ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Nest Global, in partnership with a leading reentry and workforce development organization in Downtown Los Angeles, is launching a six-month pilot providing free, healing-centered childcare for the children ages 3 months3 years of formerly incarcerated or gang-involved parents enrolled in career training and transformation programs. Running Fridays from 10:30 AM2:00 PM, the program uses a play-based, trauma-informed approach and is staffed alongside UCLA Applied Developmental Psychology interns to ensure high adult-to-child ratios and culturally responsive care.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Program Facilitator will serve as the lead educator in the classroom, responsible for creating a safe, joyful, and developmentally enriching environment for infants and toddlers. This role requires deep experience with trauma-informed, play-based pedagogy and a genuine commitment to serving families who have been impacted by incarceration, gang involvement, and systemic adversity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom Facilitation:

• Foster a trauma-informed, child-centered classroom environment where children develop a sense of safety, belonging, and agency
• Implement play-based, developmentally appropriate activities for infants and toddlers ages 3 months-3 years
• Create healing learning experiences that support children affected by family separation and incarceration

Parent & Family Engagement:

• Build positive, supportive relationships with children, parents/caregivers, and partner organization staff
• Communicate sensitively with families navigating complex challenges including economic instability and trauma
• Support family healing and strengthen parent-child relationships

Observation & Documentation:

• Regularly observe and document children’s learning experiences, interests, and interactions
• Track developmental progress and classroom dynamics

Student Intern Supervision & Mentoring:

• Provide on-site supervision and guidance to UCLA Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) interns
• Delegate age-appropriate classroom responsibilities and administrative tasks to interns based on their training and capabilities
• Communicate regularly with UCLA faculty and Nest Global supervisors regarding intern performance and development

Team Collaboration:

• Actively participate in weekly planning of Nest curriculum with co-facilitator and program coordinator
• Coordinate with UCLA ADP interns to provide integrated classroom support
• Maintain consistent communication with Nest Global supervisors and partner organization staff

Program Operations:

• Arrive early for classroom setup and materials preparation
• Support classroom breakdown and cleaning coordination
• Ensure child safety standards are maintained at all times

Reflection & Professional Development:

• Participate in team meetings with Nest Global staff as needed
• Engage in ongoing Nest Global pedagogical training

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with infants and toddlers in an early childhood education setting
• Familiarity with trauma-informed, play-based, and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Ability to work sensitively with families who have experienced incarceration, poverty, or other adversity
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across multiple partner organizations
• Spanish fluency preferred
• Must pass California DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) background checks prior to working with children

ABOUT NEST GLOBAL

Nest Global provides free, high-quality early childhood education for families experiencing profound instability whether through incarceration, extreme poverty, or forced migration. Founded in Los Angeles in 2017, weve grown from th…