Floating Substitute Teacher - Preschool, Kindergarten & Afterschool
About This Role
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.
At Leila Day, we believe children thrive in communities rooted in belonging, curiosity, dignity, and care. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the families and communities we serve, and welcome candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Position Summary
Leila Day is seeking a full-time Floating Substitute Teacher to support our preschool, kindergarten, and afterschool programs. This position is an integral part of our teaching team and provides consistent support across classrooms while helping ensure continuity of care and learning when teachers are absent or additional classroom support is needed.
The Floating Substitute Teacher will work across different age groups and classroom environments, typically spending approximately two weeks at a time with a classroom while also providing coverage and support as needed throughout the school. The ideal candidate is a reliable, nurturing, flexible, and collaborative educator who enjoys building relationships with children and colleagues and is comfortable learning and adapting to different classroom communities.
This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging educator, an experienced childcare professional, or a teacher interested in deepening their practice in a progressive, play-based, nature-centered school. The successful candidate will have opportunities to learn from experienced teachers, participate in professional development, and become a valued member of Leila Day's collaborative teaching community.
A genuine enthusiasm for spending time outdoors with children, supporting their curiosity and independence, and learning through play and exploration is essential.
What You'll Do
Responsibilities include:
- Assist Teacher(s) with implementation of activities, experiences and curriculum
- Develop open communications with all colleagues, administration and staff and both maintain and nurture a cooperative and professional relationship with all colleagues .
- Work with individuals and groups in a manner that is consistent with Leila Day values and philosophy
- Contribute to a safe, healthy and active learning environment.
- Care for the needs and well-being of the total group as well as each individual child, including awareness of and sensitivity to issues of equity and implicit bias
- Help with the maintenance of the classroom and outdoor spaces, including stocking of supplies and organizing instructional materials.
- Care for materials and equipment to ensure the indoor and outdoor spaces are properly tidied and organized at the close of each day
- Relay messages to and from the teachers as necessary.
- Be willing to learn and pitch in in all classrooms, and be flexible in terms of classroom assignments day-to-day
- Engage in on-going professional learning opportunities to remain current with early childhood research and best practices.
- Other duties as assigned or necessary.
- Attend staff meetings, school wide events, professional development trainings, and other activities outside of regular hours as deemed necessary by the administration.
Requirements
Qualifications
We are seeking someone who:
- Has experience caring for, working with, or educating young children; experience in a school, childcare, camp, or other youth-serving setting is valuable.
- Is warm, patient, dependable, and responsive to children's needs.
- Enjoys learning, receiving feedback, and growing as an educator.
- Is comfortable working with children across different ages and adapting to different classroom environments.
- Works collaboratively and communicates clearly and respectfully with colleagues and families.
- Demonstrates sound judgment, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm and attentive in a dynamic environment.
- Has a genuine interest in play-based, child-centered, and nature-based education.
- Holds a high school diploma or equivalent.
Required Health, Safety, and Physical Qualifications
- Ability to meet all applicable Connecticut state and Leila Day requirements related to immunizations, physical examinations, background checks, and required health and safety training, including CPR, First Aid, and Administration of Medication, as applicable to the position.
- Ability to safely supervise and respond to children in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.
- Ability to participate in the physical activities of the job, which may include walking, running, climbing, squatting, kneeling, sitting on the floor, and lifting or assisting children weighing approximately 20–60 pounds.
- Ability and willingness to spend significant portions of the school day outdoors in a range of weather conditions.
- Ability to maintain physical and mental alertness, sustain an appropriate level of energy throughout the day, and respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies or unexpected situations.
Nice to Have
Preferred Qualifications
- Coursework, degree, or current study in early childhood education, elementary education, child development, or a related field.
- Experience working in a preschool, kindergarten, childcare, camp, nature school, outdoor education, or similar setting.
- Experience with play-based, emergent, or child-centered curriculum.
- Experience working with mixed-age groups.
- Interest or experience in outdoor education, environmental education, gardening, science, naturalist education, or other nature-based learning.
- Familiarity with observation-based approaches to understanding children's development and learning.
- Interest in pursuing additional education, credentials, or certification in early childhood education
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Sick Leave
- Professional Development
- Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Holiday pay
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions available after two years of service
About Leila Day Nurseries
Leila Day is an accredited, nonprofit child care center serving children of working families from diverse economic, racial and cultural backgrounds from New Haven and surrounding towns. In operation since 1878, this celebrated program's mission is to foster children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical development within a warm and nurturing environment built on sound
principles of child development. Leila Day emphasizes nature and outdoor education. The children and teachers spend time learning outside every day.
Common Questions
What ECE credentials are required for this position?
No credentials required for this role.
What does this position pay?
This Floating Substitute Teacher - Preschool, Kindergarten & Afterschool role pays $19 to $22/Hr.
Is this full-time or part-time?
This job is Full Time.
Where is Leila Day Nurseries located?
Leila Day Nurseries is located at 100 Cold Spring Street, New Haven, CT