Site/Education Director for a Nature Preschool in Manhattan

Job Description

At Elements Preschool, our progressive program encourages children to be life-long learners and explorers of the world around them. Our philosophy is inspired by the Forest School model, which asserts that engaging children in nature enables them to prosper as creative and innovative initiators, responsible explorers, and collaborative thinkers.

Our child-led, inquiry-based philosophy results in an environment where play, exploration, experiences, music and movement, and creative self-expression emerge to create a joyful and vibrant learning community. It is within this foundation that developmentally appropriate early literacy and numeracy skills are explored through child-driven, nature-based activities. The environment and provocations from our teachers stimulate each child’s sense of wonder, curiosity, intelligence, creativity, and observation skills.

THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR

The Education Director is a warm, sensitive, and mature individual who relates well to children and adults. S/he is committed to Elements’ early childhood and environmental education goals. The Education Director is accountable for general supervision and management of the preschool. In addition, the Education Director is responsible for training, hiring, and overseeing preschool staff to ensure high-quality early childhood education practices. The Education Director reports to the Managing Director/Owner of the preschool.

Principal Responsibilities:
• Program Operations
• Ensure school is in compliance with DOH, DOE, NYC and NYS licensing regulation
• Ensure effective and clear communication with teachers and parents
• Develop and oversee school schedules, tours, activities
• Plan school year calendar, staff work calendar and staff schedules
• Supervise registration and enrolment
• Manage the admissions process to ensure a strong student body and a

strong reputation for the school
• Be a lead spokesperson, provide tours, manage open houses and pursue PR

and business development opportunities for the program development and

curriculum
• Implement state of the art best practices in early childhood education and

outdoor education
• Develop, implement, and continually improve early childhood curriculum
• Recruit, hire, train, motivate, observe, and evaluate staff
• Provide ongoing coaching to improve teaching quality
• Address employee issues and discipline needs
• Remain current on issues and trends in early childhood education
• Oversee parent communication via app, email, one-on-one meetings, social media, and events
• The Educational Director must meet all licensing requirements for any and all agencies overseeing the school.

Licensing Requirements:
• Must hold NYS teaching certification in early childhood
• Must hold a Master’s in Early Childhood or Childhood Education
• Minimum of 5 Years Teaching Experience
• Minimum of 2 Years in a Supervisory Role
• Familiarity with DOHMH Standards and Regulations
• Experience in Nature-Based Education and/or Environmental Sciences is Desired

Every morning, children make their way through the bustling streets of New York’s Lower East Side to a preschool tucked away on Suffolk Street: Elements, The Nature Preschool. A hidden oasis, Elements’ Open Air Outdoor Classrooms welcome children 1 to 5 years of age. An advocate of authentic, true, and child-driven play, Elements prioritizes community within the pillars of equity, determination, risk-taking, autonomy, and inclusion. Elements believes in the power of wonder and how it sparks with joy through an intentional environment cultivated amongst loose parts and growing plants. In an environment that feels like an extension of home, a space of child ownership and comfort, Elements guides the problem-solving and conflict resolution of early social development. With this guidance, children create honest and caring relationships with themselves, each other, and the outside world. Founded in 2015 by Shilpa Sethi, Elements was built on the core principle of “calling children back to their innate relationship with nature.”