Early Years Educator - Little Peanuts Day Nursery and Forest School

Little Peanuts Day Nursery and Forest School is a unique early years setting, nestled within 2 acres of natural outdoor space on the edge of Wheldrake.

Our environment has been thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and exploration. Guided by The Curiosity Approach, we provide rich, open-ended opportunities for children to learn through play, both indoors and outdoors. Our Forest School and extensive outdoor provision are a central part of daily life, supporting children to develop confidence, independence and a deep connection to the natural world.

We are proud to offer a truly special place to work - where children are at the heart of everything we do, and where staff are supported, valued and encouraged to grow professionally.

We work in close partnership with families, colleagues and our wider community to create a nurturing, safe and inspiring environment where children truly thrive through play, exploration and meaningful relationships. Our focus is on supporting children to become confident, curious, independent and emotionally secure learners.

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Early Years Educator to join our team: someone who understands that early childhood is not just preparation for school, but a vital stage of life in its own right. Staff are our most valuable asset in ensuring that every Little Peanut is a unique and happy child: healthy, curious, confident, creative, independent and ready to explore.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early childhood education and a genuine drive to nurture and support the learning and development of young children through play.

Required qualifications

• a qualification in Early Childhood Education or equivalent is essential, Level 3 a minimum
• experience working with children in a nursery or childcare setting is highly desirable
• strong understanding of child development and play-based learning
• a warm, nurturing and reflective approach to practice
• excellent communication skills and a commitment to working in partnership with families
• a genuine passion for early years education

We take the safeguarding of children very seriously and the post carries a requirement for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring check.

Job benefits

Without staff who love coming to work, feel supported in their workplace and are able to be at their best, we cannot support our Little Peanuts children to reach their best. Therefore, we think it is vital to offer all our staff a comprehensive package. This includes:

• above average pay package with achievements and new qualifications rewarded
• generous annual leave allocation, with additional leave benefits available
• provision for sick leave and emergency dependency leave with full pay
• regular supervision meetings with focus on staff well-being across all aspects of nursery life
• time allocated for all staff for continuing professional development, with support for further training and career progression

If you would like to experience Little Peanuts for yourself, we warmly welcome visits to the nursery.

Located just south of York, we are approximately 7.4 miles (around 20 minutes) from the city centre.

• provider: Little Peanuts Day Nursery and Forest School
• hours: 30 to 40 hours a week
• rate of pay: From £26,800 per annum, based on qualifications and experience
• address:
  Little Peanuts Day Nursery, Millfield Industrial Estate, Wheldrake, York, YO19 6NA
• website: littlepeanutsdaynursery.co.uk

If you're interested in applying, contact Sarah Hardwell by email: [email protected], or telephone: 01904 217321.

This application closes Sunday 26 July 2026.