Nature Preschool Director Job Midland area,Michigan USA,Education / Teaching

District/Organization: Chippewa Nature Center
Position/Type: Central Office – 1st Line Admin, full time
Salary: $47, starting plus benefits

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.

Summary: 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.

Objective: 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 Nature Preschool Director will ensure the program complies with all regulations, including state licensing and CNC policies.

Duties & Responsibilities
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
Required Qualifications
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 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 lbs., hike on uneven terrain and sit for periods of time
Certification in infant, child and adult CPR and AED or ability to become certified
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in 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
Status: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Director of Programs
Schedule: Monday-Friday with occasional weekend and evening hours for special events
Start Date: August 3, 2026
Compensation & Benefits
Full time – $47,000-$55,000/year based on experience and education; paid vacation, holidays and sick time; health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; 403(b)…