Lead Preschool Teacher - Basin City

Inspire Development Centers•Basin City, WA

4d•$45,594 - $60,798

About The Position

The Lead Preschool Teacher plans and delivers developmentally appropriate curriculum and classroom activities, evaluates and documents children’s progress, and monitors school readiness goals. The position provides instructional guidance to the Assistant Preschool Teacher and models appropriate practices for assistant teachers, substitutes, floaters, and volunteers. It works closely with the Center Manager and other early childhood education staff, parents, and children. The teacher is responsible for maintaining a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment; completing classroom, meal, health, and family-engagement documentation; and following program procedures and applicable state and federal requirements. The role promotes children’s physical, cognitive, language, and creative development, including support for children requiring special services, and actively engages parents through home visits, conferences, and center activities. Additional duties include educational screening and referrals, technical assistance to teaching staff, administrative assignments, confidentiality, and activities that support in-kind contributions. The position requires an associate degree in early childhood education or an associate degree with 30 ECE-related college credits, plus teaching experience with infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children. Candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement must hold a current Preschool CDA or equivalent certificate, be enrolled in higher education toward an ECE associate degree, and have an approved waiver. At least six months of experience in a child care setting is required. The role also has ongoing credential, training, screening, and professional development requirements.

Requirements

Associate degree in ECE, or an associate degree with 30 ECE-related college credits, with experience teaching infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children.
At least six months of experience in a child care setting.
Extensive knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices.
Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment.
Experience with policy and procedure processes and planning and facilitating groups.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Experience in classroom risk management.
Understanding of interrelationships between services and systems.
Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
Ability to gather and analyze data for reports.
Strong customer service focus and ability to work with culturally diverse populations.
Knowledge of personal computers, including Microsoft Office.
Accurate data, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
At least 18 years of age.
Valid Washington State driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and ability to travel for job duties.
Pass initial and periodic criminal and background checks, Department of Early Learning background checks, employee health clearance, and TB screening; subject to random drug screening.
Current Food Handler card, First Aid and CPR cards, HIV/AIDS training, and Blood Borne Pathogen training; training must be obtained within 30 days of employment where applicable.
Complete required initial STARS/MERIT training within six months of employment and obtain 15 hours of continuing in-service training and 10 hours of continuing STARS/MERIT training annually.
Sign an educational Professional Development Plan to obtain a BA degree in ECE.
Sign a confidentiality agreement and complete and sign an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement.
Candidates not meeting the minimum education requirement must hold a current Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent Preschool certificate, enroll in a higher education institution toward an AA in ECE, and be on an approved waiver.

Nice To Haves

Previous Head Start experience.
English/Spanish bilingual fluency.
BA degree in Early Childhood Education, or a BA degree in a related field with at least 30 ECE college credits.
Sign a Professional Development Plan to learn to read, write, and speak English (recommended).

Responsibilities

Plan developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum, classroom activities, and home learning tasks.
Evaluate and document children’s progress; analyze classroom and child outcome reports and implement and monitor classroom school readiness goals.
Model appropriate instructional techniques for assistant teachers, substitutes, floaters, and volunteers, and ensure classroom ratios are maintained.
Provide input on performance evaluations of the Assistant Preschool Teacher and floaters.
Complete required documentation and records within set timelines, including daily assessments, meal guides, health checks, home visits, and parent-teacher conferences.
Complete daily USDA meal counts and ensure children are safely released.
Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment and follow applicable state and federal instruction, fire, health, and safety requirements, including handwashing, laundry, and housekeeping practices.
Promote children’s physical, cognitive, language, and creative development, including for children who require special services; attend scheduled teacher meetings and support classroom staff mentoring in ECE.
Promote positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults.
Communicate with and actively involve parents through home visits, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, Make-n-Take events, and brainstorming sessions.
Follow established program curricula, procedures, documentation requirements, and service plans.
Coordinate with the School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, and ECE specialists to monitor and provide technical assistance to teaching staff; perform assigned administrative duties.
Participate actively in age-appropriate interactions and classroom activities, including free play, mealtime, floor time, and classroom activities; bathing or diaper changing may be required for children with special needs.
Follow center procedures for receiving and discharging children.
Administer educational screenings and identify and refer children with potential health, disability, or behavioral concerns.
Maintain confidentiality of program and client-related information.
Contribute to in-kind fundraising activities by requesting goods, services, or cash donations and encouraging professionals, community members, and parents to volunteer.