Preschool Teacher

The Essex Preschool seeks a lead preschool teacher. The ideal candidate has patience, creativity, and energy with preschool and toddler aged children and knowledge of child development.

Job Description:

The Lead Preschool Teacher / Assistant Director is responsible for independently carrying the day-to-day leadership of the preschool program, including curriculum planning, classroom management, and coordination with the Director to support the overall mission and growth of the school. This role requires consistency, initiative, reliability, and the ability to carry through on director’s expectations for curriculum, supervision of students, programming, and school operations.

Core Responsibilities

1. Preschool Classroom Leadership

• Plan, prepare, and implement a developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum approved and supported by the Director
• Daily reset of classroom environment, including materials preparation for coming lessons, decluttering to ensure regulation of staff and students, returning materials to their rightful space, creating new organizational structures that serve the classroom environment for all
• Ensure curriculum planning aligns with the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) across all domains, including:
• Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Cognitive Development
• Language and Literacy
• Mathematics
• Creative Arts
• Science and Social Studies
• Provide intentional opportunities for literacy and numeracy development as well as the arts, science exploration, and social studies learning
• Lead daily classroom activities with confidence, organization, and engagement
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation
• Ensure the safety, supervision, and well-being of all children at all times
• Children must never be left unattended, including during lunch, transitions, bathroom routines, or outdoor play
• Provide especially careful supervision during lunch and snack times
• Physically lead and participate in age-appropriate gross and fine motor activities
• Maintain a healthy, clean, and organized classroom environment
• Model desired behavior by sitting with students and participating in activity when guest teachers are conducting a lesson, I. E. Music, library, summer guest lecturers.
• Align student management and parent engagement behaviors with mission and core values of the school and best practices in the field. Engage age appropriate social and emotional methods and strategies; be forward facing and supportive of parent input and concerns; seek director support as needed.

1. Classroom & Facility Responsibilities

• Daily setup and breakdown of classroom, kitchen, and playground spaces
• Cleaning and organizing tables, chairs, toys, materials, and supplies used in the daily classroom routine
• Support seasonal classroom transitions and school reset days
• Maintain shared spaces in accordance with school expectations and licensing standards

1. Assistant Director / Leadership Responsibilities

• Carry responsibility for the preschool program independently on a daily basis
• Engage in curriculum planning, weekly rhythm development, and classroom structure
• Take initiative in identifying needs, planning ahead, and problem-solving
• Demonstrate ownership over preschool curriculum, materials, and daily flow
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully with families regarding classroom matters
• Maintain positive community relations with staff, families, building owners, and community members
• Work collaboratively with the Director and consultants when needed
• Creating one craft activity for Aftercare each day

1. Professional Expectations

• Consistent attendance and reliability are essential
• Ability to arrive emotionally and physically prepared to lead the classroom each day
• Responsiveness to feedback and consistent follow-through on agreed-upon responsibilities
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and judgment at all times

1. Professional Dress Code

• Staff are expected to dress in a manner appropriate for a childcare setting
• Clothing should allow for easy movement, full coverage, and the ability to sit on the floor, play on playground, engage in light maintenance and actively engage with children
• Attire should reflect a professional, modest, and conservative appearance appropriate for families and a school environment
• Footwear must be safe and suitable for working with young children

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Prior experience with children
• Prior experience with preschool aged children and/or toddlers and infants
• First Aid, CPR, Medicine administration and EpiPen trained or willingness to be trained
• Must clear a full background check and must pass health screening.

Physical Requirements

• Requirements include the ability to take frequent walks, use hands and fingers, handle objects, tools or controls, talk to and hear voices at many levels. May also be required to kneel, bend, squat or crawl.
• A specific vision ability will be required including the ability to see up close and up to a certain distance, to see colors, have peripheral vision and depth perception.

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  Be part of a mission driven preschool

  Work in the beautiful Village of Essex

  Opportunity for discounted childcare and preschool education for your child.

  This is a year round position with three distinct vacations per year when school is closed: Two Weeks in Dec/Jan; One Week in April; Two Weeks end of August. This is unpaid time off for the first year. Each successive year employed, teacher earns one paid week of vacation.

  Earn 5 PTO Days after 6 months of successful employment; 10 PTO Days after 18 months of employment.