About This Position
The Preschool Director commits the majority of their time to the administration, direction, supervision, and teaching at a Mass Audubon Nature Preschool in accordance with Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda strategic goals and Mass Audubon’s education frameworks, standards, and practices, and policies. 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 and budget management for the nature preschool that they direct. The Preschool Director supervises full-time, benefitted staff as well as part-time regularly schedules and per diem educators, depending on each school’s staffing plan and teaches in the classroom and outdoors as needed. They develop and manage program specific budgets with support from the Education Manager, Senior Director of Education and Engagement and Regional Director. They may also assist with fundraising for financial aid including grants development and general fundraising. The Preschool Director also serves as a subject matter expert in nature-based early education and collaborates with the Statewide Early Education Specialist to represent Mass Audubon at conferences and gatherings, regionally and nationally.
Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter with your ADP application.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and manage operations of a successful nature preschool, meeting Mass Audubon’s early education goals and objectives for nature preschools as well as attending to the needs of children and families in the school community
- Develop and steward a sense of community, belonging, and connection to nature in the preschool
- Create and maintain a healthy, safe, and positive environment for children utilizing nature as the organizing principle for all learning
- Ensure the indoor and outdoor learning environments are in good condition to support safe, engaging, rich in experience, and positive child development
- Develop and manage annual preschool operating budget with attention to flexibility in enrollment and costs
- Responsible and accountable to all Mass Audubon safety policies and guidelines to manage risk
- 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, secure maintenance of student files
- Observe and document children’s progress in the areas of their social, emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive skills and communicate with families about their child’s abilities and goals
- 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
- Teach students indoors and outside as needed
Management/Supervision
- Hire, train, manage, supervise and provide ongoing professional development for all preschool program staff and 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 the Nature Preschool education staff to accomplish program goals
- Conduct monthly or bi-monthly teacher observations
- Plan and offer Professional Development seminars to Nature Preschool staff in the school and in collaboration with other Mass Audubon Preschool Directors
- Determine the work schedule of the school and arrange substitute educators when necessary.
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 collaborate with Lead Teachers to plan meetings with families 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 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 monthly 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
- Early Education and Care Director licensure
- Minimum of 3-5 years directing a preschool, and at least 5 years of experience teaching children ages 2-5 years old
- Previous management experience including staff recruitment, hiring, supervision and design of ongoing professional development
- Exceptional management of preschool operations
- Exceptional management and high level of engagement of preschool staff and volunteers
- Exceptional teaching of in a Nature Preschool or a Preschool with a strong nature-based curriculum and program philosophy
- Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to work cooperatively and independently
- Interest and/or experience in nature-based, emergent and anti-bias teaching in early childhood education
- Passion for the natural world and deep commitment to developing early childhood learning experiences in, about, and for nature
- Demonstrated ability to promote and respect diversity of ethnic, cultural, linguistic backgrounds and, physical and mental abilities
- Demonstrated skills and commitment to helping others grow in the understanding, relationship, and concern for the environment
- First Aid/CPR certifications
Nice to Haves
- Knowledge of Natural History topics