Assistant Director Childcare

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Seeking Full-Time, Year-Round Assistant Director of Early Childhood Program and a Nature Educator for a pediatric nature-based early childhood program in Putnam, CT. Our early childhood program cares for children ages 6 weeks old to six years old.

If you are collaborative, innovative, and deeply committed to nature-connected learning, please apply with a cover letter and resume by August 1st 2026.

What You'll Do

• Minimum of 3 years of teaching experience or strong background in nature education, the arts and sciences, or related fields
• Minimum of 3 years of curriculum planning, development, and implementation,
• Ability to teach groups of children in traditional and non-traditional settings
• Ability to mentor teachers in nature based curriculum, children’s social and emotional development, and best practices set forth by the OEC
• Ability to assist center director in assigning meaningful and thought provoking visitors, trainings, workshops, and or webinars to increase teaching teams / students knowledge and gain continuing education
• Extensive knowledge of child development in order to ensure each classroom / learning area is equipped with age appropriate developmentally appropriate toys and or learning materials.
• Training and experience with special needs and at-risk children, helpful but not required.

Requirements

• Excellent communication skills
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to collaborate and work in a team environment
• Demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and ability to “think outside the box”
• High level of comfort with the outdoors
• High level of comfort with medically fragile children
• Genuine love of children, families and all things in art and nature
• Values an inclusive, holistic and community-driven approach to teaching and learning Physical Ability/General Requirements:
• Capable of walking on uneven, hilly ground, through snow and cold and rainy weather. • Capable of carrying 40 lbs outdoors.
• Minimum age of 21 years old
• Must pass a background check conducted through the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood BCIS agency
• Lead nature-based programming outdoors across all four seasons in all weather conditions
• Work directly with the teaching team and administrators to ensure that programs are delivered at a high level, with a focus on developmentally appropriate activities.
• Ability to be a dynamic team member working in a collaborative education setting.
• Model professional, ethical and safe behavior for staff, volunteers, and program participants
• When requested, maintain program properties and materials including infrastructure, gear, program materials, and bathroom facilities.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings throughout the program year. Administrative & Preparatory Work
• Create and present organized lesson plans each week to teaching team .
• Communicate with families consistently throughout the program year.
• Contribute to program curriculum and student / staff evaluations.
• Complete administrative tasks as required by school leadership that relate to your role.

• Participate in administrative meetings as they relate to your role

Safety

• Follow and ensure adherence to safety and risk assessment procedures by other staff, volunteers, and students.

Benefits

• Life Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Tuition Assistance
• Professional Development
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• PTO and paid holidays after 90 days probation
• One paid education day annually
• Eligible for $25,000 employer sponsored Life Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement $1,000 per year
• Continuing Education Bonuses
• 3% voluntary 401k match
• Qualified Small Employer HRA (QSEHRA)
• Paid ½ hour lunch