Early Childhood Guide & Family Liaison
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. This role is responsible for a part-time “parent-and-me” program for families with infants and toddlers under age three. 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. Our core values are stewardship, integrity, and gentleness.
Location: Hvar Island, Croatia (in-person)
Dates and Hours: The Guide role is a seasonal contract position. Our work week runs from Monday through Friday.
Guide Timeline:
February 3 - May 2: Curriculum design. Part-time, remote.
May 5 - May 30: Training and preparation. Full-time, in-person.
June 2 - August 29: Teaching. Full-time, in-person.
1pm-2pm, faculty hour
2pm-9pm, teaching
September 1 - 5: Preparation (no students). Full-time, in-person.
September 8 - October 31: Teaching Full-time, in-person.
9am-10am, faculty hour
10am-5pm, teaching
November 3 - November 28: Refine curriculum. Part-time, remote.
Reports to: Field School Director
Job Summary
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Early Childhood Guide and Family Liaison to join our vibrant learning community on Hvar Island, Croatia! This role has two distinct aspects:
Lead a 20-hour-per-week program with 6 young children and their parents or caregivers.
Contribute to key aspects of school administration around safeguarding, feedback, and parent communication.
An ideal candidate will be passionate about facilitating emergent learning and the spontaneity of an early learning environment. Additionally, they will be able to manage the complexity of parent-and-me learning dynamics - facilitating an enriching experience for all with positive energy. A typical day would begin with dinner, transition to nature-based activities on the beach, and end with handwork, music, or a cultural excursion.
As the Family Liaison, this role is responsible for key aspects of school administration and must display a high level of professionalism, emotional intelligence, and clarity in communication.
Key Responsibilities
Early Childhood Guide
Craft and implement a high-quality, place-based Early Childhood curriculum that reflects a developmentally appropriate version of the Field School of Hvar’s educational mission.
Ideate and help build a 220sm learning space with stations for open-ended play, school meetings, and quiet time.
Ensure the safety and well-being of 6 children and their caregivers in indoor and outdoor environments; administer first aid and outdoor rescue should the need arise.
Family Liaison
Provide input on school policies and procedures
Offer guidance and ensure adherence to policies, especially proper filing and organization of incident, complaint, and expulsion reports, working with the director and other faculty to modify procedures when called for.
Gather, organize, and communicate feedback from parents, children, and colleagues across the team to promote mutual understanding and continuous improvement. An interest in metrics and assessment as an enhancement to other forms of feedback is welcome but not required.
Join the Director to meet with parents in situations that have required escalation, such as a complaint or violation of agreed-upon norms.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education Leadership, or a related field.
Experience
Minimum of 3 years of experience in early childhood education settings
Minimum of 3 years of experience in school administration preferred
Skills
Early Childhood Guide
Ability to research, ideate, and plan place-based workshops that appeal to both children and adults in a new landscape (Hvar)
Ability to translate ambitious visions into a detailed operational plan, including timing, required resources, and risks
Patience, humor, and passion for working with young children in a holistic education environment
Family Liaison
Ability to use feedback to help individuals and systems improve; an instinctively developmental and constructive orientation to colleagues, children, and parents
Excellent interpersonal judgement, awareness of typical risks and points of friction in learning environments, a inflexible commitment to child welfare
Technical Skills: Impeccable Written Communication in English, Data Entry and Management, Office Software Proficiency
Qualifications
Certification in child first aid
Reggio Emilia, experiential, inquiry-based, place-based, and nature-based educators will find themselves at home in this environment
Professional experience leading workshops for adults, such as yoga, discussion groups, or retreats preferred
Professional experience in swimming and water activities with young children preferred
Responsive Classroom, Conscious Discipline, or similar backgrounds preferred
Work Environment
This position starts remotely on February 3rd (start date negotiable). The Field School of Hvar is centered in a 220sm indoor learning space with air-conditioning which overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Children spend most of their time outside, on the beach, in forests, and in historic nearby villages, which are walkable, safe, and relatively small.
The work environment will include exposure to varying weather conditions, such as sun, summer 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 will offer opportunities for water-based activities, such as supervised beach play, which requires adherence to safety protocols due to safety risks.
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 toddlers with physical activities such as spotting them while climbing or shoveling dirt.
Ability to bend down, kneel, or sit on the floor to engage with toddlers at their level.
Prolonged periods of standing, walking and/or active play
Salary and Benefits:
Base salary of €18.75/hour: €1,500/month during part-time work and €3,000/month during full-time work
Relocation allowance of €6,000 for 6 months of required, in-person work on Hvar
Assistance in finding comfortable and affordable accommodations
One fresh, locally sourced meal per day, Monday through Friday, when the program is in session
20% tuition discount for children
Life on a safe, family-oriented island with world-class nature and heritage
All faculty from outside the EEA will be sponsored for seasonal work contracts. These contracts do not include dependents, so spouses must apply for residency separately. The Field School of Hvar can advise on these matters.
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.