Nature-Based Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Turtle Island Children's Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that offers a year-round play and nature-based early childhood program for infants through pre-Kindergarteners. Our picturesque campus is located on Country Club Road in Montpelier, Vermont, a place where children can explore, learn, and thrive. Early childhood is a time of remarkable growth, both intellectually and emotionally, and our experienced educators provide a nurturing environment to support their discoveries. We spend most of our days outdoors, exploring the trails and surrounding natural beauty, and our operating hours are 8:00am - 3:30pm. Most teachers work from 7:30-3:30 or 8-4.

This position is available starting June 2026 and offers a unique opportunity to join a dedicated team of educators who share a passion for early childhood education and a love for children.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for providing a safe, healthy, and stimulating environment that promotes the social, intellectual, physical, and emotional development of young children. This will involve working collaboratively with colleagues to create a responsive learning environment, observing and documenting children's learning, and communicating effectively with families and team members.

• Develop and implement engaging and interactive learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs and interests of children aged birth to five.

• Collaborate with colleagues to design and implement curriculum that supports children's social-emotional learning, problem-solving skills, and active citizenship.

• Maintain accurate records of children's progress, including observations, notes, and assessment data.

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues through effective communication, empathy, and respect.

• Supervise and engage with children at all times, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Core Qualifications*:

Associate's degree in early childhood education or related field, three years of experience or equivalent

• Show flexibility to work as a team member and a part of a learning community.

• Love and respect for children, teachers and the work of early childhood education

• Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry children up to 50 lbs

• Willingness to continue professional development in early childhood education or related field.

• Demonstrate basic understanding of the developmental needs of children from birth to six years old; responsiveness to the intellectual, emotional and social needs of children; ability to work with groups of children.

• Complete First Aid/CPR and other training upon hire

• Observe, document and encourage children’s long term learning through the practice of emergent curriculum that supports, among other things: relationship-building, self-confidence, problem-solving, social justice and active citizenship skills.

• Actively communicate effectively, professionally and respectfully with team members, administrators and families.

• Provide young children (birth to age 5) with a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally.

• Work collaboratively in a co-teaching team and with floating teachers, substitutes, administrators and other members of our school community to support the daily work of creating and maintaining a responsive learning environment.

We are seeking an individual who is passionate about early childhood education, has a strong understanding of child development, and is committed to creating a nurturing environment that promotes children's social, emotional, and cognitive growth. A bachelor's degree in education or a Vermont teaching license is highly desirable.

• Accrued combined sick/personal leave time at a rate of 7.85% of hours worked per pay period ( approximately 20 days paid leave annually)
• Paid program holidays, including school break weeks
• Professional development in-house opportunities and support
• A Direct Primary Care Plan: unlimited visits with nurse practitioner
• Wage/salary commensurate with experience & credentials
• Annual bonus
• 403(b) Retirement account
• Work within an incredible team of dedicated professionals
• 50% off childcare tuition at TICC for your child