About Leila Day
Leila Day is a progressive, play-based, nature-centered school where childhood is honored. We innovate and build on the best traditions and practices of progressive, early childhood education. We believe in teaching and learning grounded in caring relationships, filled with joyful, learning adventures, and powered by the creativity of children at play. Teachers plan learning experiences around the needs and interests of the children and the opportunities provided by the natural world and our multicultural community.
Our indoor and outdoor classrooms encourage children to explore, wonder, learn, and grow. Located beside East Rock Park in New Haven, we use the woods, trails, streams, and surrounding neighborhood as an extension of the classroom.
We are seeking an experienced and collaborative educator for a unique hybrid role combining leadership in nature and cultural curriculum development, with coordination and leadership of our After School Adventure Program curriculum and daily implementation. This is an exciting growth opportunity for an early- to mid-career educator to work closely with our Executive Director to develop curriculum leadership skills and deepen their practice in outdoor and nature-based education.
Position Summary
This full-time role includes two interconnected responsibilities:
- Nature & Culture Curriculum Facilitator
(approximately 4.5 hours daily) - After School Program Coordinator & Lead Teacher
(approximately 2:15–5:45 PM daily)
The ideal candidate is passionate about outdoor education, emergent curriculum, multicultural learning, and relationship-based teaching. A key responsibility of this role is to coordinate, design, and oversee the curriculum and daily flow of the After School Adventure Program, ensuring alignment across two groups:
- Juniors (ages 6–7)
- Seniors (ages 8–9)
This includes ensuring continuity, developmental appropriateness, and intentional planning across both groups.
The educator is excited to help children ages 3–9 develop curiosity, confidence, stewardship, and connection through nature, storytelling, play, art, and community engagement.
Nature & Culture Curriculum Facilitator Responsibilities
Working collaboratively with preschool, kindergarten, and after school educators, this role will:
- Support teachers in developing nature-based and outdoor curriculums for their classrooms
- Help build on seasonal exploration, gardening, storytelling, and environmental observation that exists across the lives of our classrooms
- Collaborate on multicultural curriculum inspired by the traditions, histories, and lived experiences of Leila Day families and the broader New Haven community
- Provide materials, ideas, provocations, and experiences that enrich emergent curriculum
- Help organize projects, all-school celebrations, public events, and experiences connected to culture and nature
- Foster children’s sense of belonging, curiosity, and care for the world around them
Children at Leila Day spend significant time outdoors in all seasons through hiking, exploration, play, storytelling, and observation. We are seeking an educator who sees the outdoors as a “third teacher” and values learning grounded in place, relationship, and discovery.
After School Program Coordinator & Lead Teacher
Leila Day’s After School Adventure Program is a creative, nature-based program for children ages 6–9 that balances freedom, imagination, and community after the school day.
In this role, you will coordinate the full After School program curriculum and daily structure across Juniors (6–7) and Seniors (8–9), ensuring coherence, continuity, and strong developmental alignment.
Responsibilities include:
- Coordinating and overseeing curriculum planning for both After School groups (Juniors and Seniors)
- Leading a mixed-age group of high energy, curious children in engaging after-school experiences
- Planning outdoor adventures, creative projects, games, and hands-on activities
- Supporting children’s social-emotional growth and problem-solving
- Creating opportunities for expression through art, movement, language, and play
- Building strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues
- Maintaining an organized and welcoming environment
- Supervising outdoor exploration and transitions in all seasons
- Coordinating all communication with parents and families
- Supervising a staff of one other lead teacher and three assistant teachers
