Play-Based, Outdoor Early Childhood Teacher

Job OverviewStep out of the fluorescent lights and into the forest. Imagine your classroom beneath the cottonwoods, where the scent of wet earth and the rustle of wind in the grass guide your day. At the Nature School Cooperative, we believe that childhood—and teaching—belongs outdoors. We are a growing community of educators, caregivers, and children co-creating a learning journey that’s alive, relational, and rooted in the rhythms of the land. Here, puddles are for jumping, sticks spark stories, and risk is something we support with intention, skill, and trust—not something to avoid.This isn’t your average preschool gig. We're inviting early childhood educators who are ready to leave behind rigid routines and compliance checklists for something more nourishing—for you and for the children. With smaller ratios, slower days, and the natural world as both co-teacher and curriculum, you'll guide children as they develop their own sense of agency, curiosity, and safety. You’ll learn alongside them—tracking animals, navigating feelings, climbing trees, and tuning into the wisdom of the seasons. We’re better educators out here. And we think you might be, too.We’re seeking an early childhood development expert who can meet children where they are—emotionally, cognitively, and playfully—and help guide their growth with attunement, joy, and deep respect.ResponsibilitiesNature-Based Educators co-create outdoor learning environments rooted in seasonal cycles, play-based exploration, and ecological stewardship. Grounded in anti-bias education and interdependence, educators facilitate child-led inquiry, support whole-child development, and model curiosity, care, and collaborative problem-solving. The role blends teaching, caretaking, and ecological awareness with community-based learning and relationship-building.Key ResponsibilitiesEach responsibility is rooted in pedagogical understanding of child development, outdoor learning, and emergent curriculum practices.Co-Design and Facilitate Learning Environments - Create responsive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate outdoor environments where children can initiate play, assess risk, and deepen relationships with place and people.Observe, Document, and Reflect- Use observation as a tool for assessment and curriculum planning. Maintain records of children’s growth, play themes, and developmental milestones through written and visual documentation. This includes sending home daily photos to families, as well as weekly professional development reflection and lesson planning.Support Social-Emotional Growth - Model and coach co-regulation practices, foster secure attachment relationships, and nurture a sense of belonging and community among children and families.Maintain Physical and Emotional Safety OutdoorsConduct dynamic risk assessments, engage children in evaluating their own safety, and steward both physical wellbeing and emotional resilience in variable outdoor settings.Partner with Families - Build reciprocal relationships with caregivers, engage in consistent communication, and support families’ understanding of nature-based and child-led approaches.Collaborate with Team and Community - Participate in weekly planning and reflection meetings, engage with ecological and cultural partners, and contribute to shared stewardship of park spaces and program materials.Commit to Ongoing Learning and Equity Work - Engage in reflective practice, continue developing cultural responsiveness and anti-bias teaching strategies, and co-create an inclusive and just learning community.SkillsStrong teaching skills with an emphasis on early childhood education principles.Experience in early childhood education, outdoor learning, or youth workCommitment to equity, ecological literacy, and restorative conflict approachesKnowledge of toddler care practices and child development milestones.Familiarity with special education strategies to support diverse learners.Excellent classroom management abilities to maintain an orderly environment.Physical ability to hike, lift, carry, and work outdoors for extended periodsBackground check clearance requiredCPR/First Aid certified (or willingness to obtain)Benefits of Joining into Optional Cooperative Membership: Choosing to become a co‑operative member brings additional value and alignment with our mission:Democratic decision-making: One vote per member––shape policies, finances, and future directionShared profits & economic participation: Members buy in and share in any surplusProfessional development & training: Access regular learning opportunities and peer-sharing forumsStrong community & ecological stewardship: Collaboration grounded in our commitment to equity, transparency, and caring for our shared environmentAligns with worker-owned values: As part of a queer, women‑led, Public Benefit cooperative, members help foster fair wages, inclusivity, and regenerative community practices