Nature-Based Preschool Teacher

Summary

Turtle Island Children's Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is a year-round play and nature based early childhood program, serving infants through pre-Kindergarteners. We are located on magnificent grounds of Country Club Road in the Capital City of Montpelier, Vermont. Early childhood is a time of wondrous intellectual development as well as social and emotional learning. Children are explorers and investigators. As caring educators, we provide a diverse, natural environment for their pursuits.

We spend much of our days outdoors and on adventures, exploring the trails surrounding our campus. Our operating hours are 8:00am - 3:30pm. Most teachers work from 7:30-3:30 or 8-4.

This position is available beginning June 2026.

Duties

Responsibilities of this position will include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

• 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
• 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.
• Proactively communicate effectively, professionally and respectfully with team members, administrators and families.
• Actively supervise and engage with children while keeping them safe at all times.
  
  

Requirements

Core Qualifications*:

• Associate's degree in early childhood education or related field, three years of experience or equivalent
• 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
• 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.
• Complete First Aid/CPR and other training upon hire
• If you do not meet the core requirements for this position, we welcome rolling applications for assistant and support teachers. If you would like to be a preschool teacher, but do not meet Lead Teacher qualifications, please note this in your cover letter.
  
  

Nice To Haves

The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of child development, best practices within a play- and nature-based environment, creative problem solving, flexibility, and a love of children.

Folks with a bachelor's degree in education or a VT teaching license are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• 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