Nature & Culture Curriculum Facilitator

Leila Day is a progressive, play-based, nature-centered school where childhood is honored. We innovate and build on the best traditions and practices of progressive, early childhood education. We believe in teaching and learning grounded in caring relationships, filled with joyful, learning adventures, and powered by the creativity of children chers plan learning experiences around the needs and interests of the children and the opportunities provided by the natural world and our multicultural community.

This full-time role includes two interconnected responsibilities:

The ideal candidate is passionate about outdoor education, emergent curriculum, multicultural learning, and relationship-based teaching. A key responsibility of this role is to coordinate, design, and oversee the curriculum and daily flow of the After School Adventure Program (ASAP), ensuring alignment across two groups:

• Juniors (ages 6–7)
• Seniors (ages 8–9)

This includes ensuring continuity, developmental appropriateness, and intentional planning across both groups.

The educator is excited to help children ages 3–9 develop curiosity, confidence, stewardship, and connection through nature, storytelling, play, art, and community engagement.

Working collaboratively with preschool, kindergarten, and after school educators, this role will:

• Support teachers in developing nature-based and outdoor curriculums for their classrooms
• Help build on seasonal exploration, gardening, storytelling, and environmental observation that exists across the lives of our classrooms
• Collaborate on multicultural curriculum inspired by the traditions, histories, and lived experiences of Leila Day families and the broader New Haven community
• Provide materials, ideas, provocations, and experiences that enrich emergent curriculum
  
  Help organize projects, all-school celebrations, public events, and experiences connected to culture and nature
• Foster children’s sense of belonging, curiosity, and care for the world around them

Children at Leila Day spend significant time outdoors in all seasons through hiking, exploration, play, storytelling, and observation. We are seeking an educator who sees the outdoors as a "third teacher" and values learning grounded in place, relationship, and discovery.

Leila Day’s After School Adventure Program is a creative, nature-based program for children ages 6–9 that balances freedom, imagination, and community after the school day.

In this role, you will coordinate the full After School program curriculum and daily structure across Juniors (6–7) and Seniors (8–9), ensuring coherence, continuity, and strong developmental alignment.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and overseeing curriculum planning for both After School groups (Juniors and Seniors)
• Leading a mixed-age group of high-energy, curious children in engaging after-school experiences
• Planning outdoor adventures, creative projects, games, and hands-on activities
• Supporting children’s social‑emotional growth and problem‑solving
• Creating opportunities for expression through art, movement, language, and play
• Building strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues
• Maintaining an organized and welcoming environment
• Supervising outdoor exploration and transitions in all seasons
• Coordinating all communication with parents and families
• Supervising a staff of one other lead teacher and three assistant teachers

We are seeking someone who is:

• Experienced working with children ages 3–9
• Passionate about outdoor education and emergent curriculum
• Collaborative, organized, dependable, and joyful
• Comfortable leading children outdoors in all weather
• Interested in multicultural education and culturally responsive teaching
• Excited to contribute to a progressive, arts‑rich school community

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in any field with 12 to 36 specific ECE credits.
• 3–5 years experience working with children
• Minimum 3 years of experience in outdoor education, environmental education, camps, nature schools, or related settings

• Degree in early childhood education or a related field
• Experience with play-based or emergent curriculum
• Experience leading mixed-age groups
• Skills in gardening, science, or naturalist education
• Holiday pay
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions available after two years of service

At Leila Day Nursery School, we believe children thrive in communities rooted in belonging, curiosity, dignity, and care. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the families and communities we serve, and welcome candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences.