Child Development Teacher (Infants & Toddlers - Pre-K)

Job Summary

Job Description

Pay Based on Education and Experience

• High School Diploma – $17 per hour starting pay
• Associates Degree – $20.20 per hour starting pay
• Bachelor’s Degree – $21.64 per hour starting pay

Position Summary

Reporting to the Childcare Center Director, the Child Development Teacher is responsible for implementing the child development program for groups or individual children.

Relationships and Contacts

Within the organization:  Initiates and maintains frequent and close working relationships with the Childcare Center Director, Assistant Director, Pre-K Instructional Coach, Teachers and other St. Luke’s team members.

Outside the organization:  Initiates and maintains frequent and close working relationships with students and parents of the St. Luke’s Child Development Center and partnering organizations.

Job Responsibilities

Position Responsibilities

• Responsible for maintaining best practices as outlined by St. Luke’s Child Development Center, TNDHS and NAEYC.
• Follows all policies and procedures outlined in St. Luke’s Employee Handbook, Job Description and TNDHS.
• Supports the program’s philosophy-regarding how children learn through play, positive discipline, making students, families, and co-workers feel safe and loved.

Implementation of the Curriculum

• Is proficient in the curriculum and the use of Conscious Discipline for children as appropriate.
• Assists classroom teachers with the completion, submission, and execution of weekly lesson plans with any necessary assistance from the Instructional Coach, Assistant Director, or Child Development Director.  Assures children’s goals are addressed in lesson plans.
• Assists classroom teachers to maintain personal file information on assigned groups of children.  Responsible that all necessary notes and documentation are made for each child’s progress.  

Communication

• Develops and maintains positive partnerships with fellow staff, supervisors, and parents.
• Arrives to program with a positive attitude.
• Presents concerns and/or negative information with tact and handles communication with empathy and courtesy with families and staff.
• Communicates directly, respectfully, and consistently with parents/families and staff.
• Communicates with parents and teachers about developmental milestones, early learning standards, curriculum, and our social-emotional learning philosophy alongside classroom teachers.
• Attends all scheduledtraining, staff meetings, in-service and parent meetings, as directed.  

Licensing Requirements

• Responsible for being knowledgeable and following DHS childcare guidelines.
• Contributes to annual evaluation of their assigned classroom by maintaining classroom environment and materials in accordance with DHS regulation and NAEYC accreditation.
• Obtains the minimum number of training hours as required by DHS and/or the Child Development Director.

Classroom Management

• Is present in the classroom ready to work at the assigned start time of the shift.
• Works with assigned group of children or youth on individual developmental milestone and goals.
• Shares the day-to-day responsibilities of the classroom with other co-workers.   
• Provides list of supplies as needed to Child Development Director, Assistant Director or Instructional Coach.
• Maintains a neat and clutter free environment.
• Performs all emergency drills in accordance with St. Luke’s policies and procedures.
• Maintains first aid kit as specified by DHS.
• Greets, encourages, and supervises volunteers in attendance of the preschool program and ensures that they follow guidelines established by St. Luke’s.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• High school diploma.
• CDA or CDA in progress preferred.
• Experience in a licensed, quality childcare, accredited preferred.
• Personnel supervision skills

Skill Competencies

• Good organizational and communication skills
• Commitment to customer service

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to communicate with peers/general public.
• Job performance will require the ability to move throughout the building as well as sit or remain stationary for extended periods of time.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to talk or hear, sit, stand, walk, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell.
• Ability to move 40 pounds.

Other Requirements

The candidate must be able to pass a drug test, have a clear background check and meet the Department of Human Services Requirements for the State of Tennessee.

Additional Information

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision

25 days PTO (first year)

401k (employer match)

LTD, STD, Life Insurance (employer paid)

How to Apply

Candidates may email a copy of their resume to View email address on cnemt.org.

Details

• Date Posted: September 3, 2026
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Programs and Service Delivery
• Service Area: Children / Youth
• Start Date: 09/28/2026
• Salary Range: 35,000 - 45,000
• Working Hours: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm M-F