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Job Description
THE LITTLE BARNYARD PRESCHOOL JOB POSTING FOR 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR PRESCHOOL CO-TEACHER
The Little Barnyard Preschool is a nature-based school on a hobby farm. School year classes typically have 11 children 3-6 years old. It is located on the director's private property and at her residence in Esko, MN. The school year program runs from September-May. The farm has goats, bunnies, ducks and chickens outside, and pet cats inside. Outside we utilize the farm, nature playscape, and forest as learning spaces. The school year program is held indoors and outdoors, with a focus on outdoor nature play. The children and teachers dress for the weather to engage in play outdoors in rain or shine. The teaching philosophy is inspired by nature, the rhythms of the seasons, and methods like the Reggio Emilia Approach. In this approach, the curriculum is emergent and based on the children's interests. The teacher observes, listens, and asks open-ended questions to find what sparks the children's interests. The environment and next activity are prepared based on the children's inquiries and needs. The children are viewed as constructivists in their own learning and are given opportunities to discover and learn new things on their own. _____________________________________________________________________________________
A 4-day/week schedule of Monday-Thursday or A 2-day/week schedule of Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday Teacher hours: 8:30 a.m.•1:45 p.m.
Commitment:
Ideally, the teacher would be able to commit for the whole school year to allow for consistency for the children and other teachers. This position may have the opportunity for growth within the school and long-term status as a teacher.
Duties:
To work collaboratively with the other teachers by arriving at work on time, communicating well, addressing needs, taking initiative within the classroom, being readily and willing to assist as needed, and having a positive, joyful, and motivated attitude. To support the other teachers in all duties. This would include, but is not limited to, setting up and engaging in activities with children, reading children books, supervising children, assisting children with toileting (when necessary), preparing materials for activities, lesson planning with the other teachers, supporting children during animal interactions, making snack with the children, leading transitions and group times, communicating with parents, cleaning the kitchen, classroom and playscape during and after class, etc. To follow all Family Childcare licensing requirements. To assist in communicating and updating preschool parents at pick-up and drop-off time, and with pictures, quotes, and details of their child's day through the private parent blog SeeSaw. To have general ease and comfort interacting with animals, and ability to prepare materials for activities at the farm. For example, moving haybales for haybale jumping, filling feed buckets, picking up rabbits and chickens, etc. If working a 2 day/week schedule, to be an on-call substitute for other teachers when personal days are needed. This would involve all duties listed above. This option can be discussed at the interview. •This overview may not cover all duties but gives a close representation of what to expect. Education and Experience 18 years or older Ideally, experience working in a nature-based school and working with preschool aged children. Training, background check and a physician form will need to be completed before working with the children.
Physical Demands:
The activities throughout the day are hands-on and support whole-body learning for the children. The teacher's role will involve a lot of walking, standing, playing, sitting on the ground, and getting down to the children's level to be fully engaged in this type of learning style. It is an active job filled with active young people. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow people with disabilities to perform the essential physical demands. _____________________________________________________________________________________ For inquiries, please contact April Hepokoski at 218-213-3424 or april@thelittlebarnyardpreschool.com. To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and 3 letters of recommendation. You may email your application. If you would like to mail it, please contact April through email or phone to get the address of the school. We are in Esko, MN, just a couple minutes from the Midway exit on 35. For more information about the school, please visit our website at http://www.thelittlebarnyardpreschool.com
