Assistant Teacher

About This Role

As a vital member of our educational team, the Assistant Teacher plays a key role in creating a nurturing environment for our young learners and supporting the Teachers in their mission to deliver high-quality care and education. With a focus on fostering strong relationships with children, parents, and colleagues, this dynamic individual will help develop and implement engaging activities that meet the unique needs and interests of our students. Under the guidance of the Teacher and Director, the Assistant Teacher will be responsible for designing and executing developmentally appropriate activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional growth in our children.

What You'll Do

• Develop and lead engaging activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional growth in children.
• Ensure a safe, organized, and inviting classroom environment by managing materials and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and order.
• Model self-help and good hygiene behaviors to encourage healthy habits in our students.
• Streamline daily transitions between home and childcare center to ensure a seamless experience for our families.
• Adhere to all center policies and state regulations to maintain the highest standards of care and education.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in early childhood education through ongoing professional development and training.

Requirements

• Encourage self-help and good hygiene through behavior modeling.
• Actively engage in activities; manage cleanliness, order, and availability of classroom materials.
• Help ensure smooth, daily transition from home to child care center.
• Follow all center policies and state regulations.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Assist in the implementation of curricula activities and encourage participation by children.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a professional childcare setting.
• High energy levels and a contagious enthusiasm for working with young children.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, children, and parents.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as basic computer skills to support administrative tasks.
• A deep understanding of child development theory and practice.
• Proven leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with a track record of success in motivating and guiding teams.
• Current certification in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid (training provided for those without certification).

Benefits

• Medical and Dental
• Pension plan (paid by staff)
• Paid sick time
• Paid vacation time
• 10 paid holidays
• Paid week off in between Christmas and New Years
• Paid professional development time/on site
• Free childcare for staff children age 3-5

About Us

First Church Early Learning Center was established in 1956 and is NAEYC accredited. FCELC is comprised of 2 full day classrooms and a half day classroom, full day classrooms run 12 months a year and part day run during the school year only. FCELC is looking for a positive, responsible, and adaptable individual to join our family. As a Lead Teacher at First Church Early Learning Center, this person would be expected to have effective classroom management, plan and implement an emergent curriculum, maintain Office of Early Childhood and NAEYC standards and communicate daily, as well as conferences 3 times per year and as needed, with parents. Hours for this position may vary between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. The necessary hours for this position would be based on the enrollment in the classroom(s) as well as the needs of the school. The ideal candidate would have 3-5 years previous experience as a Lead Teacher working with children aged 3-5 years of age in an NAEYC accredited/OEC licensed program. This person would be knowledgeable in using The Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) and would be required to use them as an assessment/observation tool (3x per year) for the children at First Church. This candidate would also be responsible for creating and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans that focus on the individual developmental needs of the children we serve. Thie ideal candidate would also have experience managing classroom staff (teacher/assistant teacher)

Preference

• A bachelor's degree in early childhood or a related field or Associate degree in Early Childhood education
• Fingerprinting and Background check required
• CPR/First Aid/Medication Administration certificated preferred (training can be provided)

Contact Information

Please respond with your cover letter and resume. Serious applicants only please. For further information, please contact Kate Bodmer at First Church Early Learning Center: 860-688-4597 Thank you