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We are seeking Forest Preschool Teachers who are self-motivated and directed with strong leadership abilities; excellent organizational, communication, and teaching skills; the desire to listen and speak with children effectively and with compassion; the flexibility to operate independently and as part of a team; has an engaging personality; and a genuine interest in learning and teaching of young children, working with families, and cultivating community connections.

Teachers supports children’s learning in nature by facilitating emergent (child-led) curriculum, modeling respect for the creatures we encounter and each other, choosing peacemaking, and expressing gratitude. We are committed to creating an environment that fosters a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and a sense of belonging for the families in our community.

Responsibilities

Follow children’s passions to help facilitate learning and experiences

Work collaboratively with a team of other lead and assistant teachers

Use appropriate behavioral management with students to resolve conflict

Embrace the weather! Lime Hollow Forest Preschool is outdoors 95% of the time including during meals and naptime. Teachers model how to dress appropriately for the weather and maintain a positive attitude to provide immersive nature experiences.

Maintain a safe and healthy environment by understanding and adhering to safety protocols. This includes helping children stay warm and dry.

Gracefully and professionally communicate with parents and caregivers, both formally and informally, individually and in groups.

Regularly communicate children’s learning to parents on Storypark app

Read, learn and integrate lessons from the Coyote’s Guide to Connecting With Nature into everyday experiences.

Attend all staff meetings and trainings as necessary

Additional tasks may be assigned to meet the needs of the school

REQUIRED Qualifications

All Lead Teachers must meet the following minimum qualification for preschool teachers as determined by the NY State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS):

an Associate degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or related field; OR

ONE (1) year of experience related to caring for children AND a Child Development Associate Credential or other OCFS recognized credential specific to the preschool developmental period; OR

TWO (2) years of experience related to caring for children AND 9 college credits in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field, with a plan of study leading to:

a Child Development Associate Credential, OR

other OCFS recognized credential specific to the preschool developmental period, OR

an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field;

All Assistant and Substitute Teachers must meet the following minimum qualification for preschool teachers as determined by the NY State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS):

a high school diploma; OR

ONE (1) year of experience related to caring for children under 13

Additionally Applicants must possess:

Deep love and connection with children and the outdoors

Demonstrate an understanding of the developmental needs of young children.

Comfort in the outdoors in all seasons

Works well with a small team of creative educators who collaborate to support the learning of our students, plan activities, create routines, support each other and communicate well.

All Lime Hollow employees must be able to provide an up-to-date personal immunization schedule, have an updated TB booster and complete a medical form at time of hiring

Preferred Skills

Experience in teaching with place-based education, implementing emergent curriculum, Reggio Emilia, nature and/or environmental education and/or the arts.

Interest and knowledge of flora and fauna of Central NY, basic wilderness or outdoor skills, hazards of Central NY, etc.

Experience, knowledge, or coursework in child development, behavior management, various teaching philosophies and methods

Familiarity with Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature, 8 Shields Institute, or other nature connection philosophy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

Must be able to lift and carry children up to 75 lbs.

Must be able to walk, sit, run, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, pull, push and spend long periods of time standing

There may be physical demands based on physical, emotional and cognitive needs of particular children

Must cheerfully embrace being outdoors in all weathers, and show enthusiasm for animals, bugs and all of our natural environment.

Pay/Hours/Benefits

Pay Rate: $16-$20/hour (depending on experience and qualifications)

Seasonal or Year-Round: Depending on Lime Hollow’s needs, positions may be seasonal (for a designated period of time) or Year-round (an average of 35 hours per week.)

Benefits:

All seasonal staff receive: Paid pre-determined vacation days, paid training, paid sick time, worker’s compensation/disability benefits, and several unpaid weeks off depending on the season

All year-round staff receive: Health insurance, paid pre-determined vacation days, paid personal days, paid training, paid sick time, worker’s compensation/disability benefits, and 4 unpaid weeks (Winter Break, Spring Break, and up to 2 weeks in the summer)

Specific dates will be outlined in the offer letter.

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Student Aide, Forest Preschool

Forest Preschool Philosophy

Lime Hollow’s Forest Preschool program is guided by the idea that children are instinctively drawn to nature and learn with enthusiasm and a sense of wonder when they spend ample time in natural spaces.  We offer a unique early childhood education experience for young children to learn, grow, and reach their full potential through daily immersion in nature with caring, attentive teachers. Our forest preschool has dual goals of fostering the development of the whole-child and nature connection. We are the first forest preschool in the State of New York to be licensed by the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) as a day-care provider. We follow a child-led, play-based curriculum, while tracking the NY State Standards for Early Childhood Education. While children run, jump, splash, climb, dig, and play together, they are gently guided toward a deep love and respect for the earth, themselves and their community. Through outdoor immersion, children are mentored to form a deep connection to nature and to find their place in it.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Student Aide who is a self-motivated and directed individual with strong communication skills, the desire to listen and speak with children effectively and with compassion; the flexibility to operate independently and as part of a team; has an engaging personality; and a genuine interest in learning and teaching of young children, working with families, and cultivating community connections.

The Student Aide supports children’s learning in nature by providing additional attention and resources to children who need them within a group setting. This can look like taking time to give a student a break, assisting with skill while fostering independence, and scaffolding behaviors to help a student gain confidence in themselves and strengthen relations within the classroom community. Any employee of the Forest Preschool should show good judgement by modeling respect for the creatures we encounter and the spaces we occupy, choosing peacemaking, and expressing gratitude. We are committed to creating an environment that fosters a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and a sense of belonging for the families in our community.

Responsibilities

• Provide One on One support for a specifically designated child

  • Feeling confident in taking a break by taking a child for a walk or to a designated safe space.

  • Assisting in skill building by fostering independence and building confidence by scaffolding a child’s abilities (Ex: If you help me close your lunchbox I can put it in your backpack)

  • Keep a constant eye on the designated child, while also keeping the safety of the whole group in mind. 

  • Help the child build social skills and confidence in themselves by narrating play and conflict alike and offering resolution techniques such as restorative justice. 

  • Creating a safe and fulfilling bond with the child and finding time to play!

• Work collaboratively with the Forest Preschool Teachers

• Use appropriate behavioral management with students to resolve conflict

• Embrace the weather! Lime Hollow Forest Preschool is outdoors 95% of the time including during meals and naptime. Employees model how to dress appropriately for the weather and maintain a positive attitude to provide immersive nature experiences. 

• Maintain a safe and healthy environment by understanding and adhering to safety protocols. This includes helping children stay warm and dry. 

• Gracefully and professionally communicate with parents and caregivers, both formally and informally, individually and in groups.

• Attend any meetings and trainings as necessary

REQUIRED Qualifications

• All Student Aides must meet the following minimum qualification for preschool teachers as determined by the NY State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS):

  • a high school diploma; OR

  • ONE (1) year of experience related to caring for children under 13 

• Demonstrate an understanding of the developmental needs of young children. 

• Comfort in the outdoors in all seasons

• Works well with a small team of creative educators who collaborate to support the learning of our students, plan activities, create routines, support each other and communicate well.

• All Preschool Employees must pass and/or provide full documentation prior to the start date including:

• NY State Office of Child and Family Services paperwork, including:

• Fingerprinting, Childcare Background Check, Staff Exclusion List (SEL), Background Check, Criminal Conviction Statement, Educational Qualifications- early childhood credits and coursework, Sex Offender Background Check, Medical Exam/Physical, TB test result, Immunizations schedule, 2 documented reference, COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster status

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. 

• Must be able to lift and carry children up to 75 lbs. 

• Must be able to walk, sit, run, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, pull, push and spend    long periods of time standing 

• There may be physical demands based on physical, emotional and cognitive needs of particular children 

• Must cheerfully embrace being outdoors in all weathers, and show enthusiasm for animals, bugs and all of our natural environment.

Pay/Hours/Benefits

Pay Rate: $16-$17/hour (depending on experience and qualifications)

Employment Per Diem

Lime Hollow is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Lime Hollow makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.