Preschool/Early Learning Teacher - Full-time

Full-time
ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children's Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that honors young children's immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children's well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. Medical, dental and vision insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• The Primary Caregiver provides a warm, nurturing, stimulating, safe and loving environment where each child can develop language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills appropriately.

Education and Development

• Plan and implement a culturally sensitive educational program that is developmentally appropriate for each child's age and language.
• Use Teaching Strategies Cloud to plan and create weekly digital lesson plans that promote the cognitive, language, literacy, social, emotional, and physical development of children.
• and which includes teacher-directed and child-directed activities, and inside and outside time.
• Provide a developmentally appropriate, stimulating learning environment, which includes adding new and interesting materials each week.
• Provide a warm, nurturing, loving and positive environment, using positive guidance techniques and upholding the ECS Discipline policy.
• Develop nurturing relationships with each child that encourages his or her social and emotional development.
• Maintain all federal, state, local and accreditation standards. (These may include those set forth by NAEYC, APPLE, ECS, DCF and Early Head Start.)
• Adjust the classroom routine, activities, and environment to meet the developmental levels of all children in the group including children with special needs, over the course of their enrollment at the center.
• Participate in research initiatives pertaining to early child hood education, development, and related topics.

Children's Health and Developmental Services

• Conduct daily health checks on each child.
• Follow policies and procedures regarding medical and dental emergencies, short term exclusion of children, and the administration, handling, and storing of medication.
• Ensure that safe practices are followed to prevent injuries to children or self.
• Maintain sanitation and hygiene procedures and participate in the maintenance of the center.
• Participate in case management meetings regarding children's health and development.

Family Partnerships

• Provide and encourage effective communication and relationships with families so that parents feel comfortable talking to staff about their children.
• Inform parents concerning their children's progress formally and informally, which may include parent notes, learning outcomes, parent conferences and home visits.
• Maintain transition procedures for children moving from classroom to classroom or program along with other appropriate staff.
• Eat with children, encouraging proper eating habits and conversation.
• Serve food in a way that encourages the development and socialization of the children.
• Assist in kitchen duties as assigned.
• Plan weekly nutrition activities for children and/or families.

Training and Communication
# Communicate regularly with other staff to better serve children and families, including attending staff meetings, trainings, and sharing information.

# EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

PCG I - High School Diploma or GED and an Infant Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential (FCCPC)
PCG II - An associate degree in child development or early childhood education with 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC.
PCG III - A baccalaureate degree in child development or early childhood education with 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC; or a baccalaureate degree in elementary education with 15 credit hours in early childhood education courses including 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC.
PCG IV - An advanced degree in child development or early childhood education with 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC; or an advanced degree in elementary education with 15 credit hours in early childhood education courses including 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC.
Demonstrate competency to provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment and promote children's progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate.
Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children
Ability to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children.
Ability to maintain confidential information
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
A willingness to learn and continue personal education
Complete TB screening & physical before having direct contact with children. Commence within ninety (90) days and complete within one (1) year of employment the DCF required 45 hr training.
Complete on-line Food Handlers Course Serving Safe Food in Childcare within 90 days of employment.
Must have current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
Complete a minimum of 25 hours of in-service training annually, July 1- June 30.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Work involves constant visual supervision of children and tolerance of loud noise
Environment includes indoor classroom and outdoor playground
Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

A Level II Background Screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees and any contracted employee position, intern position or volunteer position in which individuals have contact with children, have access to confidential information and / or are in a position of special trust. 18.44 - $23.31 per hour