Toddler Guide

Bella Gardens is a nonprofit bilingual Montessori-naturalist learning community serving children ages two through six in East Dallas. We are a program of Owenwood Farm and Neighbor Space, which places our environment on a working farm surrounded by gardens, animals, and the daily rhythms of the natural world.

We are opening our Toddler community for the 2026 to 2027 school year and are seeking a lead guide to prepare the environment and welcome our first cohort of children ages twelve through thirty-six months. This is a founding role. The person we hire will help shape a community that will serve East Dallas families for years to come.

Lead Guide, Toddler Community (ages 0 to
3)

Erika V. Estrada, Founder and Director

Full-time, Monday through Friday, forty hours per week

August 2026

Starting at $20 per hour with a defined pathway for phased increases based on experience, performance, and organizational growth. Full compensation details shared during the interview process.

W-2 employee, hourly, non-exempt

This role is designed with newly credentialed AMI Assistants to Infancy graduates in mind. If you are ready to step into your first lead role in a supportive, mission-driven environment, we want to meet you.

A deep commitment to authentic Montessori practice for children ages zero to three.

Warmth, patience, and genuine reverence for the developing child.

Willingness to grow with a small, nonprofit community in its founding years.

AMI Assistants to Infancy (0 to
3) credential, complete or in the final stages of completion.

Bilingual English and Spanish (spoken and comfortable using both in the environment).

Experience with a naturalist or outdoor-integrated approach, or eagerness to grow into one.

AMS 0 to 3 credential holders, or candidates currently in AMI 0 to 3 training.

Candidates whose language ability is developing but whose Montessori foundation is strong.

Prepare and maintain a beautiful, developmentally appropriate Toddler environment aligned with AMI principles.

Serve as the primary guide for a small community of children ages twelve to thirty-six months.

Support each child's emerging independence, language, movement, and social development through careful observation and thoughtful preparation.

Partner with families as their child's first educational relationship outside the home, communicating warmly and clearly.

Collaborate with our Primary Lead Guide and the wider Bella Gardens team as we shape the school's daily rhythm and naturalist practice.

Participate in ongoing professional development, including opportunities offered through our partnership with the Montessori Institute of North Texas.

A founding role in a bilingual Montessori-naturalist school where your voice will help shape the community.

A partnership with MINT, our recommended training center, including access to professional development.

A working farm as your daily environment. Gardens, animals, weather, and open sky.

Childcare benefit for your own children, subject to funding, capped at seven percent of income or a twenty-five percent tuition discount.

Paid holidays and paid summer break on regularly scheduled workdays.

A phased compensation review, annually, based on organizational growth and your development in the role.

Colleagues who care deeply about the children, the families, and one another.