Nature Preschool Guide

Start Date:  September 2026

Part-time/Non-Exempt: School-year schedule; 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Monday–Friday (25 program hours/week) + up to 2.5 paid planning hours/week, including a team meeting 

Location: Denver Audubon Kingery Nature Center in Chatfield State Park

Salary: $25/hour

About Denver Audubon

Denver Audubon is a conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire actions that protect birds, other wildlife, and their habitats through education, conservation, and research. We connect people to nature in the metro Denver community. 

Position Summary

Join the launch of one of Colorado’s first licensed outdoor, nature-based preschools at our beautiful Kingery Nature Center. As a Guide, you help create a safe, joyful, and inquiry-rich outdoor classroom where children (ages 3–6) explore meadows, forests, and streams every day. This role balances active supervision with observation and documentation, extends children’s nature play with skillful prompts, and partners closely with families and teammates. Small adult-to-child ratios, a mission-driven culture, and daily time outdoors make this a uniquely rewarding position.

Essential Functions

The following illustrate the types of work performed; similar duties may be assigned.

Child Safety & Supervision 

• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe outdoor classroom where children can explore, experiment, and take developmentally appropriate risks.
• Maintain clear supervision, boundaries, and face-to-name awareness at all times.
• Support personal care routines such as handwashing, toileting support as needed, clothing and gear changes, and transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Engagement & Teaching in Nature 

• Spend the majority of each day outdoors in all seasons, actively engaging with children at their physical level.
• Model calm, respectful interactions and support children’s social-emotional development, self-regulation, and independence.
• Use reflective listening, intentional language, and positive guidance strategies aligned with developmentally appropriate practice.

Curriculum & Learning Facilitation 

• Collaborate with the teaching team to design and implement an emergent, nature-based curriculum responsive to children’s interests, questions, and developmental needs.
• Extend children’s play and thinking through stories, songs, tools, loose parts, materials, and intentional invitations rooted in the natural environment.
• Support inquiry across physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional domains.

Observation & Documentation 

• Observe and document children’s learning through notes, photographs, portfolios, and documentation panels.
• Contribute to assessment, reflection, and goal-setting processes.
• Share professional observations with families as appropriate and in alignment with program practices.

Family Partnership 

• Foster warm, professional relationships with families.
• Greet caregivers at arrival and departure and support a welcoming classroom community.
• Contribute to classroom updates, learning stories, and family communication as needed.

Team Collaboration & Professional Growth 

• Participate in daily debriefs, weekly planning meetings, and ongoing team communication.
• Engage in reflective practice, goal-setting, and professional development.
• Support a collaborative, respectful, and mission-aligned team culture.

Safety, Policy, & Stewardship 

• Follow all Denver Audubon Nature Preschool health, safety, weather, and emergency protocols.
• Participate in safety drills and benefit-risk assessments.
• Assist in maintaining organized, inviting indoor and outdoor learning environments.
• Support care of materials, equipment, and shared spaces.

Equity & Inclusion 

• Promote inclusive practices that honor the diversity of children and families.
• Model empathy, respect, and stewardship for both people and the natural world.

Required Qualifications

• Must meet or be willing to meet Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) requirements to serve as an Assistant Director in a licensed Outdoor Nature-Based (ONB) preschool program, through one of the approved qualification pathways.
• If you’re unsure whether your background meets state requirements, we still encourage you to apply — we’re happy to review your qualifications together.
• Willingness to complete a Department-approved Outdoor Nature-Based (ONB) training before working with children.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and core values of Denver Audubon.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create and maintain cooperative relationships with children, families, team members, and volunteers.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain while carrying materials, and lift up to 40–50 lbs as part of daily setup and activities.
• Ability to think quickly, make sound decisions, and adapt to ever-changing outdoor conditions, including weather shifts, wildlife activity, and dynamic group needs.
• Ability to observe, document, and respond to the developmental, physical, and emotional needs of children ages 3–6 in a safe, nurturing, and engaging outdoor classroom environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of child development principles, positive guidance strategies, and the importance of play in early childhood education.
• Capacity to make sound decisions in dynamic outdoor environments and respond calmly and effectively to emergencies.
• Must pass a background check. 
• Must be able to navigate trails with uneven terrain. Position will involve periods of standing, crouching, bending, etc. for up to 4 hours at a time; accommodation needs may be discussed on an individual basis.
• Occasional evening and weekend work will be required for all-school events and Caregiver/Guide conferences up to 3 times/year. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• At least one month of experience working with preschool-aged children in nature-based, outdoor, or alternative learning settings.
• Experience designing and implementing emergent, inquiry-based curriculum grounded in children’s interests and the rhythms of the natural world.
• Familiarity with Forest School, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, or other play-based and nature-centered approaches.
• Experience engaging with families and caregivers through observation sharing, developmental communication, and collaborative partnerships.
• Willingness and ability to handle a variety of animals (e.g., amphibians, arthropods, mammals, reptiles) and incorporate them into the learning experience.
• Enthusiasm for environmental stewardship and a personal love of nature that inspires curiosity and wonder in children.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus.

Schedule,Compensation & Benefits

• Schedule: School Year (September - May) 
• Hours: 25 program hours/week + up to 2.5 paid planning hours/week, including a team meeting
• Rate: $25/hour
• Typical monthly hours: ~130
• Estimated annual wage: ~$29,250 (based on a 9-month school year).
• Paid vacation and paid sick leave. Nine paid holidays and five additional floating holidays in the months of December and January. Eligible for employer-sponsored medical coverage.
• Optional summer employment may be available through camps or seasonal programs.

What Makes This Opportunity Special

• Be part of launching one of Colorado’s first licensed outdoor, nature-based preschools.
• Small group sizes and strong adult-to-child ratios.
• A collaborative, reflective, mission-driven team culture.
• A stunning daily work environment at Denver Audubon Nature Center.
  
  

Application Instructions

Please email a resume and brief cover letter (1–2 pages) outlining your experience with young children and outdoor learning to caroline@denveraudubon.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by April 10.

Denver Audubon values diversity of thought, experience, and background. Even if you don’t meet every preferred qualification, we encourage you to apply if you are passionate about connecting children with nature, believe in the power of outdoor learning, and are excited by the mission of Denver Audubon Nature Preschool.

Denver Audubon is dedicated to equal employment opportunity and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on any protected status under applicable law.