Nature Preschool Teacher

Chippewa Nature Center; Midland (MI); On-site; USD 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Vacation, holidays, sick time

Store discount

Job summary

Chippewa Nature Center is seeking a Nature Preschool Teacher for a full-time, 43-week year position. Start date January 4, 2027. Salary ranges from $27,000 to $36,000 with year-round benefits and a strong emphasis on nature-based early education.

You’ll work with a teaching team of three full-time staff, implement play-based curricula, and engage families through regular communication, home visits, and conferences.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or higher and teaching experience required.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and implementation.
• Creativity, flexibility, and ability to work with children, parents and staff.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy with Windows and MS Office.
• Physical ability to meet daily outdoor activities (lifting 50 pounds).
• CPR and basic first aid certification or willingness to become certified.
• Preferred: 1–5 years of teaching experience; nature-based education is a plus.
• Preferred: Michigan teaching certificate (ZA/ZS) or related degree.

Responsibilities

• Ensure health, safety, and welfare of children in the group.
• Teach and develop Nature Preschool curriculum with the team.
• Communicate with parents formally and informally.
• Operate within DHS, licensing and Great Start Readiness guidelines.
• Plan equipment and supply needs with the team.
• Regularly assess children’s progress.
• Conduct home visits and parent-teacher conferences.
• Contribute to policies and activities with the Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teaching experience

Knowledge of developmentally-approp. P

Creativity & flexibility

Verbal and written communication

Team collaboration

Safety and welfare focus

Problem solving

Adaptability with parents

Education

Associates degree or higher

Bachelor’s degree in Child Development or Early Childhood

Michigan teaching certificate (ZA or ZS) or equivalent endorsement

Tools

Windows

MS Office

Job description

Salary: $27,000.00 - $36,000.00 Annually

Application Deadline: Oct 18, 2026

Education

Position Available

Nature Preschool Teacher
Status: Full time, permanent; 43-week/year position with year-round benefits
Application deadline: October 18, 2026 or open until filled

Come awaken your natural sense of wonder at Nature Preschool! Join us as we jump in puddles, make mud pies, and study every part of a frog’s life cycle through real-life hands-on experiences.

Chippewa Nature Center is in search of teachers with a passion for nurturing learning and investigation in 3- and 4-year old children. Nature Preschool is a play-based program which uses research-based curriculum practices to implement developmentally appropriate early childhood education with nature at its core. Nature Preschoolers and staff experience the ecosystems at Chippewa Nature Center through engaging lessons and enriching exploration. Our teaching teams are highly trained and well supported with three full-time teachers in each classroom.

Objective: To work within a teaching team to provide a premier early childhood environment which meets the developmental needs of the whole child, while initiating them into a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world.

Duties & Responsibilities

• 1. Responsible for the health, safety and welfare of all children in the group
• 2. Teach and develop curriculum of Nature Preschool in conjunction with other members of the teaching team
• 3. Communicate with parents both formally and informally, individually and in groups
• 4. Assure that classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of the Michigan Department of Human Services, Office of Children and Adult Licensing and the Michigan Department of Education’s Great Start Readiness Program
• 5. Overall planning for equipment and supply needs in conjunction with teaching team and other program staff
• 6. Conduct regular assessment of children
• 7. Conduct home visits and parent teacher conferences
• 8. Contribute to the development, implementation and review of Nature Preschool policies, procedures and activities in conjunction with the Nature Preschool Director, as appropriate
• 9. Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required:

• 1. Associates degree or higher
• 2. Teaching experience
• 3. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and the ability to implement that knowledge
• 4. Must have the creativity, flexibility and understanding necessary for working with children, parents and co-workers
• 5. Effective verbal and written communication skills
• 6. Computer literacy including working knowledge of Windows platform and Microsoft Office software package
• 7. Ability to meet the physical demands of the position (i.e., daily outdoor hiking, lift 50 pounds)
• 8. Currently hold certification in child and adult CPR and basic first aid or willingness to become certified

Preferred:

• 1. One to five years teaching experience
• 2. Experience in nature-based and/or play-based early childhood education
• 3. Valid Michigan teaching certificate with an Early Childhood Education (ZA) or Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement; or Bachelor’s degree in Child Development or Early Childhood

Status: Full time, permanent; 43-week/year position with year-round benefits

Schedule: Mid-August to early-June, 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday

Start Date: January 4, 2027

Compensation & Benefits: $27,000-36,000, starting salary based on education and experience, full time (43 weeks), paid vacation, holidays, and sick time, health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, 403(b) annuity plan with voluntary additional contribution, voluntary participation in flexible spending and dependent care accounts, staff uniform, CNC membership, 20% discount in Nature Center Store, 10% discount on registered program member fee

Application Deadline: October 18, 2026 or until filled.

Overview: CNC is a nonprofit, environmental education organization. Its mission is to connect all people to nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. The 2,000-acre property includes woodlands, fields, ponds and rivers. CNC’s facilities consist of a Visitor Center with a River Overlook, Ecosystem Gallery, Wildlife Viewing Area and more; a late 1800s Homestead Farm complex; Nature Preschool; an arboretum and 19 miles of trails. Visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org for more information.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Chippewa Nature Center is committed to creating a workplace and visitor experience where all people feel valued for their unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives. Staff, volunteers, program participants, visitors, and all those who engage with the nature center are invited to fully connect with CNC regardless of their race, color, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, marital status, political affiliation, or parental status. Through ongoing learning, training, and listening, CNC strives to welcome all people.

Equal Opportunity Employer: CNC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, height, weight, handicap or disability, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws.