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Preschool Pod Guide & Teacher

Job Description

Location: Williamson County, TN

Schedule: Part-Time with Full-Time option

Program Type: Outdoor, Nature-Based Preschool Pod (Ages 2-6?)

Compensation: Part-time range $25,000-$35,000

      Full-time range $40,000-$59,000

About Our Program

Our Preschool Pod is a small, mixed-age class of 7 children ages 2-5, class is held three times a week from approx. 8am-12pm, from the end of August through the end of May. The program is a relationship-centered learning community where children spend the majority of their day immersed in nature. Inspired by Forest School, Waldorf education, and child-led learning philosophies, we believe childhood should be filled with wonder, exploration, creativity, and deep connection to the natural world.  

We value:

  • Love for nature

  • Exploration

  • Respect

  • Child-led play

  • Emotional expression and regulation

  • Kindness

  • Creativity

  • Curiosity

  • Contribution

  • Community 

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher supports young children as they learn through outdoor play, exploration, storytelling, practical life experiences, and seasonal rhythms.

This role is ideal for someone who sees themselves as a guide and mentor rather than a traditional classroom instructor.

The successful candidate is warm, kind, strong, dependable, flexible, physically active, comfortable in the woods, and passionate about both child development and the natural world.

Administrative duties such as family communication, a bi-monthly newsletter with updates, and occasional meetings are part of the teacher’s work.

Non-teaching administrative work can be added to make this a full-time position.

Primary Responsibilities

Child Guidance & Care

  • Foster a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 2–6

  • Support children's social-emotional development

  • Guide conflict resolution with respect and empathy

  • Observe and respond to children's interests and developmental needs

  • Encourage independence and confidence

Outdoor Learning

  • Lead nature walks and exploration

  • Lead river play (the school is a few hundred yards from a river)

  • Facilitate child-led discovery and inquiry

  • Support outdoor play in all seasons and weather conditions

  • Help children develop respect for nature and living things

  • Maintain awareness of outdoor safety considerations

Program Activities

  • Self-guided play

  • Storytelling

  • Nature crafts

  • Seasonal celebrations

  • Songs and movement

  • Gardening

  • River

  • Practical life activities

  • Cooking (as appropriate)

Communication

  • Maintain positive relationships with families

  • Communicate children's experiences and growth

  • Participate in occasional meetings and planning

  • Contribute observations and documentation

Site Stewardship

  • Assist with setup and cleanup

  • Maintain outdoor learning spaces

  • Monitor areas for safety

  • Help care for materials and equipment

Desired Qualifications

Required

  • Early Childhood Education experience

  • Genuine love of nature and outdoor learning

  • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions

  • Strong communication skills

  • CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)

  • Ability to lift, bend, hike, and remain active throughout the day

  • Clear background check

Preferred

  • Forest School experience

  • Waldorf training or experience

  • Nature-based education experience

  • Homeschool or microschool experience

  • Wilderness First Aid certification

  • Gardening, naturalist, or outdoor skills

Personal Qualities We Value

We are looking for someone who is:

☐ Warm and nurturing

☐ Calm under pressure

☐ Curious and creative

☐ Flexible and adaptable

☐ Joyful and playful

☐ Self-motivated

☐ Observant

☐ Reliable and professional

☐ Comfortable with mud, bugs, weather, and adventure

☐ Committed to lifelong learning

Physical Requirements

This position requires:

  • Arriving 30 minutes before class begins, and staying 30 minutes after to clean up

  • Walking on uneven terrain

  • Standing for extended periods

  • Lifting up to 50 pounds

  • Working outdoors in rain, cold, heat, and mud

  • Active participation in outdoor activities

Administrative Requirements

This position requires:

  • Monitoring weather conditions

  • Communication with families: answering questions, sharing developmental milestones and observations, 

  • 2 Newsletters per month

  • Evaluate and refine the curriculum throughout the year (the first year of curriculum is provided)

  • Develop lesson plans around the curriculum according to weather/children’s interests

  • Plan daily and weekly activities

  • Communicate weather-related closures/emergencies or schedule changes

  • Maintain first aid kits

  • Document incident and injuries, and share with parents

  • Adapt lessons to children's interests and developmental needs

  • Perform daily site safety checks

  •  Share photos and learning highlights (with permission)

  • Schedule and conduct parent conferences once in fall, once in spring

  • Organize and maintain indoor and outdoor materials 

  • Ensure proper ratios and supervision

  • Reflect on and improve teaching practices

  • Attend one training or conference each year (budget permitting)

  • Prepare the outdoor classroom for changing seasons

Full-time option

This additional position requires:

Enrollment & Admissions

  • Respond to prospective family inquiries

  • Schedule and conduct tours

  • Manage applications and enrollment paperwork

  • Coordinate waitlists

  • Facilitate family interviews

  • Prepare enrollment packets

  • Collect required forms and immunization records (if applicable)

  • Manage tuition agreements and enrollment deadlines

  • Address questions or concerns

  • Welcome and orient new families (if needed)

Materials, Learning Spaces, and Safety

  • Prepare materials in advance

  • Manage tool inventory

  • Replace consumable supplies

  • Coordinate maintenance of shelters and learning spaces

  • Review emergency procedures

  • Maintain emergency contact information

  • Keep certifications current (CPR, First Aid, etc.)

Financial Administration

  • Track tuition payments (or coordinate with bookkeeping)

  • Monitor operating expenses

  • Order supplies within budget

  • Submit receipts and reimbursements

  • Track specialty instructor payments (if needed)

  • Monitor enrollment projections

Program Operations

  • Develop and update parent handbook

  • Maintain policies and procedures

  • Update waivers and permission forms

  • Coordinate the annual calendar

  • Manage school scheduling

  • Maintain student records

  • Organize digital files and documentation

Marketing & Community Outreach

  • Update the website or social media

  • Photograph the program (with permissions)

  • Attend community events

  • Network and build relationships with local organizations

  • Support enrollment marketing efforts

Staff & Volunteer Coordination

  • Managing background checks (if applicable)

  • Stay current with best practices in outdoor education

  • Research curriculum ideas

  • Maintain required certifications

Licensing & Compliance

  • Keep required documentation current

  • Ensure compliance with applicable regulations

  • Prepare for inspections

  • Maintain insurance records

  • Update emergency plans

  • Track required staff training hours

Parent volunteer support:

A caregiver or family member will be present when the assistant is traveling. Parents will also do the following:

  • Coordinating specialty instructors (if needed)

  • Scheduling substitute teachers (if needed)

  • Coordinate volunteers and family participation

  • Training volunteers

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