Nature Preschool Teacher - Garfield Park Nature Preschool

The Nature Preschool Teacher supports the Nature Preschool Lead Teacher in providing a high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environment for children ages 3 to 5. This position contributes to the successful implementation of Cleveland Metroparks Nature Preschool’s mission and philosophy, with a focus on nature-based, play-centered learning. The Nature Preschool Teacher plays a key role in ensuring the health, safety, and emotional well-being of all students while fostering curiosity, exploration, and connection with the natural world.

• Assists the Lead Teacher in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate, nature-based curriculum aligned with the Early Learning Developmental Standards (ELDS) and Cleveland Metroparks' educational philosophy.
• Collaborates with the Lead Teacher to generate and deliver weekly lesson plans that reflect student interests and seasonal themes.
• Partners with the Preschool Lead Teacher and Program Administrator to ensure consistent, high-quality programming and care for all students.
• Provides daily support for classroom tasks and individual student needs, including preparing snacks, managing transitions between indoor and outdoor learning environments, and assisting with dressing for weather conditions.
• Promotes student health, safety, and emotional development through daily check-ins, routine site assessments, and individualized documentation and assessment practices.
• Maintains strong communication and partnership with families through regular updates, meetings, and conferences, ensuring family backgrounds and experiences are reflected in the classroom.
• Participates in staff meetings, professional development sessions, and school-wide events to support team cohesion and continuous improvement.

Qualifications Education, Experience, Licenses:

• Associate’s degree in early childhood education or an early childhood professional level two (2) designation from the Career Pathways Level (CPL) model is strongly preferred.
• One of the following is also acceptable:

• Enrollment in the second year of a college program in early childhood education/development
• Completion of a two-year career-technical program in child development

• Minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience with children ages 3–5.
• Must obtain and maintain:

• Certification in adult/child CPR and basic first aid
• Communicable disease management certification
• Child abuse recognition and prevention training
• All required Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) annual trainings

• Child care administrator qualification (as defined by appendix A to child care licensing rule 5180:2-12-07) is strongly preferred.
• Preferred certifications: Growing Up Wild, Project Learning Tree (Early Childhood), National Association for Interpretation (NAI)

Other Qualifications:

• Must successfully pass a drug screening, background check, and criminal records check.
• Experience facilitating outdoor learning in all weather conditions.
• Familiarity with early childhood frameworks such as HighScope, Reggio Emilia, or play-based learning models.
• Ability to create and maintain inclusive, respectful relationships with coworkers, students, families, and the public.
• Knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Northeast Ohio.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic digital documentation tools.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with professionalism, initiative, and discretion.

Work Schedule: This program typically runs August – May with breaks during holidays and the summer. Hours are variable but are typically 32-40 hours per week.   Work Environment: This position requires frequent outdoor work in varying weather conditions and terrains, as well as indoor classroom time. Physical demands include assisting children with needs and individual tasks and walking up to 5 miles per day in all weather conditions.   Filing Deadline: Open until filled.