Forest schools, Nature schools, Outdoor schools

Position: Forest School Educator / Facilitator
Organization: Nurture the Nature Forest School
Location: Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario

Start Date: Fall 2026
Schedule: Thursdays, approximately 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Potential for additional days/hours and an extended position as enrollment grows

About the Position

Nurture the Nature Forest School is a child-led, play- and nature-based learning program where children are given the time and space to explore, take appropriate risks, follow their curiosity, build relationships with the natural world, and develop confidence through meaningful experiences outdoors.

We are currently seeking a Forest School Educator/Facilitator to join our team on Thursdays beginning Fall 2026, with the possibility of additional days/hours and extending the position as our programs grow.

We are looking for someone who has meaningful experience working with children outdoors and a strong understanding of Forest School philosophy and child-led learning. While formal teaching experience is welcomed, we are especially interested in educators with backgrounds in Forest and Nature School, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, outdoor education, Early Childhood Education, or other child-centred and inquiry-based approaches.

Our ideal educator understands that their role is not simply to plan and deliver adult-directed activities. They are comfortable observing children's interests, following emerging ideas, asking thoughtful questions, and intentionally creating learning invitations and provocations that encourage children to explore, experiment, problem-solve, create, and deepen their learning.

Our programs run primarily outdoors in all seasons and weather, with an indoor backup space available when conditions require it.

Who We're Looking For

Above all, we're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys being outdoors with children.

You are curious, creative, flexible, observant, and comfortable with days that don't always go according to plan. You understand the value of slowing down and allowing children's interests to shape where the day may lead.

You recognize the learning that happens through climbing a tree, building a shelter, investigating an insect, creating with loose parts, navigating a disagreement, asking questions about something discovered on the trail, or spending an afternoon deeply engaged in a self-created project.

You should be comfortable balancing child-led exploration with intentional educator support, knowing when to step in with an invitation, question, resource or new possibility—and when to step back and allow children to lead.

We value educators who are collaborative, empathetic, dependable, inclusive, environmentally conscious, and excited to continue learning alongside both children and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the team to co-create and facilitate a dynamic, seasonal Forest School program rooted in children's interests and the natural environment.
• Observe children's play, interests and questions and use these observations to support an emergent curriculum.
• Design and set up thoughtful learning invitations, provocations and environments using natural materials, loose parts, tools and other open-ended resources.
• Facilitate outdoor experiences including nature exploration, hiking, games, storytelling, creative projects, tool use, shelter building and other seasonal experiences.
• Engage meaningfully with children during both facilitated experiences and child-led play.
• Support children's social-emotional development, independence, problem-solving and confidence.
• Prepare and maintain learning spaces, program materials and outdoor equipment, including tarps and shelters.

• Support children in engaging in developmentally appropriate risky play while maintaining appropriate safety practices.
• Complete daily site/risk assessments and incident documentation when required.
• Communicate observations, successes or concerns with families when appropriate.
• Document children's experiences and learning through photographs and observations.
• Communicate with the program lead regarding materials, children's needs and program planning.
• Participate in occasional paid staff meetings, planning and professional learning.
• Be willing to develop outdoor skills and share personal interests, knowledge and skills with the children.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Experience working directly with children outdoors
• Strong understanding of Forest School philosophy and child-led learning
• Experience working with children within approximately the 4–13 age range
• Understanding and appreciation of emergent curriculum, inquiry-based learning, play- and place-based learning, loose parts and developmentally appropriate risky play
• Ability to observe children's interests and translate those observations into meaningful learning opportunities, invitations or provocations
• Current First Aid/CPR, or willingness to obtain before beginning
• Current Vulnerable Sector Check

• Ability to comfortably spend a full program day outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including walking over uneven terrain, carrying program materials/backpacks, bending and kneeling
• Strong communication, collaboration and organizational skills
• Commitment to inclusive and respectful practice
• Commitment to continued learning about Indigenous perspectives, land-based knowledge and building respectful relationships with Indigenous community members

Assets

We welcome applicants from a variety of educational backgrounds. Assets may include:

• Forest and Nature School Practitioner training or significant Forest School experience
• Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf or other alternative/child-centred educational experience
• Early Childhood Education (ECE)
• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
• Child and Youth Care or outdoor/environmental education
• Experience creating learning invitations and provocations
• Knowledge of local plants, trees, wildlife and ecosystems
• Outdoor skills such as fire building, shelter building, navigation, foraging, whittling or other tool use
• Environmental or ecological education
• Experience facilitating mixed-age groups
• A personal skill, interest or area of knowledge that could enrich children's experiences outdoors

Formal Forest School certification is an asset, but we are also interested in educators whose experience, philosophy and approach demonstrate a strong fit with our program.

Hours

The current position is for Thursdays beginning Fall 2026. Program hours are 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., with staff generally scheduled from approximately 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. to allow for setup and end-of-day debriefing.

There is the possibility of additional days/hours and continuing or expanding the position as enrollment and programming grow.

Occasional staff meetings and scheduled planning meetings are paid.

To Apply

Please send your resume along with a brief introduction explaining your experience working with children outdoors and what interests you about Forest School education to:

Brittany Gillingham
Nurture the Nature Forest School
nurturethenature.forestschool@gmail.com

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

Please visit Nurture the Nature Forest School online to learn more about our philosophy and programs.