Preschool Director

Mass Audubon; Belmont (MA); On-site; USD 56,500 - 58,750; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

EAP

13 paid holidays

Job summary

Mass Audubon is seeking a Nature Preschool Teaching Director to lead curriculum development, licensing, budget management, and staff supervision for its Habitat Nature Preschool in Belmont, MA.

The role combines administration with hands-on teaching, ensuring high-quality, nature-based education aligned with state regulations and Mass Audubon standards. Passion for early childhood education and collaboration with faculty are essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and communication skills required; ability to work cooperatively and independently.
• Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent, play-based, anti-bias early childhood education.
• Background checks (CORI/DCF/SORI) and fingerprints required; three references.
• First aid/CPR certification preferred but not required; training provided.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage operations of nature preschool in alignment with Mass Audubon goals.
• Develop a sense of community and connection to nature among preschool families and staff.
• Create a safe, inclusive learning environment using best practices in early childhood education.
• Develop and manage the preschool operating budget and ensure licensing compliance.
• Hire, train, supervise, and support preschool staff; conduct regular observations and meetings.
• Collaborate with education staff to achieve program goals and certifications.

Skills

Excellent writing and communication

Nature-based education

Independent and collaborative work

Ability to manage budgets

Education

Massachusetts EEC Director 1 certification

First aid/CPR preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full-time Regular Habitat, Belmont, MA, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1837

Salary Range: $56,500.00 To $58,750.00 Annually

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org .

About This Position

The Nature Preschool Teaching Director splits their time between the administration, and supervision of a Mass Audubon Nature Preschool (Habitat Nature Preschool in Belmont, MA) in accordance with Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda strategic goals and Mass Audubon’s education frameworks, standards, practices, and policies and teaching in one of the classrooms. A nature preschool teaching director is responsible for collaborating with their co-teachers on curriculum development, students' assessments, classroom management and daily teaching responsibilities. Specifically, they are responsible for the coordination and oversight of all curriculum and program development, licensing and risk management, marketing and registration, staff hiring and supervision, program evaluation, budget management, and direct classroom teaching responsibilities. The preschoolteaching director supervises a full-time, benefited staff member and also some part-time regular schedules and per diem educators, depending on the school staffing plan and regularly teaches in the classroom and outdoors each week . They develop and manage program specific budgets with support from the Statewide Director of Nature Preschool and the Senior Director of Education and Engagement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage operations of nature preschool, meeting Mass Audubon’s early education goals and objectives for nature preschools as well as attending to the needs of children, staff and families in the school community
• Develop and steward a sense of community, belonging, and connection to nature within the preschool community
• Create and maintain with preschool faculty a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children using best practices in early childhood nature-based education
• Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for young children both within an indoor and outdoor environment
• Develop and manage annual preschool operating budget
• Responsible and accountable to all Mass Audubon/MA EEC health and safety policies and guidelines
• Responsible for compliance and implementation of all Massachusetts Early Education and Care licensed childcare regulations and guidelines, including preparation for re-licensing paperwork and visits, maintaining all relevant documents
• Observe, document and assess the ongoing development of students and write progress reports twice per year (when applicable) and review all written progress reports
• Work collaboratively with other wildlife sanctuary and nature center staff to ensure the operations of the preschool are in alignment with the ongoing operations of the wildlife sanctuary
• Maintain the built and natural environment so that it is safe, welcoming and an enriching environment for childhood development and learning
• Must becomfortable exploring the natural worldin avariety of weather throughout the yearfor 2 or more hours a day
• Leads in preparation and presentation of a nature-based, multi-sensory, integrated, play-based, anti-bias and emergent curriculum for multi-age groups (3-5 years) of children in collaboration with teaching faculty that enhances the physical, social/emotional and cognitive growth of young children (this includes a regular teaching schedule)
• Understands early childhood development and manages reasonable outcomes and expectations for young children
• Communicate and work cooperatively with the Nature Preschool education staff to accomplish program goals

Management/Supervision

• Hire, train, manage, supervise and provide ongoing professional development for all preschool program staff and any volunteers
• Maintain clear communication with the teaching staff and ensure that curriculum and instruction is of the highest quality, meets early education standards and outcomes, and is inclusive and culturally responsive
• Communicate and work cooperatively with nature preschool education staff to accomplish program goals
• Conduct monthly or bi-monthly teacher observations
• Conduct monthly staff meetings
• Manage the work schedule of regular educators and arrange substitute educators when necessary

Education

• Lead in the preparation and presentation of a nature-based, multi-sensory, integrated, play-based, anti-bias and emergent curriculum for multi-age groups (3-5 years) of children in collaboration with co-teaching faculty that enhances the physical, social/emotional and cognitive growth of young children (this includes regularly teaching one or more preschool classes)
• Understands early childhood development and manages reasonable outcomes and expectations for young children
• Observe, document and assess the ongoing development of each child and write progress reports twice per year
• Communicate and work cooperatively with the Nature Preschool education staff to accomplish program goals
• Complete annual professional development hours as needed/required

Family Engagement

• Communicate with families about their child’s development and daily learning and play experiences including working with teaching staff to plan and conduct parent/teacher conferences
• Responsible for engaging parents/caregivers in conversations about children’s challenging behaviors and collaborating with Lead Teachers to plan meetings with families to explore appropriate strategies, interventions and possible collaboration with outside consultants
• Professionally communicate with families about classroom activities, lessons, and school community (i.e. written class messages and newsletters)
• Engage with teaching faculty and parents/caregivers in conversations about children’s challenging behaviors. Lead in the preparation and planning of meetings with parents/caregivers to explore appropriate strategies, interventions and possible collaboration with outside consultants
• Develop and facilitate family events and engagement programs

Marketing, Public/Community Relations

• Responsible for outreach and communication between families, community partners, and state agencies and will be the lead voice for the school in the community where the preschool is located
• Work collaboratively with Mass Audubon’s marketing department and Statewide nature Preschool Director to develop school marketing materials and any other publications or press that represent early education at Mass Audubon

Other

• Work with Mass Audubon early childhood education colleagues and attend education and preschool meetings as required
• Attend regular Preschool Director professional learning community meetings

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Director 1 certification
• Minimum of 3-5 years directing a preschool, and at least 5 years of experience teaching children aged 2-5 years old
• Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently
• Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent, play-based and anti-bias early childhood education
• Successful candidates must pass multiple background record checks, as required by Mass Audubon and Department of Early Education and Care, including CORI/DCF/SORI and fingerprints
• Three employment references
• First and CPR preferred but not necessary; training provided

Nice to Haves

• Knowledge of natural history topics

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay is $56,500-$58,750 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements.

Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall in calendar).

Work Schedule

Full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday for 44 weeks (late August through June) and 15 hours/week for 8 weeks (summer months).