Early Childhood Education Teacher

About the role

The Children's Learning Center is seeking a dedicated, collaborative, and experienced Early Childhood Education Teacher (Flex Lead) to join our team. This position supports classrooms across the center by providing high-quality care and education, coordinating daily staffing needs, mentoring student employees, and ensuring compliance with licensing and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Classroom Teaching & Child Development
  • Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate classroom experiences using an emergent curriculum approach.
  • Prepare and implement lesson plans supporting cognitive, social-emotional, language, and physical development.
  • Maintain a safe, healthy, and nurturing classroom environment.
  • Observe, document, and assess children's development to support individualized learning goals.
  • Collaborate with families and colleagues regarding children's progress and classroom activities.
  • Ensure compliance with Wisconsin Child Care Licensing regulations, Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, NAEYC accreditation standards, and center policies.
  • Utilize observation, documentation, and reflective practices to support children's learning and classroom planning.
  • Follow all center health and safety procedures.
• Staffing Coordination & Classroom Support
  • Coordinate daily staff absences beginning at approximately 6:45 a.m.
  • Monitor staffing levels to ensure required classroom ratios and compliance with licensing and accreditation requirements.
  • Provide classroom coverage for planned and unexpected staff absences.
  • Collaborate with Assistant Directors to coordinate time-off requests and staffing needs.
  • Support Lead Teachers by coordinating classroom coverage during planned absences.
  • Maintain absence tracking systems and communicate staffing updates to employees.
• Leadership & Supervision
  • Mentor new teachers, student employees, and practicum students.
  • Conduct orientation for new Flex staff.
  • Provide day-to-day coaching and on-the-job training for student caregivers.
  • Develop and maintain Flex staff schedules.
  • Approve student employee payroll and complete required performance evaluations.
  • Address performance concerns in partnership with supervisors.
  • Coordinate communications and meetings for Flex staff.
• Professional Responsibilities
  • Participate in weekly staff and professional meetings.
  • Attend center-sponsored training, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours of professional development annually.
  • Maintain current Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and other required certifications.
  • Participate in university events and committee work as opportunities arise.
• Center Leadership
  • Collaborate with colleagues to organize shared classroom materials and educational resources.
  • Assist in maintaining shared indoor and outdoor learning environments.
  • Serve on center committees and provide leadership for committee initiatives when appropriate.
  • Contribute to a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive center culture.
• Physical Requirements
  • Lift and carry children weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Sit on the floor for extended periods while interacting with children.
  • Frequently walk, bend, kneel, and climb stairs.
  • Actively participate in indoor and outdoor play and classroom activities.
  • Respond quickly to children's health, safety, and supervision needs.

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a Post-Offer Pre-Employment (POPE) physical screening involving squatting, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying to simulate job demands.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field that meets Wisconsin Child Care Licensing qualifications.
• Experience working in an early childhood education setting.
• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with children, families, students, and colleagues.
• Certification in hands-on Pediatric First Aid, AED, and CPR (required upon start date and must be maintained).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring or supervising staff or student employees.
• Experience with staffing coordination or scheduling.
• Knowledge of NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Experience implementing emergent curriculum and authentic assessment practices.

Pay

$38,506