Early Childhood Teacher

Early Childhood Teacher

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is seeking an enthusiastic, reflective, and collaborative Early Childhood Teacher to support the development and implementation of Little Lions Preschool, a nature- and inquiry-based early childhood program inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. The Early Childhood Teacher will help create an inclusive, nurturing, safe, and engaging learning community for children and families while advancing the mission, vision, and educational goals of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Wildlife Safari Park. The Early Childhood Teacher implements meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that encourage young children to explore, investigate, question, collaborate, communicate, create, and develop a sense of wonder about the natural world. This role reports to the Manager – Schools.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Plan, implement, facilitate, document, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for preschool-aged children in accordance with Nebraska DHHS licensing requirements and current early childhood best practices.
• Implement Little Lions Preschool's Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy, including an image of the child as capable, competent, curious, and an active participant in learning.
• Integrate the Zoo, nature, animals, conservation, ecology, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literacy, the arts, movement, and social-emotional learning into meaningful preschool experiences.
• Design learning experiences that are responsive to children's developmental levels, strengths, interests, abilities, cultures, languages, and family backgrounds.
• Support children's development across physical, cognitive, language and communication, social-emotional, and creative domains.
• Prepare and maintain daily routines, lesson plans, classroom materials, learning environments, attendance records, and food-program documentation.
• Use positive, responsive guidance and relationship-based practices to support children's self-regulation, independence, problem solving, and social competence.
• Maintain a learning environment that reflects children's work, thinking, questions, theories, and investigations.
• Provides instructional support in Formal Education programming as needed to ensure program continuity.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records in accordance with program policies and applicable regulations.
• Use observations to understand individual development, interests, strengths, relationships, and learning.
• Use observation and assessment information to inform curriculum planning, classroom environment, and teaching strategies.
• Lead parent-teacher conferences and communicate appropriately regarding children's development and learning.
• Follow program procedures for developmental screening, referrals, and communication with families and support teams when concerns arise.

• Provide active supervision of children at all times and maintain a safe, clean, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
• Follow all applicable Nebraska DHHS Child Care Licensing requirements, Zoo policies, health and safety procedures, emergency procedures, and program policies.
• Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification as required by the program and applicable licensing standards.
• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and follow procedures for transitions, field trips, outdoor learning, animal encounters, and other program activities.
• Follow required procedures for child arrival and departure, attendance, authorized pick-up, health and safety documentation, and emergency preparedness.
• Follow all policies related to child protection, mandated reporting, confidentiality, medication, illness exclusion, sanitation, food safety, and emergency response.
• Complete all required background, registry, health, and other employment checks before assuming duties as required by applicable law and Zoo policy.
• Maintain confidentiality concerning children, families, employees, and organizational information.

• Participate in required Nebraska DHHS professional development training and all Zoo-required training.
• Participate in staff meetings, planning meetings, reflective practice, and program evaluation.
• Meet regularly as an Early Childhood Teaching Team and with the Education Program Manager-Schools.
• Collaborate with Zoo departments as appropriate to create meaningful interdisciplinary learning experiences.
• Participate in professional learning related to early childhood development, nature-based learning, the Reggio Emilia Approach, and health and safety.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the Education Department.

• Ability to meet all applicable Nebraska DHHS staff qualifications, training, registry checks, background checks, and health requirements.
• Minimum of an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Education, or closely related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with preschool-aged children preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement engaging, place-based, play-based, and child-centered learning experiences.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Enjoys working with children and learners of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
• A genuine respect for young children as capable, competent, curious learners.
• Enthusiastic about wildlife, ecology, conservation, and environmental education.
• Strong classroom management and student engagement skills.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and creating a sense of belonging for every child and family.
• Ability to communicate professionally with families from a variety of backgrounds.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other commonly used digital tools.

Candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug screen, DHHS registry check, DHHS criminal fingerprint check, and possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record.

Work Environment and Physical Effort:

• Must be able to travel long distances across the Zoo.
• Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some night programs.
• Physical effort may be required.
• Work is performed indoors and outdoors, under all weather conditions.
• This position requires 40 hours of availability weekly.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.