Preschool Atelier Lead (The Early Lab)

Organization: Learning Blueprint ThinkerStudio

Reports To: Executive Director / Director of Curriculum & Instruction (DCI)

Start Date: Fall 2026 (Operational Expansion)

Status: Full-Time

Position Overview

The Preschool Atelier Lead is the pedagogical heart of our Early Lab. At ThinkerStudio, we do not view preschool as preparation for school, but as a vital stage of life where children are already scientists, artists, and citizens. This role is designed for a leader who thrives in a Reggio-inspired, inquiry-based environment, process art, loose parts and is passionate about documenting the invisible logic of early childhood discovery.

As a Lead Artisan, you will curate an environment of wonder within our facility, bridging the gap between open-ended play and foundational inquiry. You are responsible for maintaining the high standards of a professional private school environment, ensuring our youngest learners are respected as capable researchers from day one.

Key Responsibilities

1. Pedagogical Leadership & Inquiry

  • The Environment as Teacher: Design and maintain a sophisticated Atelier (studio) environment that encourages autonomy, sensory exploration, and respect for natural materials.

  • Documentation of Learning: Act as a pedagogical narrator, using photography, transcription, and video to make student thinking visible to families and the community.

  • Inquiry Arcs: Facilitate long-term projects (progettazione) that emerge from the children’s interests—whether exploring the mechanics of the studio’s water channels or the ecology of the natural pond.

2. Foundational Discovery

  • Emergent Literacy & Numeracy: Integrate foundational concepts through meaningful contexts—storytelling, clay work, light-and-shadow play, and architectural building—rather than isolated drills.

  • Social-Emotional Mentorship: Guide the Village of our youngest learners through the development of empathy, collaboration, and self-regulation using a restorative lens.

3. Compliance & Private School Standards

  • TEPSAC Alignment: Maintain the instructional rigor and documentation required for private school recognition, ensuring the program exceeds standard childcare expectations.

  • Safety & Stewardship: Oversee the health and safety of the Preschool Wing, ensuring all specialized equipment and Maker tools are used in age-appropriate, supervised, and safe ways.

4. Community & The Village

  • Family Partnerships: Collaborate with parents in our Village Equity model, guiding them on how to support inquiry at home and documenting the collective growth of the cohort.

  • Professional Collaboration: Partner with the K-3rd and Upper Studio Lead Artisans to ensure a cohesive ThinkerStudio experience as children transition between studios.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (Master’s or specialized Reggio Emilia training preferred).

  • Experience: * Minimum 3–5 years of lead experience in a Reggio-inspired, Process Art, or high-level inquiry preschool.

    • Proven experience in pedagogical documentation and portfolio creation.

  • Skills: * Deep understanding of child development and emergent curriculum.

    • Strong aesthetic sensibility for environment design and documentation.

Founding Mindsets

  • Radical Trust in Children: You view the child as strong, powerful, and rich in resources from birth.

  • The Player-Coach Spirit: You are a lifelong learner who finds joy in the "messy" process of discovery alongside your students.

  • The Insider/Outsider Agility: The ability to navigate the documentation needs of a private school (the "Insider") while protecting the wonder and freedom of the Early Lab (the "Outsider").

  • Restorative Heart: A belief that early childhood is the foundation for a restorative community.

Compensation

  • Salary: Budgeted at $65,000 annually.

  • Benefits: Comprehensive benefits and taxes package (budgeted at 27% of salary).

  • Schedule: Full-Time, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm core hours, plus afternoon studio assistance.