabbit Patch Day Nursery and have been there about two months now, it’s a lovely setting with amazing surroundings in the countryside. The staff have all been lovely and friendly and have all made me feel very welcome and part of the team already. The Management team are very helpful and organised, The Salary is good and overall a nice place to work.
Fast pace, enjoyable, great team ethicRabbit Patch is a fantastic place to work and is lucky to have such a great outdoor space for our children to learn and explore. The team work well together, bouncing ideas for tuff trays and activities with each other, ensuring the children are having the best time and are continuously safe. Management are supportive when things get tough and get involved with rooms to help continue the development of our children!
Wonderful people, location and setting as a wholeOver the past few years at working with Rabbit Patch, I have been supported to achieve so much and more than I could have wished for. The management team, always go above and beyond to support and cater to the needs of the team – whatever it takes. Through the enjoyment of the children’s faces everyday – you can see how wonderful Rabbit Patch is! As a whole, I am very grateful for the company I work for and much I enjoy working for this lovely nursery!
The nursery is beautiful and the staff are very welcoming. The children are fun and have great manners and love spending their days at the setting that is clear.The setting is a great size with fantastic outdoor spaces including their own Rabbit Patch Woods. The experiences the children and staff get are limitless and support is always given. Further development for staff is taken very seriously and the manager and owner are very accommodating to the needs of every one.
After my child attending Rabbit patch for two years, I could see how much the staff and management put into each day to nurture, encourage and support the children here. The fun, learning, exploring and compassion for the children is endless. You can see the great effort from all staff shows how well they work as a team. The management are fantastic, very personable, supportive, encouraging. As a result of this, I now work at the nursery myself and see how on both sides, being a parent and employee of Rabbit Patch, this really is a fantastic environment to be in for the children and staff. Management are always on hand when needed, and their door is always open. I would highly recommend this nursery as a comfortable and thriving and supportive place to work!
The team at Rabbit Patch is full of dedicated people who want the best for children. They are really friendly and supportive of each other in all areas.
