Priority Listing Lead Early Childhood Teacher; Includes present

Country Day is interviewing for an immediate position for a teacher who’s maternity leave starts Mid
- February, allowing for time to settle in and get to know the children and our community before taking on the full responsibility of the position. This is a permanent position.

Please note, we are not in a position to provide sponsorship for prospective employees.

Country Day Little School is seeking a nursery/kindergarten teacher to join our faculty of four. Located in Palo Alto, CA, Country Day is a Waldorf-inspired early childhood program that has provided a nurturing, play-based, developmentally attuned environment for children and families for over forty years. Visit our website,  to learn more about our school!

Our program is inspired by Helle Heckmann’s Nokken model, and our mixed-age groups of children (ages two to six) move together through the rhythms of the day. Our activities are typical of a Waldorf early childhood education: extensive outdoor/garden time, meaningful practical work, and most importantly, child-directed play. We strive to create a space in which families partner with us in protecting childhood and supporting their children’s developmental needs.

Parents are welcomed into the classroom to observe the vitality, joy, and hard work of their children’s daily experiences, helping to cultivate a strong bridge between home and school.

Our work is guided by an Anthroposophical understanding of human development, and supported by contemporary research in child development and education. We value a creative, reflective working environment in which practices are thoughtfully examined, renewed, and developed. As a standalone early childhood program, we enjoy unusual freedom—able to bring to life nearly anything we teachers can imagine.

We support our colleagues through collaborative daily work, ongoing professional development, and personal growth. We are seeking a teacher who enjoys working closely with others in a co-teaching environment, sharing both pedagogical and practical responsibilities in a way that is rewarding, creative, and conscientious. Our faculty members find opportunities for fulfillment and growth as they offer their gifts to students and colleagues, while also receiving support in areas that invite further learning.

Country Day is centrally located in Palo Alto, a community shaped by Stanford University and the many tech companies that call it home. The region is diverse and full of ideas and work for the future. Families choose our program to give their children a small homelike environment and a nurturing haven. We are close to San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Northern California coast~ offering abundant possibilities for both urban and rural pursuits.

We are hoping to welcome an experienced, full-time teacher who can take on a leadership role within our faculty. Our full-time position include 10+ weeks of vacation, a competitive year-round salary commensurate with qualifications, and full medical, dental, and retirement benefits.

Our ideal candidate is a seasoned teacher who is looking to focus on the early years rather than meeting the needs of carrying a typical Waldorf elementary school. Teachers with experience in Waldorf, Life Ways, nature-based programs, play-based, Pikler, or RIE are especially encouraged to apply. We look forward to hearing from you, sharing more about our school, and learning what gifts you may bring to our students, families, and faculty.

~ Peggy Jane @ . Please feel free to call and chat, or go ahead and send your resume and cover letter to country