We are a nature-based preschool in Brooklyn with both indoor and outdoor classes, serving ages 1-5. We offer nature-based education in an urban setting, while also meeting the needs of families who need full-day care, with early drop-off and extended day options. We aim to develop our students’ empathy and respect for self, others, and our environment through immersion in nature and by exhibiting peaceful, community, and consent-driven conflict resolution to our students, guiding each child to grow a strong foundation of learning and inquiry through supported social and emotional growth.
Our curriculum is inquiry-based and child-led, drawing heavily upon each child's interests. Teachers act as guides and researchers of the children’s ideas; supporting each child and encouraging them to take their ideas further with intuitive questioning, experimenting, and exploring. Drawing from the Reggio Emilia and forest school philosophies, we emphasizes the learning process, not the end product. We celebrate the value of child engagement in a specific project or activity, not just what they may create. We encourage exploration with found and recycled materials, open-ended toys, and loose parts. We understand that all children are unique and have differing needs. For this reason, our teachers are trained to approach each child with knowledge and respect for their individuality. We know that children who are encouraged at a young age to explore, question, and create, inherently develop the emergent math, science, and literacy skills they need for success later in life.
Director’s Role and Responsibilities:
Administrators are professionals who are deeply passionate about creating safe, nurturing, play-based, child-led spaces for children, their families, and teachers. Administrators understand the value of working as a community to address the numerous and variable day-to-day logistics of managing staff, students, and our school space.
Working closely with our Executive Director and Operations Director, the primary responsibility of the Education Director is to oversee the daily operations of the school by ensuring a safe, organized, and well-maintained learning environment that supports the well-being of both students and staff. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Staff Supervision & Development
- Foster a collaborative, respectful, and engaging workplace culture for all staff.
- Supervise and support teaching staff, ensuring compliance with DOHMH regulations and preschool policies and procedures, including constant and competent supervision of children.
- Develop and manage daily staffing schedules, including classroom coverage, breaks, local outings, team meetings, and staff absences.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for staff scheduling, attendance, and workplace concerns.
- Conduct regular classroom observations and provide coaching and feedback to teaching staff.
- Conduct biannual staff performance check-ins and support ongoing professional growth.
- Plan, coordinate, and facilitate staff orientation, training, and professional development throughout the school year.
- Partner with the administrative team to recruit, interview, and onboard new staff.
- Revise and maintain internal staff handbooks, guides, and operational procedures, as needed.
Education & Curriculum Support
- Lead weekly instructional planning meetings with each teaching team to ensure high-quality implementation of the preschool's emergent, nature-based curriculum and developmentally appropriate teaching practices
- Support the creation of consistent, age-appropriate daily schedules for classrooms including outdoor activities and the use of shared school spaces.
- Oversee the implementation of developmentally appropriate social-emotional learning practices across all classrooms, ensuring alignment with best practices in early childhood education
- Promote the use of sustainable and upcycled materials throughout classroom environments and curriculum.
- Collaborate with teaching teams and families to develop individualized support plans for children, as well as support teachers in coordination of twice yearly parent teacher conferences.
Family & Community Engagement
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with families through ongoing communication and support.
- Communicate regularly with families through email, Brightwheel, and phone calls.
- Lead family orientation sessions and conduct tours for prospective families.
- Plan and host seasonal community events 4 times a year to strengthen family engagement.
- Write and distribute a seasonal administrative newsletter to families.
- Refer families to support services as needed, including Early Intervention and CPSE services.
- Support families in admissions process, ensuring communication and relationships with potential schools, as well as supporting teachers in writing reports and completing forms for each child as needed
Facilities & Daily Operations
- Ensure that the school is safe, clean, and ready for operations each day.
- Coordinate facility repairs and maintenance with the Operations Director and building superintendent.
- Maintain office operations, ensuring materials and supplies are organized and adequately stocked.
- Monitor the doors during arrival and dismissal, ensuring constant supervision during these transitions
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure program compliance with DOHMH Article 47/48 regulations and all applicable city, state, and federal requirements.
- Maintain all required staff and student files for internal and external inspections
- Maintain FDNY S-95 and S-07 certifications.
- Lead fire and emergency drills and maintain the school's Written Safety Plan.
II. Requirements and Qualifications:
- Master's in Early Childhood Education and NYS Certification required
- Previous experience in an Early Childhood Education Director role, or the administrative equivalent
- Minimum 3 years of classroom teaching experience
- Passion for nature-based, play-based, and child-centered education
Strong candidates will have:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Collaborative, solutions-oriented attitude
- Strong time management, project management, and multitasking skills
- Experience with social-emotional learning practices in early childhood
- Proficiency in the use of technology including Google Workspace, Slack, Brightwheel
- Special Education certification is a plus, including experience with the EI/CPSE evaluation process
This is a full-time, 12-month position, with competitive salary and benefits.
Benefits:
- Retirement plan option, with employer match of 3%
- Health Insurance plan available with employer contribution
- Paid time off
- School holidays off, plus additional 2 week off in the Summer (*must be approved in advance)
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday, 8hrs daily on site, sample hours 8:45a-4:45p, with flexibility to come earlier/stay till 6pm only as needed for staff coverage
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $95,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Ability to Relocate:
- Brooklyn, NY 11217: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
