Forest School Assistant / Nature Preschool Assistant
Location: Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley, CA
Position: Part-Time (Approximately 18 hours per week)
Compensation: $30–35 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications
About Two Pines Forest School
Two Pines Forest School is a boutique, play-based, child-led outdoor preschool located in the beautiful natural setting of Tilden Regional Park. We believe children learn best through meaningful relationships, curiosity, creative play, and daily connection with nature.
Our mixed-age program provides children with opportunities to explore, create, build confidence, and develop social-emotional skills in a safe and nurturing outdoor environment. We are looking for a caring, dependable, and enthusiastic assistant who enjoys working with young children and shares our passion for nature-based education.
Responsibilities
- Support the lead teachers throughout the school day.
- Supervise and engage children during outdoor exploration and free play.
- Assist with nature-based activities, storytelling, songs, art projects, and daily routines.
- Encourage children's independence, curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Help prepare learning materials and maintain an organized outdoor classroom.
- Ensure children's safety while supporting age-appropriate risk-taking and exploration.
- Communicate professionally with families and collaborate with the teaching team.
- Help create a warm, welcoming, and respectful learning environment.
Required Qualifications
- Child Development Permit or a Certificate, Associate's degree, or Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field.
- At least one year of experience working with children ages 2–6.
- Experience working in a forest school, nature preschool, outdoor education program, or another outdoor learning environment.
- Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions and on uneven terrain.
- Able to hike, sit on the ground, lift up to 30 pounds, and actively participate in outdoor activities.
- CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification before employment.
- Must be willing to complete a background check prior to employment
- Must provide proof of negative TB test (as required for working with children in California)
- Reliable, organized, patient, and able to work collaboratively as part of a small team.
We're Looking for Someone Who
- Loves spending time outdoors.
- Believes children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships.
- Is warm, emotionally attuned, and respectful toward children.
- Is dependable, flexible, and takes initiative.
- Enjoys collaborating with others and contributing to a positive team culture.
Schedule
- Approximately 18 hours per week
- Weekday mornings and early afternoons (Monday through Thursday)
- Opportunity for additional hours as our program grows
Compensation & Benefits
- $30–35 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Paid preparation and meeting time, as applicable.
- Professional development opportunities.
- A supportive, collaborative work environment.
- Opportunity to grow with a small, community-centered forest school.
How to Apply
If you're passionate about early childhood education and believe children thrive through play, exploration, and meaningful experiences in nature, we'd love to hear from you.
Please submit:
- Your resume
- A brief cover letter telling us about yourself, your experience working with young children, and what inspires you about outdoor, child-led education.
Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
