Nature Based Toddler Teacher in Waterbury, VT

Summary

River Branch Community School is seeking a passionate, creative, nature-loving educator to join our small but vibrant community. At RBCS, we recognize the vital role early childhood educators play in fostering a healthy, thriving, and culturally rich society.

Our days are spent outdoors, exploring all that Vermont’s landscape has to offer—flowering meadows, fruiting trees, thick, gooey mud, rhythmic rain, deep snowy drifts, and the subtle signs of deer and rabbits moving through the fields. This natural environment serves as the foundation for how we support children in making sense of the world around them. We strive to provide a safe, nurturing educational environment where children are encouraged to take risks, wonder, and build meaningful relationships with peers, educators, and the natural world. Our work with children is grounded in the belief that all young learners are competent, capable, and deeply inquisitive. Through play-based learning and hands-on investigation, we support each child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

If this approach resonates with you and you’re looking for a workplace that nurtures both your personal passions and professional growth, RBCS may be a great fit. We are committed to supporting our educators and families by promoting a healthy work-life balance, respecting individual autonomy, and fostering a collaborative approach to education.

We are always accepting applications for this role.

Duties

Lead Toddler Teacher Responsibilities:

• Design and implement a responsive, play-based curriculum rooted in nature and aligned with toddler development
• Create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment that supports exploration both indoors and outdoors in all seasons
• Build strong, attuned relationships with toddlers, supporting emotional regulation, early communication, and social development
• Lead daily rhythms and routines (meals, rest, toileting/diapering, transitions) with consistency, patience, and respect
• Supervise and mentor assistant teachers, modeling best practices and supporting a cohesive classroom team
• Observe, document, and assess children’s development to inform individualized care and curriculum planning
• Partner with families through regular communication, conferences, and shared goal-setting
• Support toddlers in developing independence and self-help skills in a respectful, developmentally appropriate way
• Ensure compliance with all licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and program policies
• Maintain an organized, well-prepared classroom and outdoor learning space
• Participate in staff meetings, reflective practice, and ongoing professional development
• Contribute to a collaborative, respectful school culture that values flexibility, communication, and shared responsibility

Requirements

Job Requirements – Lead Toddler Teacher

• Must meet Vermont licensing qualifications for a Teacher/Lead Teacher (one of the following):
• Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level IV certificate, or
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent credits) in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field with experience, or
• CDA or associate-level credential with relevant experience (as permitted under state pathways)
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with toddlers (ages 13–35 months) in a group setting
• At least 20 years of age and eligible to be counted in staff-to-child ratios
• Completion and clearance of all required background checks (criminal history, child abuse registry, fingerprinting) prior to working independently with children
• Current (or willingness to obtain within required timeframe):
• Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification
• Training in emergency preparedness, injury prevention, and child safety
• Commitment to ongoing professional development (minimum annual training hours per Vermont regulations) and participation in an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP)
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development, especially toddler social-emotional growth, attachment, and early communication
• Ability to maintain active supervision of children at all times, including during outdoor exploration in varied terrain and weather conditions
• Strong understanding of licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and appropriate caregiving practices (diapering, feeding, rest, and responsive caregiving)
• Physical ability to:
• Work outdoors daily in all seasons (rain, snow, uneven terrain)
• Lift and carry young children (typically up to 50 lbs)
• Engage in active play, hiking, and nature-based exploration
• Experience (or strong interest) in nature-based or outdoor early childhood education, including risk-taking, seasonal curriculum, and emergent learning
• Ability to lead a classroom team, mentor assistants, and collaborate effectively with colleagues
• Strong communication skills and ability to build respectful, trusting relationships with families
• Commitment to anti-bias, culturally responsive, and relationship-centered teaching practices
• Alignment with RBCS values: curiosity, respect for the natural world, collaboration, flexibility, and a belief in children as capable learners

Benefits

Our educators are compensated with a highly competitive annual salary, commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time position, scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Educators receive a daily 45-minute lunch break, as well as dedicated weekly planning time and team meetings built into operating hours.

Benefits include:

• 15 days of CTO (Combined Time Off)
• One set week of paid July vacation
• One set week of paid December vacation
• One set week of paid February vacation
• 6 additional paid holidays
• 50% discount on childcare (or $0 copay with CCFAP)
• Simple IRA with a 3% employer match
• 5 days of team professional development annually
• VTAEYC membership
• Annual COLA
• Regular snacks, treats, bagels, and occasional pizza or staff appreciation lunches!

We are a close-knit, supportive community of educators who value one another and the work we do. We look forward to meeting you!