Preschool Teacher in Kent, CT

Summary

Program Objective. Kent Community Nursery School (KCNS) provides children with a safe, caring environment for exploration and growth. Learning is play-based with extensive outdoor time. The educational program is designed to foster social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of each child.

 

We are looking to hire a full time Teacher starting in August 2026 (possibly sooner). KCNS daily hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

Duties

Teaching responsibilities are to:

• Maintain a play-based approach to learning, experimenting, and exploring with extensive outdoor time.
• Create an engaging and safe environment for children.
• Follow a daily routine with the children, (including a morning walk, circle time, art, projects, reading and mealtimes).
• Support the emotional wellbeing of each child.
• Support self-reliance and experiences that build self-esteem.
• Support safety awareness and hygiene, including toileting and hand washing.
• Diligently monitor children during learning times, mealtimes, and restroom breaks.
• Assume full responsibility for the children and program.
• Collaborate with other teachers on activities.

 

Communication skills are to:

• Communicate with children, parents, staff, and the KCNS Directors.
• Maintain the confidentiality of children and families.
• Communicate professionally with parents and be sensitive and open to parent suggestions and questions.
• Be well-groomed and neatly dressed, bearing in mind the demands of the curriculum and outdoors.
• Report to the KCNS Directors and KCNS Board President.

 

Professional responsibilities are to:

• Attend an Annual Policy Review meeting and read and sign the KCNS policies.
• Complete professional development hours.
• Complete certifications (see details below).

Requirements

Qualifications. The Teacher must have experience with preschool-age children and enjoy working with children. The position requires one of two options:

 

Option 1

• An earned Associate's CDA (Child Development Associate) credential issued from the Council for Professional Recognition or at least 12 credits in early childhood education or child development from a regionally accredited higher education institution
• And over not less than a nine (9) month span of time: At least 1,080 hours of documented supervised experience working with children in a program that serves children under the age of 6 years.

Option 2

• A Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development from a regionally accredited higher education institution.
• And at least three hundred and sixty (360) hours of documented supervised experience working with unrelated children under the age of 6 years and at least one semester of student teaching with children under the age of 6 years.

Required certifications are to be completed by the time the position begins:

• Child Care and CPR/First Aid Certification: Adult, Child, Infant, (renewed every 2 years)
• Administration of Medication Training for Childcare: Oral, topical, and inhalant medication, (renewed every 3 years)
• Administration of Medication Training for Childcare: Injectable medication, (renewed every year)
• CT Care 4 Kids Health and Safety Training,
• CT OEC Background Check, completed by the time the position begins (renewed at expiration)
• Medical Exam, (within a year)

 

We can help coordinate a training for the above-mentioned certifications and your time will be paid by KCNS to complete the required certifications.

Benefits

Benefits include paid time off (PTO) and Professional Development assistance. PTO is offered based on the number of hours worked per week. PTO may be used for sick time and personal time. Professional Development assistance is for fees and mileage.