Child Care Teacher

About the role

The Child Care Teacher will create a safe, engaging, and developmentally supportive environment for children ages six weeks to six years in Richmond, VA. This is a full-time direct‑hire position.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement creative, adaptive, and age-appropriate lesson plans for the assigned classroom.
• Create a safe, secure, engaging, and nurturing environment for children ages six weeks to six years.
• Support children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, gross motor, fine motor, and independence skills.
• Utilize Reggio-inspired concepts and approaches in both indoor and outdoor classroom environments.
• Document children's daily progress, activities, observations, and developmental milestones.
• Prepare, review, and maintain written reports and records for assigned children.
• Communicate children's needs, progress, and observations effectively with parents and families.
• Foster positive interactions that support children's self-esteem, confidence, autonomy, and development.
• Promote meaningful involvement of parents and families in children's learning and development.
• Supervise teacher aides and volunteers assigned to the classroom within the applicable scope of practice.
• Maintain collaborative working relationships with teachers, team leaders, supervisors, directors, and other staff members.
• Participate in staff meetings, special sessions, required continuing education, and mandatory training events.
• Review information and data provided for each child and support smooth transitions into and out of the classroom.
• Follow established policies, procedures, licensing requirements, accrediting standards, and regulatory guidelines.
• Maintain classroom cleanliness and ensure the environment is free from health hazards and infection-control risks.
• Routinely clean tables, chairs, cabinets, cubbies, cots, toys, bookshelves, and other classroom areas.
• Identify and remove broken toys and report unsafe surfaces or other environmental hazards.
• Maintain safe and appropriate supervision of children during indoor and outdoor activities.
• Ensure appropriate playground staffing and supervision to meet children's safety and coverage needs.
• Ensure bleach and cleaning solutions are prepared, labeled, stored, and secured according to applicable requirements.
• Assist with coordinating environmental needs to ensure classrooms are safe, clean, organized, and adequately stocked.
• Demonstrate awareness of infection control and environmental health and safety practices.
• Accept alternate assignments and participate in special projects as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the department and organizational mission.

Requirements

• Minimum two years of formal childcare experience.
• Previous experience working with children ages six weeks to six years.
• Two-year degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, Psychology, or a closely related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 40 hours of coursework in Early Childhood Education or a related field, such as Child Psychology or Children's Literature, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans.
• Strong understanding of child development and age-appropriate learning activities.

Qualifications

• Experience specifically working with children between six weeks and two years of age.
• Familiarity with the Reggio philosophical approach to early childhood education.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate.

Skills

• Strong communication, reasoning, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with children, families, and team members.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to frequent changes.
• Ability to work effectively in a noisy environment.
• Ability to manage frequent and intensive interactions with children, families, and staff.
• Ability to perform physical activities associated with childcare, including frequent bending and climbing steps, ladders, or similar structures.
• Ability to maintain a safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.

Pay

$18 – $22 per hour

Schedule

Monday – Friday; 7.5‑hour shift scheduled between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM