Nature Preschool Director

Position Available:
Nature Preschool Director (Full-time, Permanent)

Final date to receive applications:
July 6, 2026

Join a team of passionate educators who are serving children and families through a high‑quality, play‑based early childhood program with nature at its core. From catching snowflakes with preschoolers to supporting families with resources, to helping teachers grow and learn, the Nature Preschool Director cultivates a culture of growth and connection.

The Nature Preschool Director supports teaching teams in the development and implementation of a high-quality, nature-based early childhood program while maintaining licensing requirements, providing program management, supporting families and acting as a liaison between Nature Preschool, the community, and Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) as a whole. Nature Preschool currently operates with eight (8) half-day classes serving 140 students annually.

The Nature Preschool Director will oversee day-to-day operations of Nature Preschool, a program of CNC, providing support for teachers, staff, families and preschoolers while maintaining a high-quality, play‑based early childhood program with nature at its core. The director will ensure the program complies with all regulations, including state licensing and CNC policies.

• Develop, implement and evaluate Nature Preschool policies and practices in collaboration with the Director of Programs to ensure Preschool remains a high-quality, nature-based early childhood program that utilizes best practices.
• Hire, train and supervise Nature Preschool staff, ensuring alignment with licensing and CNC requirements.
• Coordinate required staff training and provide site‑specific training to ensure use of best practices across the program.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing and program requirements, including Great Start to Readiness and other grant‑based programs.
• Support teachers, volunteers, interns, families and students through daily, weekly and monthly communication and regular presence.
• Develop and submit annual budget in collaboration with the Director of Programs.
• Work with the Department of Land and Facilities to provide safe and appropriate indoor and outdoor spaces for Preschool.
• Support early childhood programs at Nature Day Camp during the summer season in collaboration with the Nature Day Camp Director.
• Participate in CNC staff meetings, training, special events and other functions as appropriate.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education or child development with administrative coursework and experience or other credentials as outlined as acceptable qualifications for Early Childhood Program Directors in the Michigan Childcare Licensing regulations.
• Knowledge of early childhood education best practices and experience implementing them.
• Experience with online registration, assessment and communication platforms.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience teaching outdoors and/or in an early childhood setting.
• Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers.
• Demonstrate flexibility, strong ethics and a commitment to serving all people.
• Enthusiastically support CNC’s mission and role in the community.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather, lift up to 50 pounds, hike on uneven terrain and sit for periods of time.
• Certification in infant, child and adult CPR and AED or ability to become certified.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in an administrative role in an early childhood setting.
• Experience in the administration of the Great Start to Readiness Program (GSRP).
• Experience or certification in Conscious Discipline.
• Experience with High Scope curriculum.

Director of Programs

Monday-Friday with occasional weekend and evening hours for special events.

August 3, 2026

Full‑time salary $47,000–$55,000 per year based on experience and education; paid vacation, holidays and sick time; health insurance; life insurance; long‑term disability insurance; 403(b) annuity plan with voluntary additional contribution; voluntary participation in flexible spending and dependent care accounts; staff uniform; CNC membership; 20% discount in Nature Center Store; 10% discount on registered program member fee.

Send cover letter and resume to Jenn Kirts, Director of Programs at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). or visit 400 S Badour Road, Midland, MI 48640.

Chippewa Nature Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, height, weight, handicap or disability, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws.