Looking to make an impact not only in the lives of young children, but in the careers of early childhood educators working with preschool age children?
Are you passionate about early childhood education? Do you feel strongly that the formative years are a critical time to stimulate curiosity, encourage independent thinking and nurture emotional intelligence? Are you always looking for innovative ways to implement the curriculum in your classroom? Then a career at Discovery Days may be for you! We welcome applications from credentialed, experienced, caring and passionate individuals who wish to join our growing team.
Not Just a Job-We are a community of educators
Discovery Days is a Reggio-inspired early childhood program, where our teachers are researchers, observing, planning, reflecting on curriculum and best practices for early childhood education. We are a growing program and our staff is a vital part in building our program and bringing Reggio to life inside and outside of the classroom.
Work among a team of innovative educators who share the same passion for early-childhood education as you!
A job at Discovery Days offers:
- Work alongside a team that focuses on the 'why' and not the 'what'.
- Long term career opportunities with excellent growth potential.
- Warm community of educators.
- Monthly staff development and training.
- Work alongside a talented and creative team of educators.
- The opportunity to work with a highly educated and successful parent body that is engaged in their children's educational journey.
- Beautiful working environment in our state-of-the-art facilities.
- Regular staff appreciation and social events (just for fun!)
Then Discovery Days may be the place for you! We are looking for a Preschool Lead Teacher to facilitate the day-to-day operations of a Mixed-Age Preschool classroom of 16-20 students. The ideal candidate is someone who is:
- Attentive to details
- Service oriented
- Good at planning and organizing
- Empathetic and sociable
- Highly diplomatic
- Skilled in identifying problems and brainstorming potential solutions
- Excellent at written and oral communication, and presentation
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively
- Passionate about connecting with teachers and students
- Qualified with a degree in early childhood education, child development or educational leadership
Below is the full job description for the position. If you are interested, please contact us directly with your resume and cover letter.
Preschool Lead Teacher:
JOB PURPOSE:
Under general supervision of the Director, delivers high quality Early Childhood Development services to children enrolled in site programs, including educational, social, physical, nutritional and psychological development of children under their care. Communicates with staff and parents on their child’s individual progress and maintains records of attendance and educational achievement. Coordinates with Lead Teachers on curriculum, behavior concerns, parent concerns and facilitates meetings as necessary and the involvement of additional administration. Works alongside DDP staff to plan lessons, serve meals and ensure a healthy and safe learning environment for children. Promotes an atmosphere that cultivates leadership, communication and quality customer service. Serve as a leader and role model that supports the policies, mission and core values of Discovery Days.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for the care and supervision of all enrolled DDP center-based children, planning and implementing classroom lessons, conducting meetings and conferences with parents, coordinating activities and events for children and parents, interacting with the public and providing customer service by phone, email and in person, and preparing correspondence, reports, records and other paperwork required by the early childhood education program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION INCLUDE:
- General Teacher Responsibilities
- Refer to specific job description for a more comprehensive list of responsibilities specific to the program option assigned:.
- Ensure the proper care, safety and supervision of children at all times while at the site.
- Conducts safety checks and ensures a safe learning environment.
- Cleans and sanitizes all areas of the classroom, including food preparation and eating areas.
- Helps children practice good hygiene, including personal cleanliness and diapering, as needed.
- Ensures appropriate meal service for children.
- Actively attends and participates in in-service training provided by Discovery Days and other agencies.
- Ability to attend assignments outside school hours, graduation, Open Houses, etc
- Ensures implementation of daily classroom lesson plans in accordance with curriculum plan.
- Maintains an organized and developmentally appropriate classroom.
- Sets up the classroom environment according to ECERS and Creative Curriculum.
- Accurately completes all assigned paperwork and documentation, on a timely basis, according to school policies and procedures.
- Implements school policies and procedures
- Provides appropriate customer service to parents, children, community representatives/members, and all Discovery Days staff on a daily basis.
- Must have exceptional organizational and time management skills.
- Other duties as assigned within the scope of the position to maintain a quality preschool program.
- Competent in utilizing computer software for data entry and reporting, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
- Communicate with the main office, Executive Director, Assistant Director and other Discovery Days program staff in regards to situations that may arise at the site when the Director is absent.
- Conducts and monitors safety checks to ensure a safe, clean and sanitary learning environment.
- Ensures implementation of daily classroom lesson plans in accordance with curriculum plan.
- Aware of and trained in center operations, including total enrollment
- Oversees all activities and meetings at the designated center with staff, children, parents, and community members.
- Identification and order of center supplies and equipment.
- Core Competencies:
- Provide a climate that supports and builds teamwork.
- Ability to work constructively through practical problems and site conflicts.
- Promote an atmosphere that actively embraces diversity.
- Make sound judgments, and transfer learning from one situation to another. Establish goals, clarify tasks, plan work, and actively participate in meetings.
- Have the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; use best practices and demonstrate up-to-date knowledge and skills; pursue professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must have good organizational, written/oral communication and observation skills
- Basic computer skills required.
- Bilingual (Spanish) a plus
EXPERIENCE:
- At least two (2) years of experience in a classroom setting or combination of two (2) years in both classroom and group settings with young children.
- Must demonstrate competencies in planning and implementing learning experiences that:
- Advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, understanding and use of language and increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, appreciation of books, understanding of early math and science, problem-solving skills, and approaches to learning;
- Establish and maintain a healthy learning environment;
- Support the social and emotional development of children; and
- Encourage family involvement of the children and support the development of relations between children and their families.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Live scan must be associated with California Community Care Licensing.
EDUCATION:
- Must have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or related field
- All child development and education staff must complete annually at least 18 hours of professional development and have a yearly individual professional development plan. College credit courses taken to meet degree requirements can be counted towards the 18 hours of professional development (courses must be from an accredited college or university).
- In addition, teachers must obtain 21 hours/year of professional development (105 hours every five years) to maintain their teaching certification.
LICENSE/CREDENTIAL/PERMIT:
- California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, Child Development Program Director Permit, or higher
- Adult & Pediatric CPR/1St Aid Certificate
- Valid California Driver’s License and proof of auto insurance (if applicable)
- Proof of Department of Justice clearance to work with children prior to the start of employment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The working conditions and physical demands of this position will be those that must be met to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. The physical environment the incumbent will work in is typically a pre-school environment with moderate noise levels that would be expected in that type of work environment. Outdoor and indoor supervision of playgrounds / workplace for on-going periods occurs regularly. Lift and carry at least 45 lbs or more. The individual must be able to work with children at their eye level and always maintain visual supervision of children, as well as hear, communicate, and comprehend effectively with children, staff, and parents. The individual also must be able to walk, sit, kneel, crawl, carry, push, pull and participate in activities indoors and outdoors as needed in an environment with children and adults
Special Requirement:
- T.B. Test within the past six months prior to employment, and every four (4) years thereafter
- Must pass a physical examination at the time of hire
- Provide proof of the following immunizations as required: Measles, Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Influenza.
- Representative physical demands of the job include:normal vision and hearing, standing for extended periods, sitting for extended periods, kneeling and stooping, manipulating objects with hands, reaching overhead, and occasionally lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 45 pounds.
- Must provide proof of COVID vaccine
Benefits:
Pay: Hourly $23.00 - $25.00
Paid Time Off: Yearly 10 days of PTO
Eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
401(k) matching program
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Work Location: In person