Pre-K Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Pre-K Teacher

5th Place Community Childcare – Mesa, Arizona

Full-Time | Monday–Friday

5th Place Community Childcare is looking for a dependable, confident, and nurturing Pre-K Teacher who can take ownership of the classroom and create a safe, engaging environment where children learn through play.

Our philosophy is simple: “Let’s Just Play!” We believe children learn best through intentional, hands-on experiences—not worksheets and constant teacher-directed instruction. We need a teacher who can plan meaningful activities, actively engage with children, and confidently manage a classroom without requiring constant direction.

Quality First Experience

Previous experience working in a Quality First program is strongly preferred. Candidates should understand developmentally appropriate practice, intentional teacher-child interactions, classroom organization, and the importance of consistently applying Quality First and CLASS principles throughout the day—not only during observations.

Experience with Quality First coaching, CLASS observations, environmental rating scales, ASQ, ASQ:SE-2, or NAC accreditation is highly valued. The teacher must be receptive to coaching and able to demonstrate feedback through measurable changes in classroom practice.

What We Are Looking For

The right person will:

• Be reliable and arrive on time for every scheduled shift
• Have strong classroom-management skills
• Actively supervise children at all times
• Notice and respond promptly to conflicts, injuries, toileting needs, and changes in behavior
• Interact meaningfully with children rather than supervising from across the room
• Use positive, intentional teacher-child interactions
• Ask open-ended questions and extend children’s thinking and language
• Provide consistent routines, expectations, and age-appropriate guidance
• Plan and lead engaging, play-based learning experiences
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting learning environment
• Communicate professionally with families, coworkers, coaches, and management
• Follow through on assigned responsibilities without repeated reminders
• Use a childcare app for attendance, communication, documentation, and daily classroom information
• Welcome coaching, apply feedback, and participate professionally in Quality First visits
• Work cooperatively as part of a team and help where needed

Responsibilities

• Provide attentive care and active supervision throughout the day
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities based on children’s interests, abilities, and individual needs
• Support children’s social-emotional, language, cognitive, and physical development
• Prepare children for kindergarten through intentional play, conversation, routines, and hands-on learning
• Create frequent opportunities for meaningful conversations, problem-solving, and child-led exploration
• Guide children through peer conflicts using positive and developmentally appropriate strategies
• Complete classroom observations and developmental screenings, including ASQ and ASQ:SE-2
• Maintain accurate attendance, meal counts, incident documentation, lesson plans, and classroom records
• Assist children with toileting and personal-care needs when necessary
• Maintain required classroom cleaning and sanitation practices
• Follow all ADHS licensing, Quality First, CACFP, NAC, and center requirements
• Participate in Quality First coaching visits and demonstrate continued improvement
• Communicate important information about children to families and management
• Participate in staff meetings, training, coaching, and professional development

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED with documentation
• Previous experience working with preschool or Pre-K children
• Ability to meet Arizona childcare licensing and background-check requirements
• Current or obtainable Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Current or obtainable CPR and First Aid certification
• Ability to complete required childcare training
• Able to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds and remain active throughout the workday

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in an Arizona Quality First program
• Familiarity with CLASS observation expectations
• Experience implementing coaching recommendations
• Experience with ASQ and ASQ:SE-2 developmental screenings
• Knowledge of play-based and developmentally appropriate curriculum
• CDA, early childhood education credential, or college coursework in early childhood education
• Experience with NAC accreditation standards

This Position May Not Be a Good Fit If You:

• Frequently miss work or arrive late
• Prefer to sit and observe rather than actively participate
• Become easily overwhelmed by normal preschool behaviors
• Need repeated reminders to complete everyday responsibilities
• Are unwilling to use or learn required technology
• Have difficulty receiving coaching or changing classroom practices
• Are looking for a position where someone else manages the classroom for you

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys young children, understands that reliability matters, and takes pride in creating a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.

To apply, please submit your résumé and include your expected hourly pay range.

What You'll Do

Responsibilities

• Provide attentive care and active supervision throughout the day
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities based on children’s interests, abilities, and individual needs
• Support children’s social-emotional, language, cognitive, and physical development
• Prepare children for kindergarten through intentional play, conversation, routines, and hands-on learning
• Create frequent opportunities for meaningful conversations, problem-solving, and child-led exploration
• Guide children through peer conflicts using positive and developmentally appropriate strategies
• Complete classroom observations and developmental screenings, including ASQ and ASQ:SE-2
• Maintain accurate attendance, meal counts, incident documentation, lesson plans, and classroom records
• Assist children with toileting and personal-care needs when necessary
• Maintain required classroom cleaning and sanitation practices
• Follow all ADHS licensing, Quality First, CACFP, NAC, and center requirements
• Participate in Quality First coaching visits and demonstrate continued improvement
• Communicate important information about children to families and management
• Participate in staff meetings, training, coaching, and professional development

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED with documentation
• Previous experience working with preschool or Pre-K children
• Ability to meet Arizona childcare licensing and background-check requirements
• Current or obtainable Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Current or obtainable CPR and First Aid certification
• Ability to complete required childcare training
• Able to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds and remain active throughout the workday

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in an Arizona Quality First program
• Familiarity with CLASS observation expectations
• Experience implementing coaching recommendations
• Experience with ASQ and ASQ:SE-2 developmental screenings
• Knowledge of play-based and developmentally appropriate curriculum
• CDA, early childhood education credential, or college coursewor

Nice To Haves

Quality First Experience

CPR/First Aide

Fingerprint Clearance Card