We are The Village Nest cooperative, a nature-based Preschool, and K-2 school based out of Raitt Farm Museum in Eliot, ME. We run our part and full-time programs outside; teaching without the four walls of a classroom.
At the Village Nest Cooperative, we believe that it takes a village to raise well-rounded young naturalists and inspire future confidence in learning environments. Studies show that children who spend more time outside in unstructured settings are more confident in making decisions, working cooperatively, and thinking creatively. We strive to nurture children in a child-led Emergent environment. We emphasize play-based learning with focus on environmental education to create diverse opportunity for children to learn.
Our philosophy is that “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!”
We recognize that part of our role as educators is teaching children to respect and preserve nature for years to come but with that comes the fact that many societal systems have limited opportunities and access to the Maine woods. The Village Nest cooperative is committed to being a part of that change by creating an inclusive environment for mentors, families, and our community to engage in environmental preservation, school clean up days and inevitably learn from one another.
The Village Nest cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees, families and applicants. The Village Nest prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type especially with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity, expression or any other characteristic protected by federal or state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, replacement, promotion, termination, layoff, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
Hiring for a Lead Preschool Mentor
Mentors work to ensure that children have fun and receive proper attention. Their job is to lead crafts and activities, oversee outdoor time, perform first aid for cuts and scrapes and administer medication to children with medical conditions or allergies. They may also change diapers of children between the ages of 2.5 to 5.
Some daily Lead Preschool Mentor duties include:
Ensuring all Mentors are:
- Overseeing that the children have good hygiene and changing diapers as necessary
- Cleaning interactive areas throughout the day/changing areas when needed
- Maintaining a schedule and routine for the children to maintain throughout the day
- Adjusting day plan based on the weather/call outs
- Planning and facilitating emergent curriculum activities
- Oversee the documentation of those activities with photographs/videos and nature journals
- Positively communicating with parents and fellow Mentors
VNC Lead Preschool Mentors skills and qualifications
A Lead Mentor must be skilled in interacting with and providing care to children of various ages. Some of the most important skills and qualifications they should have include:
· Behavioral analysis and cognitive recognition abilities for anticipating and addressing potential interactions or issues as well as caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children
· Strong verbal communication and listening skills to converse with children, fellow professional caregivers and parents or guardians
· Excellent patience and stamina for keeping up with the demands of children of all ages coupled with advanced multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple children at a time
· Must be able to lift and maintain 40 lbs, able to run and physical endurance, be on your feet for a long period of time and okay with being outside in all types of weather.
VNC Mentor experience requirements:
3+ Years of Early Childhood Education experience preferred, will train the right candidate
VNC Mentor education and training requirements:
· BS or BA in Early Childhood Education preferred
· Must have a GED or Higher
· Must obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications
· Must be willing to complete 30 Hours of Professional Development training annually
VNC Mentor salary expectations:
Hourly: Starting at $20/hour with room for growth
Hours: 7:00am-:3:30pm
Benefits: Paid time off, Mental Health days, Trainings paid for, etc.
How to Apply
Please send letter of interest and resume to: Jess Labbe, jess@villagenestcooperative.com
____________________________________________________________
Hiring for Assistant Preschool Mentor
Mentors work to ensure that children have fun and receive proper attention. Their job is to lead crafts and activities, oversee outdoor time, perform first aid for cuts and scrapes and administer medication to children with medical conditions or allergies. They may also change diapers of children between the ages of 2.5 to 5.
Mentor Characteristics:
- A self-starter, flexible and reliable that enjoys working with children ages 4-10 years old
- Committed to teach all winter vacation weeks based off Eliot, Portsmouth, York, and Kittery public school schedule
- Assisting the lead teacher with 12 students daily (math, science, social studies, literacy, STEM, and fine arts)
- Navigating social-emotional and conflict resolution according to VNC standards
- Assist in implementing emergent curriculum based off the Maine State Standards for elementary education
- Document the daily excitement through video/photographs on school iPhone
- Responsible for handling first Aid emergencies in the woods, carrying first aid backpack into woods and restocking first aid backpack
- Responsible for properly disposing of waste according to Leave No Trace
- Adhering to VNC Staff and Parent Handbooks and Maine State Licensing Guidelines
A Mentor must be skilled in interacting with and providing basic care to children of various ages. Some of the most important skills and qualifications they should have include:
· Behavioral analysis and cognitive recognition abilities for anticipating and addressing potential interactions or issues
· Valid CPR and first-aid certifications
· Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children
· Strong verbal communication and listening skills to converse with children, fellow professional caregivers and parents or guardians
· Excellent patience and stamina for keeping up with the demands of children of all ages
· Advanced multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple children at a time
· Must be able to lift and maintain 40 lbs, run and have good physical endurance. Able to be on your feet for a long period of time. This person must be willing to be outside in all types of weather.
VNC Assistant Mentor salary expectations
Hourly: Starting at $15/hour with room for growth
Hours: 8-5:30 (or applicable to this mentor)
Benefits: Paid time off, Mental Health days, Trainings paid for, etc.
VNC Mentor education and training requirements
· Must have a GED for higher
· Must obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications
· Must be willing to complete 30 Hours of Professional Development training annually
VNC Mentor experience requirements
1+ Years of Early Childhood Education experience preferred, will train the right candidate
How to Apply
Please send letter of interest and resume to: Jess Labbe, jess@villagenestcooperative.com
____________________________________________________________
Hiring for Summer Camp Counselors
Counselors work with other Mentors to ensure that children have fun and receive proper attention. Their job is to lead crafts and activities, oversee outdoor time, perform first aid for cuts and scrapes and administer medication to children with medical conditions or allergies. They may also change diapers of children between the ages of 4.5-10.
Daily Summer Camp Counselors duties include:
A Counselor must be skilled in interacting with and providing basic care to children of various ages. Some of the most important skills and qualifications they should have include:
· Behavioral analysis and cognitive recognition abilities for anticipating and addressing potential interactions or issues. Councilors must be caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children
· Strong verbal communication and listening skills to converse with children, fellow professional caregivers and parents or guardians
· Excellent patience and stamina for keeping up with the demands of children of all ages as well as great multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple children at a time
· Must be able to: lift and maintain 40 lbs, run and have physical endurance, be on your feet for a long period of time, be okay with being outside in all types of weather.
VNC Summer Camp Counselors Education and Training Requirement:
· Must be studying Education or a related field in College
· Must obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications
· 2+ Years of Early Childhood Education experience preferred, will train the right candidate
VNC Summer Camp Counselors education and training requirements
· Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)
· First Aid Certification (Preferred)
· CPR Certification (Preferred)
· US work authorization (Preferred)
Counselor Salary
Hourly: $15-18 per hour based on experience/education
Hours: 8-5 variable (40 hours a week)
How to Apply
Please send letter of interest and resume to: Caroline Campano, [email protected]
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