Job Description
Position Title: Preschool Assistant - Outdoor, Nature Focused School
Type of Position: Part-Time, Hourly, Renewable each school year
Hours: 16 to 21.5 hours per week.
To Apply: Write us a brief cover letter in your own words (no AI please). Tell us about yourself personally and professionally. We want to know why you think you're a good fit for our school and the positon. Also submit a resume showing you have experience that's directly relevant to this job. Indicate in your letter which of the two schedule options (below) you are interested in.
Work Schedule (Two Options Available):
Schedule Option One (21.5 hours/week): MTW 12:30 to 4:30 PM, Thursdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Fridays 8:00 to 1:00 PM.
Schedule Option Two (16 hours/week): Monday through Thursday, afternoons only, 12:30 to 4:30 PM.
Position Start Date: October 20th. Training days tentatively scheduled for October 16th and 19th..
Location: 5921 SE Laurel Street, Milwaukie OR 97222.
Wage: $25.00/hour
School Website: https://www.littlehousenatureschool.com
School Overview:
Of the nearly 5000 preschools across Oregon, Little House Nature School is the highest rated, best reviewed preschool in the state according to Google. We offer a morning preschool and afternoon Pre-K and Kindergarten nature program dedicated to play-based learning. We believe that learning is in every relationship a child develops - with themselves, others and the world around them. Our program takes place outside or in open air sheltered classrooms year-around. Our spacious property, located on the Johnson Creek watershed, offers the perfect backdrop for inspired outdoor learning.
Our morning classes are for preschool age children (3 and 4 year olds). Our afternoon Pre-K to Kinder nature classes are for 4 and 5 year olds.
Under our care, children engage in a rich array of outdoor learning. They explore and play in our gardens, playscapes, and wooded areas. Our daily rhythm includes a welcoming community circle, nature-based art activities, snack-time, gardening, physical free play, story-telling and singing. We weave seasonal celebrations throughout the year, deepening children's connection to the cycles of nature. We safely and supportively foster these learning activities, helping children build stamina and resilience. We allow for supervised age-appropriate risk taking to develop strength and confidence.
Position Description:
At our nature-based preschool, you will support a preschool teacher in caring for up to 13 children at a time (a ratio of 6.5 children per adult). You will provide support during our 3 1/2-hour morning class for 3 and 4 year olds as well as our 3-hour afternoon class for children 4 and older. Your work will take place in our open-air classrooms and outdoors in all seasons and all weather. You will be supported and supervised by our Lead Teacher. Responsibilities include:
• Setting and re-setting play areas, both indoors and outside.
• Preparing healthy snacks twice each day.
• Cleaning up our school and making it play-ready at all times.
• Keeping school materials accessible and well-organized.
• Supporting and supervising individual children and small groups as instructed by the preschool teachers.
• Helping children in using the bathroom.
• Leading occasional activities that inspire children with a sense of curiosity and wonder.
• Becoming part of a teaching team that builds children's communication and social skills with empathy, patience and mindful attention.
Desired Qualities:
• Passionate about caring for young children
• Loves the outdoors and natural learning
• Efficient and well-organized
• Warm, kind and approachable
• Able to work independently
• Open and authentic in your communication
• Dependable, on-time, and self-motivated
• Able to enthusiastically work outdoors in all-weather
Essential Qualifications:
• At least one year experience and strong interest and enthusiasm for working with small children.
• Ability to enroll in the Central Background Registry before you begin
• Commitment to obtaining a food handlers card and any required certifications within 30 days of employment.
Keywords: Outdoor Education, Preschool Assistant, Assistant Teacher, Early Childhood, Outdoor School, Nature Program
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
• Paid time off
Work Location: In person