Kinder Guide

Program Overview

The Field School of Hvar is a family slow travel experience, inviting parents and children to find equilibrium and joy on Hvar, an island off the Adriatic coast of Croatia. Children ages four through seventeen develop academic and socio-emotional skills through immersion in the island’s nautical and artisanal heritage, participating in a full-time, drop-off enrichment program 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday. There is also a part-time “parent-and-me” program for toddlers, ages one through three. Our core values are stewardship, integrity, and gentleness.

Location: Hvar Island, Croatia (in-person)

Dates and Hours: The Guide role is a seasonal position. Guides work part-time and remotely from February through April, then come to island Hvar for a full-time, in-person engagement from May 2 through October 31 (6 months). Finally, Guides offer another month of part-time, remote work in the month of November. The work week runs from Monday through Friday.

Guide Timeline:

  • February (start date negotiable) - May 2: Curriculum RESEARCH and DESIGN. Part-time, remote.

  • May 5 - May 30: TRAIN and PREPARE. Full-time, in-person.

  • June 2 - October 31: IMPLEMENT. Full-time, in-person.

    • June 2 - August 29: summer sessions

    • 1pm-2pm, faculty hour

    • 2pm-9pm, teaching

  • September 1 - 5: no students, internal review and preparation. Full-time, in-person.

  • September 8 - October 31: fall session. Full-time, in-person.

    • 9am-10am, faculty hour

    • 10am-5pm, teaching

  • November 3 - November 28: REFINE. Part-time, remote.

Reports to: Field School Director

Job Summary

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Kinder Guide to join our vibrant learning community on Hvar Island, Croatia! The Kinder Guide is responsible for leading a group of 12 children, ages 4-6 years, in partnership with the Assistant Kinder Guide. The Guide will design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that includes a morning sea session, gardening, cooking, and nature crafting, and leaves room for emergent learning. The guide will support the children emotionally and physically through risky play and will have experience linking early academics to experiential learning experiences.

An ideal candidate will be passionate about facilitating emergent learning and the spontaneity of an early learning environment. Additionally, they will have experience being with young children in wild natural settings and cooking meals with young children.

Key Responsibilities

  • Ensure the safety and well-being of 12 children in indoor and outdoor environments.

  • Craft and implement a high-quality place-based curriculum that ties to international learning standards and reflects the Field School of Hvar’s educational mission.

  • Guide children to articulate and uphold their own norms, use restorative justice strategies for managing conflict, and maintain clear and consistent communications on behavior management with colleagues and parents.

  • Act as a mentor and partner to the Assistant Kinder Guide, leading children as a team

  • Collaborate with fellow educators and staff, creating a wholesome, supportive and positive community for families

  • Administer first aid and outdoor rescue should the need arise.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a related field.

Experience

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience working in education settings is highly desirable.

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in curriculum design.

Skills

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

  • Ability to create engaging and developmentally appropriate nature-based programming

  • Patience, empathy, and a passion for working with young children in an alternative education environment

  • Professional water recreation and safety experience is highly preferred

Preferred Qualifications

  • Reggio Emilia-inspired, place-based, and nature-based educators will find themselves at home in this environment

  • Experience cooking with children

  • Responsive Classroom, Conscious Discipline, or similar backgrounds.

Work Environment

This position starts remotely on February 3rd (start date negotiable). The Field School of Hvar is based in the quaint, but vibrant village of Jelsa on Hvar Island, Croatia. The work environment may include exposure to varying weather conditions, such as sun, heat, wind, and occasional rain. The guide should be prepared for outdoor work in diverse conditions and have appropriate attire for both indoor and outdoor activities. The proximity to the sea may offer opportunities for water-based activities, such as supervised beach play, which requires adherence to safety protocols due to water risk.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to move around easily in various environments, including classrooms, public playgrounds, and wild outdoor settings.

  • Capability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and assist children with physical activities such as climbing, swimming, or shoveling dirt

Salary and Benefits:

  • Total compensation of €18.75/hour or €1,500/month for part-time and €3,000/month for full-time work.

  • Relocation allowance of up to €1,000 for each month on Hvar, including health insurance, which costs about €100 per month

  • Assistance in finding comfortable and affordable accommodations

  • One fresh, locally sourced meal per day when the program is in session

  • 20% tuition discount for children

  • Life on a safe, family-oriented island with world-class nature and culture

All faculty from outside the EEA will be sponsored for work permits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Field School of Hvar is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

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