Child Care Teacher

Child Care Teacher / Early Childhood Teacher

Job Title: Child Care Teacher
Number of Positions: 3
Location: Richmond, VA 23298
Job Type: Direct Hire
Duration: 3 Months
Schedule: Monday-Friday
Shift: 7.5-hour shift scheduled between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM
Required Experience: Minimum 2 years of formal childcare experience

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Child Care Teacher / Early Childhood Teacher to provide a safe, nurturing, educational, and engaging environment for children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age .

The Child Care Teacher will work as part of a collaborative teaching team to plan and implement age-appropriate lesson plans and activities that support children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, fine motor, gross motor, and developmental skills .

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of childcare experience , preferably with experience working with infants, toddlers, preschool children, or young children. Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia/Reggio-inspired educational approach is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement age-appropriate lesson plans and classroom activities.
• Create a safe, secure, welcoming, and engaging learning environment for children.
• Provide care and supervision for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years .
• Support children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, fine motor, gross motor, and physical development.
• Use positive interactions to promote children's self-esteem, independence, confidence, and overall development.
• Develop activities that encourage creativity, exploration, problem-solving, communication, and learning.
• Plan activities that promote gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language development, social skills, and independence.
• Document children's daily activities, developmental progress, observations, and milestones.
• Prepare, review, and maintain accurate child records, reports, and classroom documentation.
• Communicate effectively with parents and families regarding children's activities, development, needs, and progress.
• Review information and data regarding each child to support smooth transitions into and out of the classroom.
• Maintain a clean, organized, well-stocked, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
• Follow all applicable childcare licensing, accreditation, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Follow established policies, procedures, and best practices for childcare and early childhood education.
• Maintain appropriate classroom supervision and ensure children are monitored at all times.
• Supervise and provide guidance to teacher aides, assistants, volunteers, and other classroom support staff as applicable.
• Participate in staff meetings, training programs, continuing education, and required professional development activities.
• Maintain collaborative working relationships with teachers, team leaders, supervisors, directors, and other staff members.
• Demonstrate understanding of Reggio-inspired concepts in both indoor and outdoor learning environments.
• Support an educational philosophy that encourages children's autonomy, creativity, exploration, family involvement, and respect for individual abilities.
• Maintain appropriate infection control and environmental health and safety practices.
• Routinely clean and sanitize classroom furniture, tables, chairs, cabinets, cubbies, cots, toys, bookshelves, and other frequently used surfaces.
• Identify and remove broken toys, unsafe materials, or other potential classroom hazards.
• Keep floors and activity areas free from food, water, paper, and other materials that may create safety risks.
• Ensure playground areas are appropriately supervised and that required staff coverage is maintained.
• Follow proper procedures for the preparation, labeling, storage, and handling of cleaning and disinfecting solutions.
• Assist with maintaining a safe, clean, organized, and child-friendly environment.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of formal childcare experience.
• Experience working with children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age .
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 40 hours of coursework in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a related field, such as:
  • Child Development
  • Child Psychology
  • Psychology
  • Children's Literature
  • Early Childhood Education
• OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work Monday through Friday on a 7.5-hour shift scheduled between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
• Strong communication, observation, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a teaching team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and sometimes noisy childcare environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in:
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Child Development
  • Child Psychology
  • Psychology
  • Elementary Education
  • A related field
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.
• Experience working specifically with infants and toddlers ages 6 weeks to 2 years .
• Experience in a preschool, daycare, child development center, early learning center, nursery, or childcare facility .
• Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia approach, Reggio-inspired education, or play-based learning .
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate .

Skills and Abilities

• Early childhood education and child development knowledge.
• Classroom management and childcare skills.
• Lesson planning and activity development.
• Child observation and developmental documentation.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Parent and family communication.
• Team collaboration.
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to adapt to changing classroom needs.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interact professionally and positively with children, parents, families, and staff.
• Ability to hear effectively and communicate clearly.
• Reading and comprehension skills.
• Logical reasoning and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work in a noisy childcare environment.
• Ability to frequently bend, climb stairs or ladders, and perform other physical activities associated with childcare and classroom supervision.

Physical and Work Environment

This position requires frequent interaction with young children and may involve:

• Frequent bending, reaching, standing, walking, and movement throughout the classroom.
• Climbing stairs, steps, or ladders when necessary.
• Working in a fast-paced and occasionally noisy environment.
• Maintaining active supervision of children indoors and outdoors.
• Responding quickly to children's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
• Frequent interaction with parents, families, coworkers, and children.