Educator, Early Childhood Education

Job Summary

The Educator position at Bowdoin College Children’s Center offers early childcare professionals a dynamic opportunity to work in a college campus center with staff who provide care to children in a professional atmosphere. The climate at the Children’s Center leads our staff toward calm, organized, and engaged work with children and each other. Our teams work collaboratively and in consort with each other meeting weekly to discuss practices and concerns as well as meeting weekly to plan curriculum for the children.

Our practices are driven by training on addressing children’s emotional needs to bring learning and growth through attachment and secure relationships. Our nature-based programs focus on generous amounts of uninterrupted outside time for children to play, explore, and experiment. All of this work is in the context of a NAEYC accredited center that is deeply and actively engaged in anti-bias and anti-racist work offered by consultants and professional development trainings throughout the year to support our growth as individuals and a staff.

The Educator holds responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of all the children in the program and supporting the mission and philosophy of the Center, while participating in providing a nurturing environment and developmentally appropriate curriculum that meets the needs of young children in all domains. Our Educators are mentored and guided by the Co-Lead Educators to prepare them to step into a co-lead educator role should they be interested.

In the infant and toddler program we practice continuity of care for the first three years of a child’s life. This entails building relationships with families as well as children that will be sustained for this three-year journey.

• Targeted pay range: $22.20 – $23.45 per hour, commensurate based on education and years of experience.
• New employees receive a $1,000 sign‑on bonus paid after 90 days upon meeting eligibility requirements.

• Health Plans (effective on date of hire)
• Vision and dental insurance
• Life insurance and disability insurance
• $1,000 employee referral program bonus
• Generous retirement plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution (eligible after 1 year of service and age 26)
• Accrue up to 10 days of vacation in year one, 15 days in year two
• Accrue up to 12 days of personal/sick time
• 17 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave after 1 year
• Access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool (including household)

• Associate Degree in early childhood education or a related field
• Minimum of two years of experience working with children birth–8 years, preferably in an accredited childcare program
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and genuine commitment to early childhood education
• Flexibility and reflective teaching skills focusing on the whole child in responsive, nurturing programs
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and internet research for classroom planning
• Ability and willingness to learn additional programs
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet the College’s Motor Vehicle Use Policy
• Current CPR/First Aid certification (or obtain within one month of employment)
• Will sign a Child Abuse Policy statement and complete the College’s OSHA blood borne pathogen training and provide proof of hepatitis B vaccination (or submit written declination) upon hire

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in early childhood education or a related field, with experience in practicum settings and/or summer employment working with children birth–8 years
• Experience working with emergent curriculum or Reggio Emilia‑inspired programs
• Interest in playing‑based and nature‑based environments
• Prior experience in an accredited childcare program

• Full time, 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
• Year‑round position (1.00 FTE)

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.