Assistant Forest Preschool Educator
Direct Supervisor: Director(s)
Status: Part-time salaried
Hours: Two to five days, Monday through Friday 8:30am - 1:30pm
Ten months: August through May

School-sponsored activities attendance required (for example, picnics and parent orientation)

Site: Varied outdoor locations

Salary: TBD

Start Date: August 2022

Position Overview

Educators at Little Mountain Forest School are passionate about providing a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourages their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in an outdoor, nature-based setting. Educators support the development and implementation of programs and activities that promote the social, emotional and physical development of every child enrolled. Children of the school directors may be attending Little Mountain Forest School and under the care of the preschool educator(s) during school hours. 

Educators must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong leadership skills and have the ability to work well with others. All our educators must demonstrate the ability to nurture and promote positive growth in children, be energetic, compassionate, and culturally sensitive and aware.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead educator in implementation of the daily program of activities based on principles of child development and in accordance with the program’s goals and objectives
• Meet the emotional, social, and physical needs of each child
• Deliver daily activities, learning, and experiences consistent with the Cedarsong Way
• Observe each child daily to assess skills, interests, and needs and use this information to facilitate learning and growth
• Dress appropriately for weather conditions and maintain positive attitude and in all types of weather
• Assist the lead educator in documenting and recording children’s behaviors, progressions, and development in a report form to share with the parents
• Establish a positive relationship with each child’s family and share information about the child’s time at Little Mountain Forest School
• Assist lead educator in daily site assessment of the outdoor site before each session, making sure all hazards are properly assessed and amended to provide a safe environment for children
• Work with the director(s) and teaching team to provide ideas for site enhancement
• Write and distribute accident and incident reports
• Take photos of nature finds and students and upload them to shared photo album for marketing
• Assist lead educator in supervising age-appropriate activities: monitor, direct, protect, encourage, and nurture children. Keep eyes on at least 6 students at all times.
• Develop a positive relationship with each child and promote the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, and respect for themselves, others, and the environment
• Comfort children and build children’s self-esteem using gentle discipline and positive communication
• Foster reasoning and problem solving through active exploration and an increasing level of interaction
• Maintain a safe, clean, fun, and healthy environment for children
• Work independently and as a team with other school staff
• Attend required training and continuing education
• Know, follow and enforce all safety guidelines associated with each program and all program areas
• Attend monthly staff meetings, Monday check-ins, and monthly 1:1 meetings with the director(s) and/or team as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• College degree required
• Prior early childhood education experience preferred, as is a willingness to continue professional development
• Must be able to obtain Clearance of State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect
• Must be able to pass a Criminal History Background Information Check
• Maintain a valid First Aid and CPR (Note: the school will support this professional development)
• Current with Cedarsong Way training (Note: the school will support this professional development)
• Current with positive parenting training, for example, Love and Logic (Note: the school will support this professional development)
• Ability to walk over uneven terrain for up to 3 miles at a time without difficulty and while supervising a group of children.
• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds for a quarter of a mile intermittently.