Lead Preschool Teacher
Lead Preschool Teacher
Posted on :
08-06-2025
Employer Active
1 Vacancy
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via emailValid email field required
Send jobs
Share
Send me jobs like this
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via emailValid email field required
Send jobs
Job Description
Who are we
We are a childcare program based out of the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum in Eliot ME. Our mission is to keep kids muddy which is accomplished by conducting our program fully outdoors in all weather types! Therefore our philosophy is that there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.
At Village Nest Cooperative we believe it takes a village to raise well-rounded naturalists and inspire future confidence in learning environments. Studies show that children who spend more time outside in unstructured settings are more confident in making decisions working cooperatively and thinking creatively.
We are passionate about raising youth to become environmental and social stewards. To live sustainably children need to learn how to interact respectfully and safely with the natural world. Our teachers practice sustainability and environmental conscience throughout their lives. Environmental and social change as well as activism can only be possible if we inspire our smallest community members to have a voice and take action for change.
A Day in the Life
You will start the morning by preparing the classroom for the activities ahead in the day. Then students will trickle down into the classroom to meet you. You will conduct a morning meeting and fuel the body up with a snack before beginning your morning work activities. Morning work activities will relate to the interests expressed through childrens play and the environment. We strive to nurture children in a child-led emergent environment. The class will gather again for lunch and then settle into a peaceful nap time. After a nap students will gather for an afternoon snack pack up and join the younger classroom.
Responsibilities
A Lead Teacher is responsible for the following:
- The well-being of the children under their care
- Completing risk and hazard assessments to ensure students are playing and interacting with one another in a safe environment
- Monitoring the children all day using active supervision
- Perform first aid as needed for scrapes or cuts and administer medication to children with allergies or other medical conditions
- Providing the proper attention and ensuring students are engaged and having fun
- Change diapers of children between 2.5 - 5 years old
- Ensure good hygiene habits are followed and formed
- Cleaning interactive areas and materials throughout the day
- Organizing activities and developing curriculum for the older children
- Develop and maintain a schedule and routine for the children throughout the day and week
- Record each childs progress interests and any problem that may occur (this looks like creating academic reports incident/accident reports messaging parents etc.)
- Maintaining contact with the childrens parents throughout the day and contacting them in the case of an emergency
Qualifications
Lead Teachers must be skilled in interacting with and providing care for children of various ages. Some of the most important skills they should have include :
- Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with children
- Strong verbal communication and listening skills to converse with children fellow professional caregivers and parents/guardians
- Excellent patience and stamina for keeping up with the demands of children of all ages
- Advanced multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple children at a time
Teachers are required to:
- Pass 3 types of background checks
- Be willing to obtain and maintain certifications in CPR and First Aid.
- Complete 30 hours of Professional Development training annually
- Lift and maintain 40 lbs be on your feet for long periods of time and run and physically endure being outside for 8 hours a day regardless of weather
- Have a GED or higher (BS or BA in Early Childhood Education is preferred)
- Preference will come to those with 1 years of experience in education.
- Preference will come to those with 1 years of experience in education.
Job Specifics
** You will receive a sign-on bonus of $300 if you are already fingerprinted in the State of Maine after 90 days of service! **
Hours: (Full-time) Monday through Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
Salary: $20-$22 per hour
Benefits: paid time off paid training opportunities gear stipend etc.
How to start your journey with us
Send your resume and briefly explain why you want to work outside with children.
Contact person: Jess Labbe
Non-discrimination Statement
Village Nest Cooperative is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and education. VNC does not discriminate against individuals based on race gender ethnicity sexual orientation religion disability age or veteran status in the administration of admission policies education policies employment policies and other school activities and programs.
Compensation: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour
Our History
The Village Nest Cooperative grew out of an immediate need and desire to keep our forest school formerly at the Kittery Community Center open during the COVID-19 Epidemic. No one could have imagined the magic that would unfold after that immediate need. When the Global Pandemic closed the program Jess knew she needed to do something to help families in the community and she acted. Within just three months she was able to open Maines first fully-outdoor Preschool program.
At our new nest our families and team are committed to supporting our children to socialize and grow to their potential in the best learning environment possible: the forest. This also happens to be a safer environment to play and teach during COVID. Children laugh play and thrive in their outdoor environment with opportunities to be fully immersed in nature-play.
When asked why Forest Play the answer is simple: I was sick of having children kicked out of my indoor classroom due to neurodivergence and development that were beyond the control of the child or their parents. Outdoors children have less unnatural stimuli and are able to grow according to their own needs. We are able to focus on self-regulation and teaching emotional intelligence so that children can thrive rather than be expected to do things that their bodies are simply not developed enough or ready for! Outdoor education needs to be accessible for all!
Children do everything they would do inside but we do it outside without the walls. We have a seasonal reverse or emergent curriculum where children get to decide what they want to learn about and educators facilitate and support that learning by matching the standards to the lessons that are already organically happening. We even nap outdoors under the tree canopy.
Our mission is a very simple one: KEEP KIDS MUDDY! We want to keep the childhood in Early Childhood Education and allow children to do their work... PLAY!
At our new nest our families and team are committed to supporting our children to socialize and grow to their potential in the best learning environment possible: the forest. This also happens to be a safer environment to play and teach during COVID. Children laugh play and thrive in their outdoor environment with opportunities to be fully immersed in nature-play.
When asked why Forest Play the answer is simple: I was sick of having children kicked out of my indoor classroom due to neurodivergence and development that were beyond the control of the child or their parents. Outdoors children have less unnatural stimuli and are able to grow according to their own needs. We are able to focus on self-regulation and teaching emotional intelligence so that children can thrive rather than be expected to do things that their bodies are simply not developed enough or ready for! Outdoor education needs to be accessible for all!
Children do everything they would do inside but we do it outside without the walls. We have a seasonal reverse or emergent curriculum where children get to decide what they want to learn about and educators facilitate and support that learning by matching the standards to the lessons that are already organically happening. We even nap outdoors under the tree canopy.
Our mission is a very simple one: KEEP KIDS MUDDY! We want to keep the childhood in Early Childhood Education and allow children to do their work... PLAY!
Employment Type
Full-Time
Key Skills
Report This Job
Disclaimer: Drjobpro.com is only a platform that connects job seekers and employers. Applicants are advised to conduct their own independent research into the credentials of the prospective employer.We always make certain that our clients do not endorse any request for money payments, thus we advise against sharing any personal or bank-related information with any third party. If you suspect fraud or malpractice, please contact us via contact us page.
