Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Education

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Lil’ Sunshine Child Care, Inc. (LSCCC) is a nonprofit child care center located in downtown Randolph, Vermont. LSCCC’s mission is to provide child-centered, high-quality care to children, with preference given to families who live or work in the Vermont towns of Randolph, Braintree, or Brookfield. LSCCC is committed to creating and maintaining an evidence-based environment that promotes all aspects of early child development and emphasizes outdoor experiences and community engagement. The center currently has space for up to 8 infants and 10 toddlers.

The Lead Teacher position is a great opportunity for an early childhood educator who prefers managing a small classroom in a small center, where they can help provide quality care, with a focus on outdoor exploration. The ideal candidate is passionate about early child development, energetic, warm, who works and leads in a collaborative manner, serving as a resource for their teacher colleagues.

What You'll Do

Essential Job Duties 

• Lead the care and supervision of children in a safe setting, following health and safety guidelines outlined in the Vermont Child Care Regulations, in a nurturing and responsive environment
• In collaboration with the Program Director, design and implement age-appropriate curriculum and activities with an emphasis on outdoor learning and aligned with Vermont Early Learning Standards 
• Provide training and supervision, in collaboration with the Program Director, to assistant teachers, trainees, substitutes, and volunteers, around implementing the curriculum and care for the children in the classroom and the duties required to maintain a safe, respectful environment
• Ensure a safe and organized classroom environment that supports child-centered learning
• In collaboration with the Program Director, organize and conduct parent-teacher conferences, at least twice annually
• Observe and document children’s daily activities, development, milestones, and behavior in Brightwheel, providing additional documentation as needed
• Communicate in a positive, collaborative manner with colleagues and parents, utilizing the center’s approved communication methods and per approved policies, procedures, and processes (e.g., Brightwheel software, Sharepoint platform/email, and in person communications as needed)
• Stay informed on best practices and regulation changes
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service days, and other professional development opportunities
• Assist with daily, weekly, and as-assigned cleaning needs to meet Vermont Child Care Regulations and ensure respect of the 32 N Main Street property
• Other duties, as assigned by the Program Director

Requirements

Required Qualifications 

• Meets the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations (section 7.3.2.1) qualifications for a “Teacher Associate” OR meets the minimum requirements for the expedited variance OR is willing/able to complete the variance requirements within the first 30 days:
• Candidate must be at least 20 years old
• Is a high school graduate or has completed a GED
• Meets one (1) of the following qualifications:
• At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; or
• At least an associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, 
• or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least a Certificate of Completion from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or
• At least a Child Care Certificate from the Community College of Vermont and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of twenty-one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.
• Strong digital literacy, including use of computers, tablets, the internet, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Physical & Mental Requirements:

Ability to lift up to 30 pounds 

Ability to push or pull heavy objects using up to 10 pounds of force 

Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time 

Ability to use fine motor skills to operate office equipment and/or machinery 

Ability to receive and comprehend instructions verbally and/or in writing 

Ability to use logical reasoning for simple and complex problem solving 

Nice To Haves

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of experience in a previous teaching role for a childcare center, including experience developing curriculum, and ensuring compliance with Vermont Child Care Regulations.
• Meets Vermont Child Care Regulations qualifications as “teacher” defined in 7.3.2.1.
• Experience using child care center management software (Brightwheel) 

Benefits

• Benefits :

  We value our employees and offer a benefits package which may include vision and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid professional development, employee assistance program, a retirement plan with employer matching contribution, and a wellness benefit program. Specific details about our benefits program will be provided to candidates during the hiring process.

  Equal Opportunity Employment:

  LSCCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, and marital, veteran, or disability status. All employees are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect.