Nature - Based Early Childhood Educator

NEXT DOOR FOUNDATION INC•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

The Nature-Based Early Childhood Educator supports Next Door’s mission to help young children and families build the foundation for a successful future by delivering high-quality, play-based, nature-centered learning experiences for children, their families, and the Next Door team of educators as they guide our children in their learning. This role serves children and educators across both Next Door sites (Capitol Drive and 29th Street) and serves as an instructional model for staff and families, supporting the integration of nature-based learning throughout learning environments—including classrooms, outdoor classrooms, natural play spaces, gardens, hallways, and playful learning landscapes. The Nature-Based Educator designs, builds, and sustains outdoor learning experiences and environments, both indoors and outdoors, at both sites, as well as modeling nature-based instruction in our community early childhood partner sites, on occasion. Grounded in Head Start School Readiness Goals and Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), this role fosters children’s curiosity, connection to the natural world, and growth across all developmental domains. In partnership with classroom teams, and program directors the Nature-Based Educator builds staff capacity through modeling, coaching, co-teaching, and collaborative planning to ensure nature-based learning is developmentally appropriate, inclusive for children’s varied learning needs, and aligned with Head Start expectations for high-quality early learning.

Requirements

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field.
The incumbent must have access to a personal vehicle to use on a daily basis, maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance with liability limits of $300,000 (bodily injury) and $25,000 (property damage for each occurrence).
Experience teaching children ages 0–5 in a high-quality early childhood or Head Start setting.
Strong understanding of developmentally appropriate practice, play-based learning, and experiential instruction aligned with Head Start expectations.
Demonstrated passion for nature-based education and ability to engage young children in outdoor and environmental learning.
Strong collaboration and communication skills; ability to build trusting, supportive relationships with educators, families, and community partners.
Commitment to Next Door’s values of inclusive learning opportunities for all students’ needs and abilities and whole-child development.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or advanced training in nature-based early childhood education, environmental education, or outdoor education.
Experience in educator coaching, modeling, or professional development.
Familiarity with Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and the national Educare Network.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills.