Preschool Educator

Summary

The Early Learning Center is in search of a Preschool Educator to join our community and be part of a welcoming, relationship-centered early childhood program serving infants, toddlers, and preschool children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. We implement the Power-to-Profession model to determine pay rates and support our staff in their professional development in line with that framework. An excellent position for those furthering their education pursuing college level courses, certificates or a Master's Degree. We're centrally located to all Chittenden county campuses and set on St. Michael's College north campus.

The position includes a $1,500 sign-on bonus ($500 at 1 month/3 months/6 months). We offer vision, dental, and competitive paid time off, child care discounts, and a one-time stipend of $1,500 to educators who carry or receive an active teaching license with an early childhood endorsement.

Position Highlights:

• Support the development of a community that nurtures staff, families, and children. 
• Plan and deliver a developmentally appropriate curriculum and facilitate the implementation of positive learning experiences.
• Join a group of caring, creative educators who believe in the power of children’s learning.

Duties

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:   

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Vermont Licensing Regulations. Make required reports to the State of Vermont including but not limited to suspected abuse, and injury requiring medical attention.
• Implement appropriate requirements of the Vermont Licensing regulations.
• Keep parents and families informed about the center through newsletters, e-mail, and other written and oral communication.
• Help develop and sustain safe, high-quality development and learning environments for children.
• Keep informed of current issues in the field of Early Childhood Education and maintain own professional development, including a minimum of 15 hours of training per year (as defined by the Vermont Early Childhood Program Licensing Regulations) and keep current pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR certification.
• Licensed Educators must follow AOE regulations regarding maintaining professional development and standards to keep an active license.
• Maintain a safe, secure environment for children, staff, and visitors, including knowledge of emergency procedures.
• Accept children unconditionally, their personalities, needs, and ways in which they communicate, and help them develop without judgment. 
• Maintain play resources and other materials with the assistance of the staff team.
• Set and maintain established expectations for children.
• Promote an environment that values diversity and celebrates cultural, linguistic, gender, and other individual differences in people.
• Participate in staff meetings, extracurricular activities, and in-service training.
• Serve as a resource for families.
• Hold individual parent conferences at least twice a year.
• Preschool educators keep up with and maintain portfolios for children using Teaching Strategies Gold and meet deadlines provided by AOE and area school districts.
• Keep discussions of children, families, and other staff confidential and on a professional level at all times.

 

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list. The scope of the job may change from time to time as necessitated by business demands.

 

The Early Learning Center (ELC) maintains a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization. The ELC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, place of birth, veteran status, age, or national origin.

Requirements

A Preschool Educator must meet the minimum qualifications and training for an Associate Teacher, as described in the Vermont State Early Childhood Program Licensing Regulations. In addition, the Preschool Educator should have:

• An Associates degree in early childhood education or a related field of study, with additional credits in ECE and a Certificate/Credential/Endorsement in early childhood education.
• Infant/child CPR/AED and First Aid certification or willingness to complete upon hiring.
• A satisfactory fingerprinted background check. 

 

Additional Skills

• Knowledge of the social-emotional needs of young children.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including technology skills.
• Ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• A strong understanding of child development and early childhood education.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

This is a full-time, year-round position with dental, vision, and paid leave benefits including carry-over time off, and childcare discounts for enrolled dependents. We provide you with an annual membership to NAEYC and we attend a day of the VtAEYC annual conference as a team. We are a SEED Certified School (Schools Excelling in Emotional Development) and have access to professional support for educators and families along with a library of professional development and classroom enhancements/visuals/language to inform your teaching and share with families. We are also a member of the Early Childhood Business Collaborative.

About Us

The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a non-profit early childhood program created in partnership with families, educators, and members of the community. The Early Learning Center is a fully licensed, center-based program located at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester, providing care and education for 38 children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. We believe that children are competent learners from birth. We value children's natural curiosity and individual ideas and facilitate children's learning through a developmentally appropriate, play-based, emergent curriculum. Our center is committed to providing the very best early childhood education experience for every child and family in our care.