Infant Toddler Teacher /Apprentice New Buffalo

About Us

Flowers Early Learning is a high-quality preschool located in New Buffalo, Michigan, formally known as Tri-County Head Start. The organization was selected as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation in 2024, and one of the Moody Market Best Places to Work in Southwest Michigan in 2021, for their commitment to employee engagement, feedback, and wellness.

Our Mission: To build a future where children, families and communities thrive.

Our impact lasts a lifetime. Flowers Early Learning employees promote social, emotional and physical health in our community by providing high-quality education, health services and more for the families who need us most in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.

Position Summary

Infant-toddler Teachers provide nurturing care, supervision, support and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children ages 0-3, implements High Scope curriculum, conducts on-going assessments, works with a team of coworkers and volunteers, builds child-focused partnerships with families and support staff and ensures compliance with state and federal licensing and grant requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide nurturing care, supervision, and support for children ages 0-3
• Deliver developmentally appropriate learning experiences
• Implement High Scope curriculum
• Conduct ongoing assessments
• Work collaboratively with a team of coworkers and volunteers
• Build child-focused partnerships with families and support staff
• Ensure compliance with state and federal licensing and grant requirements

Qualifications

Education Requirement: Minimum – Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) infant/toddler. Preferred – Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, with at least 18 credits in Early Childhood Education. Candidates without an associate's degree must complete the Child Development Apprenticeship upon hire and obtain a minimum of eighteen credit hours of early childhood education courses, within four years of continuous employment.

Other Selection Criteria

• Possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Complete a physical examination
• Comprehensive fingerprinted criminal background check
• Pre-employment drug screen including a negative result for Amphetamines, Cannabinoids (including Marijuana/THC), Cocaine, Opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP). Marijuana is not legal at the federal level and is prohibited in the workplace or in one's system, even if legally prescribed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Assistance in furthering your education
• Paid time off
• Earned sick time
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays and breaks
• Paid weather days
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness committee dedicated to providing resources that enhance your life outside of work

Pay

• HS Diploma/GED: $15.61/hr
• Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA): $17.12/hr
• AA: $18.40/hr
• Bachelors or Higher: $20.94/hr

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p, 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary due to daily schedule. Full-Time, Year Round (12 months per year). Apprenticeship position is Hourly, Non-Exempt until CDA status is achieved. Teacher position is Salaried, Exempt.

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