JK / SK Nature- Based Educator

Ancaster Forest & Nature School is a new, 35 child private forest and nature school that is dedicated to providing children ages 18 months – 6 years with an exceptional nature-based educational experience. We are in the process of licensing with the Ministry of Education with a licensing expectation date of March 2024.

We have a largely emergent, student-led play and place-based curriculum where children are understood as competent learners that help forge their own learning and program. Students spend much of the day immersed in various outdoor settings where learning is unhurried and there is space for independent reflection, collaborative creation, and risky play.

Our philosophy: At Ancaster Forest and Nature School, we believe that when children have the freedom to explore, play, build, create, imagine, and use their senses to experience nature and their natural environment, they are following their intrinsic desire to learn. It is here that the deepest connections are made for a lifelong love of learning and respect for the outdoors.

Our Mission: Our mission is to foster rich learning experiences for children using a whole-child approach that will not only develop a deeper connection with nature, but also cultivate a sense of belonging and a connection to community, while building a more sustainable world.

Our Objectives: Our objectives are to provide a unique and customized learning experience which surround teaching young children about land stewardship, the importance of nature and taking care of our diverse environment. Deep connections are made through discovering wildlife habitats, and exploring geological and natural features that provide essential ecosystems and resilience to climate change. It is through these deep connections that children develop their ecological identity, which allows us to experience the earth as our home ground and leaves us determined to live in honorable relationship with our planet.

We are hiring a fantastic JK/ SK Lead Educator who is dedicated to building meaningful and lasting relationships, has a natural desire and connection to nature and the outdoors and has a love for teaching in nature. The maximum class size for this program is 12 students.

The candidate is a:

• Registered Early Childhood Educator, and/or
• Holds a bachelor of Education or training in an alternative model such as Waldorf, Forest, Nature or Montessori methods and has excellent knowledge and skills in working with current Ministry of Education documents (Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT), How Does Learning Happen? and the Child Care and Early Years Act) and The Kindergarten Program (2016).

Required Qualifications:

• Registered Early Childhood Educator, in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators and/or has a certificate in an alternative learning model.
• 3+ years’ experience working in an Early Learning Centre, Day Care and/or an Educational Center and has specific experience planning for children ages 3.5-6 years.
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSC) completed no longer than 3 months prior to position start date.
• First Aid/ CPR Level C certificate
• Safe Food Handlers Certificate
• Knowledge of Ministry of Education Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) and How Does Learning Happen?
• Ability to communicate in a sensitive, courteous manner with children, parents, staff and the general public.
• Proven ability to follow directions, policies and procedures in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Understanding and commitment to confidentiality.
• Proven ability to deal with difficult situations and to take appropriate action in a stressful or emergency situations according to policies and procedures.
• Experience planning and implementing developmentally appropriate programs.
• Basic computer skills, strong organization and time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ideally, the candidate has experience working as a DECE in a kindergarten program.

Description/Responsibilities:

• You must be dependable and reliable to attend every scheduled day.
• Develop and deliver daily forest/ nature school programming with children aged 3.5-6 years.
• Research, plan and implement a dynamic Forest and Nature School program and daily preparation of learning areas and materials.
• Use The Kindergarten Program (2016) document in planning and implementing activities and outcomes as well as use this document for completing individual children's progress reports.
• Plan and prepare activities and projects utilizing natural materials that are locally foraged or sourced.
• Communicate with parents effectively in person regarding their children and the program.
• Respond appropriately to the varying needs of children and implementing strategies that are individually focused and age appropriate, with an emphasis on compassion and respect.
• Effectively use the natural landscape in a variety of ways to foster learning and spark curiosity with the students.
• Support student sense of wonder and integrate inquiry-based strategies that effectively extends student emergent learning and interests.
• Ensure the safety of all participants at all times, including but not limited to: forest play, crafts, story telling and hikes.
• Document observations of each child’s interests and progress and create displays of their work (pedagogical documentation).
• Maintaining a hygienic/safe environment.
• Report to parents and supervisors on children’s developmental progress within healthy, safe nurturing and challenging play environments before and after school
• Work collaboratively as a team with educators and staff to deliver a dynamic Early Learning Program.
• Attend staff meetings and other professional development activities.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Please include a cover page highlighting why you would be a good fit for our school.

We will only contact candidates of interest who are qualified so please read requirements carefully.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $50,000.00-$52,000.00 per year

Education:

• DCS / DEC (required)

Experience:

• teaching: 2 years (required)
• kindergarten: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• CECE membership or alternative teaching method certificate (required)

Ability to Commute:

• Ancaster, ON L9G 2C4 (required)

Work Location: In person