New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Located in New Canaan, CT, and serving approximately 550 students, our mission is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. A talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. We lead by example and challenge students to fulfill their potential, find their path, and follow their passions whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community. 

About the Early Childhood Specialist Position

The Early Childhood Specialist is responsible for serving on our Learning Resources Team to support student learning and for designing and implementing the social-emotional curriculum for our Early Childhood students, with a focus on our Beginners program (ages 3-5 years old). Our Beginners program is child-centered and rooted in the belief that 3 to 5-year-old children are competent, curious, capable, and driven. Our Beginners spend their days steeped in a robust, hands-on, developmentally targeted curriculum hallmarked by a broad-based program, a connection to nature and the roots of the Reggio Emilia approach. The Early Childhood Specialist is a new position and will play a vital role in the student experience. Primary responsibilities of this role include small group and whole group instruction, SEL curriculum development, partnering with faculty and families in supporting the social-emotional and academic development of students, and taking on a leadership role in the Early Childhood Learning Resources Team to support student learning profiles and intervention plans. This position, which commences in the 2025-26 school year, reports directly to the Director of Early Childhood.   

General Responsibilities

· Teach daily small group and whole group lessons focused on building students’ skill sets for cognitive, emotional, and physical growth and regulation to 3 to 5-year-olds

· Coordinate with the Director of Early Childhood, the school psychologist, the learning resource team, and our consultants in order to help develop and implement learning plans for students aged 3-5 years

· Take a learning resource leadership role in the Early Childhood building to ensure Beginners student learning profiles are being supported

· Design and implement a robust, developmentally appropriate, and dynamic curriculum that proactively supports students’ social-emotional development, particularly focused on 3 to 5-year-olds.  

· Collaborate closely with faculty in order to support the implementation of best practices of instruction in classrooms 

· Create regular experiences for outdoor education and exploratory play to support childhood development 

· Support students and teachers in the transition from Beginners to Kindergarten 

· Communicate and collaborate with parents/guardians regarding their child’s progress 

· Lead professional development for faculty on topics related to early childhood development

· Lead parent/guardian parent education offerings on childhood development for ages 3-5 years old

· Collaborate and coordinate with the Early Childhood Learning Resource Team and the School Psychologist in order to strategize and best support student needs

· A deep understanding of childhood development and the social-emotional development of students age 3-5 years of age

· Expertise and background experience in supporting the development of children 3-5 years of age

· Expertise and experience in best practices of teaching and learning for preschool-aged children and an ability to design developmentally appropriate and dynamic lessons

· Comfort and skill in presenting and leading parent/guardian forums

· Relevant Bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university 

Competencies

· Possesses a deep understanding of early childhood development and best practices of social-emotional learning

· Finds true enjoyment in teaching young children and takes a child-centered approach

· Is organized, flexible, creative and adaptive in order to be responsive to the needs of children 

· Is highly organized and efficient in time management, planning, and follow-through 

· Has strong oral, written and interpersonal skills

· Demonstrates cultural competence 

· Demonstrates a willingness to fully engage in life of school

· Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and development; keeps abreast of current research and practices and the latest guidance on child development

· Has a commitment to collaboration with parents/guardians