Lead a Small Program. Make a Big Impact.

Are you an early childhood educator who loves working with people just as much as you love working with children?

Are you ready to step into leadership — without losing the connection, creativity and sense of purpose that brought you to early childhood education in the first place?

First Roots–Wild Roots (FRWR) is looking for a warm, organized and collaborative Site Director to lead our Infant & Toddler program in Hinesburg.

With a current capacity of 12 children, this is an opportunity to lead a close-knit program while also becoming part of the FRWR Senior Leadership Team supporting our three nature-based early childhood programs.

What You’ll Do

As Site Director, you’ll be the day-to-day leadership presence at First Roots Hinesburg. You’ll help create a place where children thrive, families feel connected and teachers feel supported and valued.

You’ll:

• Lead and support the FRH teaching team

• Build strong, trusting relationships with children, families and staff

• Mentor educators and support their professional growth

• Lead employee reviews and participate in hiring and onboarding

• Oversee licensing, compliance and key administrative responsibilities

• Support enrollment, family communication and community engagement

• Partner with FRWR’s People & Culture, Curriculum/Professional Development and senior leadership teams

• Help strengthen the culture, quality and long-term success of FRH

• Step into classrooms when additional leadership, support or emergency coverage is needed

 

We’d Love to Meet You If You…

• Have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

• Experience working in a center-based early childhood program.

• Leadership experience as a Director, Assistant Director, teacher-leader or similar role is a plus, but just as important is your ability to build trust, communicate clearly, solve problems and bring out the best in others.

• We’re especially looking for someone who is collaborative, proactive, organized and comfortable balancing the people side of leadership with the operational needs of a smaller program.

• And a sense of humor definitely helps!

Why First Roots–Wild Roots?

We’re a 5-STAR, nature-based early childhood education program where outdoor exploration, relationships, professional growth and community are at the heart of what we do.

We also believe people do their best work when they have time for a life outside of work.

Benefits include:

• 120 hours of PTO per year

• Three additional paid closure weeks each year — February, July and December

• Paid holidays

• Employer-paid group health insurance

• $1,200/year Health Reimbursement Account

• Dental and vision coverage

• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance

• Childcare tuition benefits

• Tuition reimbursement and paid professional development

• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates, including up to $1,000 toward moving expenses and potentially up to 90 days of rent-free housing, based on availability

And because work should have some fun mixed in too: staff lunches, bagel days, coffee and snacks, L.L.Bean gear, pickleball, walking trails, a Zen room and even an in-ground pool.

Ready to Grow With Us?

If you’re looking for a leadership role where you can know your team, know your families and genuinely influence the culture of your program, we’d love to hear from you.

Come help us create a place where children, educators and community can grow — naturally. 

First Roots–Wild Roots welcomes applicants of all identities, backgrounds and experiences. We believe our classrooms, workplaces and communities are stronger when all voices are welcomed and respected.

Our Mission: We are a 5 STAR, nature based early childhood education program that views each child as an individual with a unique developmental profile. Through developmentally responsive outdoor programming, we serve children ages 6 weeks to 8 years. Our mission is to Achieve the highest level of professional development, Build a community where families feel connected and respected, and Cultivate sustainable environmental choices and business practices to support the health and well being of all who work and play with us! 
 

Our Purpose:  These are our fundamental reasons for doing what we do. If these resonate with you, come and talk to us!
 

Collaboration: We believe that our best work is done together with reflection and intention at the core.
 

Empathy: We believe in putting people first. 
 

Quality: We believe in setting the standard for excellence in early childhood education. 
 

Positive Impact: We believe in building a better world through our work with children as competent meaning-makers with deep associations and experiences in nature.
 

Sustainability: We believe in creating and developing practices that will sustain our planet, our local environment and our people.
 

Job Type: Full-time

Location: In person

Pay: $58,720 – $62,880/year