Early Childhood Education Lead Teacher for school year 26/27

Position : Rainbow Garden Lead Teacher - School year 26/27

Program: Early Childhood Education

Reports to: Early Childhood Education Director 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Date: July 2026

Position Summary

The Rainbow Garden Lead Teacher position is part of the Early Childhood Education (“ECE”) program held after morning program hours from 12:15 pm to 3:15 pm, 4 days a week and Thursdays 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm. The Rainbow Garden Lead Teacher is responsible for providing an age appropriate Waldorf lunch and rest program that supports the health, well-being, and safety of the children in their care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the ECE Director on program review and activities

• Supervise lunch and rest with mixed age Early Childhood children (ages 3.5-6) and/or preschool children (ages 2.5-4) 

• Offer gentle rhythm throughout the program

• Coordinate the signing out procedures and parent pickup

• Communicate with parents about student behavior and concerns

• Maintain confidentiality in all student/parent situations

• Maintain the ECE classroom organization and cleanliness

• Work with ECE Assistant (dependent on student ratios)

• Become knowledgeable about campus Emergency Plan and be ready to implement

• Complete monthly online timesheet

• Mentoring provided by the ECE Director 

• Mentor Rainbow Garden assistant with the ECE Director 

• Complete, acquire signatures, and file Accident/Incident Report as needed

Additional Responsibilities

• May be asked to substitute for morning program if available

• Can be combined with Early Childhood Assistant position (ECE morning program)

• Meeting with morning lead teacher as needed

• Attendance at once a month full ECE meeting on Thursdays at 2:15 pm

• Attendance at the mandatory licensing meeting in August

• Attendance at scheduled Early Childhood meetings and August In-Service is mandatory

• Attendance and February conference and June In-Service iis encouraged but not mandatory

• Participate in annual Saturday work day In August to prepare classroom

• In accordance with the SMWS philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in accordance with the duties listed above

Education and Qualifications

• Early Childhood Education experience required

• Waldorf Early Childhood experience preferred

• Must be an ECT (Early Childhood Teacher) designated by State of Colorado

• Reliable, consistent, and adaptability to changes

• Experienced interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and parents

• Possess a warm, friendly, professional and joyous demeanor

Early Childhood Licensing Requirements

• Complete requirements for Colorado ECE regulations of Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care. Must be an ECT (Early Childhood Teacher) as designated by the State of Colorado or working toward this qualification. 

• Within 30 days CPR, First Aid, Standard Precautions, Physical, Background check, fingerprinting, mandatory licensing classes, registration in Colorado Shines PDIS and Early Childhood Educator qualified per the State of Colorado’s requirements.

• Submission of a medical physical by a licensed physician or other health care professional as required per licensing regulations

 Work Setting

• Early childhood classroom, outdoor activities, and playground

• Hours are 12:15 pm to 3:15 pm, 4 days a week and Thursdays 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm

• Work schedule follows the SMWS annual school calendar - late August through early June

• Because of the classroom setting, there are limited breaks offered during the day

Salary and Benefits

• Hourly rate of $30.00 per hour

• Hourly rate of $18.00 per hour when participating in meetings/trainings

• Three (3) paid Holidays include: All Cultures Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Memorial Day; school days off are not paid 

• Colorado Paid Sick Leave - 1 hour for each 30 hours worked - up to 48 hours per year 

• 401(k) - SMWS offers a match (determined annually) when 1,000 hours are worked in a fiscal year)

• Professional Development - will be paid time

• Required 15 hours of classes paid at $18.00 per hour

• Because this is a part time position we do not offer additional benefits 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:

• Take frequent walks, use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; speaking and listening 

• Play time in the outdoor playground area in all types of weather conditions

• Daily requirement to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child

• Vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or nation or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to View email address on us.fitly.work.