Forest Preschool Teacher

Job Summary     
The Forest Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for the implementation of curriculum at Forest Preschool, a nature-based preschool and childcare for children ages 2 – 5 years old in Leakin Park. Implementation includes supervision, curriculum development, communication with families, and maintaining a safe, developmentally appropriate classroom and outdoor environment. Position includes professional development and on-going evaluation. The part-time Forest Preschool Lead Teacher will work 30 hours a week, between the hours of 7:30 am – 5:00 pm. Each workday includes a 30-minute, unpaid break.   The position includes embodying Forest Preschool’s commitment to nature education and requires thoughtful planning for learning experiences (primarily outdoors) to help children feel more confident engaging in the natural world while preparing them with the skills they need to be successful in their future school experiences. The Forest Preschool Lead Teacher collaborates with the teaching team to deliver intentional and responsive care. Position reports to Director of Forest Preschool.

Essential Functions     

• Collaborates to implement site-specific nature-based, emergent early childhood curriculum for children ages 2 – 5 years old.
• Implements best practices and policies for young children and families; provides intentional and responsive care to children in program through process of child-caregiver attachment theory
• Responsible for maintaining a safe indoor/outdoor environment that supports child-led, developmentally appropriate play and meets MSDE licensing requirements
• Communicates regularly with current families about the children’s progress and individual needs of children in order to ensure success of program
• Produces documents (written, photo and video) and manages materials (child artifacts and work samples) that document child learning
• Responsible for authentic assessment of children in program, to be shared in biannual conference reports and in parent-teacher conferences
• Responsible for collaboration with Forest Preschool team and Carrie Murray Nature Center naturalists to ensure delegation of tasks as it relates to efficiency of class
• Implements and evaluates extended events for childcare and preschool families
• Maintains anecdotal evidence and observations to inform individual child’s assessment
• Assists in weekly email to families, updating them on group’s experiences and learning
• Cleans shared spaces including outdoor classroom, bathrooms, diapering areas, kitchen, etc.
• Writes Daily Notes to be sent home with children, including information about caregiving routines and daily explorations