Key Peninsula Preschool is a staple in our small community for early childhood education and childcare.  We currently offer an Outdoor Nature Based childcare program and a cooperative preschool.  In the spring we are opening an Infant/Toddler Program that also puts a strong emphasis on learning about our environment and the natural world and to prepare students to move into our completely outdoor childcare at the age of 2.5.  You can check out our school at:

https://www.keypeninsulapreschool.org/

Job Summary

The infant and toddler room lead teacher will serve as a leader in our organization to help bring the first ever licensed childcare for children ages 3 months - 2.5 years to the Key Peninsula.  We are looking for a candidate that is a nature lover and loves working with infants and toddlers.  We sponsor a program that encourages significant time spent outdoors on our beautiful woodland campus.  We are seeking a candidate that is willing to help us start our infant/toddler program and build it from the ground up.

Duties

• Plans and implements the daily curriculum for children in the classroom, with a focus community, resilience , and nature based learning. 
• Oversees and coordinates the children’s personal care, hygiene, learning activities, specialized programs and positive guidance. 
• Maintains classroom records and developmental checklist. 
• Ensures that the classroom and other play areas are consistently clean and safe.
• Utilizes Brightwheel to inform parents daily of their children’s progress, log activities and track attendance. 
• Supervises and directs activities of the assistant teacher assigned to the classroom.
• Communicates with the Center Director in a timely manner about pertinent issues regarding staff, children, families, and the program. 
• Is eager to spend time outdoors with the children and help curate sense of wonder and love of the natural world in our young students.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities Education and Curriculum 

• Plans and implements curriculum activities and lesson plans that promote children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Implements a program schedule for the classroom, outdoor time, meals, snacks, and special activities. 
• Uses positive guidance techniques consistent with Conscious Discipline, state regulations, counsels children when social, academic or adjustment problems arise. 
• Keeps accurate and current records of each child’s developmental milestones, student accidents, anecdotal records, and attendance through Brightwheel, our center’s software
• Establishes developmentally appropriate room arrangement, décor, and learning environment in the classroom. 
• Meets with prospective families and communicates appropriately with potential new families. 
• Supervises specific classroom’s assistant teacher(s) in all aspects of their position; mentors assistant teachers to develop the required skills and expertise needed to ensure classroom curriculum is implemented and an appropriate classroom environment is maintained. 
• Assists in training new staff and familiarizing them with school practices, forms, and schedules. • Observes, records, and reports to Key Peninsula Preschool Director of any significant behavior of children or staff that could adversely affect the quality of care provided. 
• Actively participates in school events, staff training sessions, meetings, and programs. 
• Immediately notifies the Center director of needed repairs to the building, play area, equipment or toys throughout the facility. Ensures that children are not exposed to equipment or situations that could affect their health or safety. 
• Accepts temporary work assignments in the event regularly scheduled staff is not available, such as answering the phones, helping in another class, and/or assisting in management of school. 

Health and Safety 

• Implements appropriate emergency procedures in the event of fire, earthquake, chemical leak, or other emergency situations. 
• Administers CPR/First Aid or other appropriate emergency procedures in the event of serious student accidents or emergencies 
• Properly maintains educational materials and equipment; ensures that children are using equipment in an appropriate manner. 
• Keeps the classroom and other play areas safe, neat, and clean. 

Relationships 

• Reports directly to the Key Peninsula Preschool Director.
• Also takes direction from other school management personnel. 
• Supervises the day-to-day work assignments of the assistant teacher in their classroom.
• Must have a positive outlook on life and desire healthy interpersonal relationships with staff and parents 

Qualifications 

• Must meet or exceed state licensing requirements for age, education, and experience. 
• Must have at least 2 years experience working in early education. 
• Must have a love of the natural world and an affinity for the outdoors.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, or a CDA is required. 
• Must have a positive mindset and a strong desire to nurture positive relationships with all staff members.
• Must be able to repeatedly bend, stoop and run; must repeatedly lift and carry children. 
• Must be able to effectively interact and communicate with children and parents. 
• Must maintain at least 24 hours of training each year.