Early Learning Center Teacher

Position Title: Early Learning Center Teacher

Reports To: Center Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM

Designation: Hourly

Position Overview

Pathways Early Learning Center is a nonprofit, tuition-free preschool serving children experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, ages 8 weeks to 6 years. Our program blends child-centered, hands-on learning with trauma-sensitive practices to honor the whole child and support social-emotional healing, resilience, and development. We have proudly maintained a 5-Star Quality Rating with the Alabama Department of Early Education for the past two years.

We are seeking five (5) full-time Early Learning Center Teachers to join our team across our infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a loving, secure, and predictable classroom environment rooted in child-centered, self-directed learning and trauma-informed caregiving.
• Provide responsive care routines (feeding, diapering, toileting, comforting) for infants and toddlers; support self-help skills, emotional regulation, and school readiness for older children.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate monthly lesson plans using hands-on materials and open-ended exploration adapted for children who may have experienced adversity.
• Conduct and document ongoing developmental screenings, observations, and assessments (weekly and monthly) to track progress and inform instruction.
• Maintain all required paperwork, attendance, health and safety records, and family communications accurately and on time.
• Observe, document, and communicate each child's growth and milestones with families using a strengths-based, culturally sensitive approach.
• Collaborate with social workers, family advocates, and mental health professionals to ensure wrap-around support for children and families.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom that complies with licensing, health regulations, and Quality STARS criteria.
• Model patience, empathy, and respect in every interaction; build a consistent, positive classroom community.
• Engage in ongoing professional development in child-centered, trauma-sensitive education, assessment practices, and reflective caregiving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Montessori credential, or related field strongly preferred.
• CDA in Infant/Toddler or Preschool, or Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education (minimum requirement).
• Previous experience working with infants, toddlers, or preschoolers in a licensed childcare setting.
• Knowledge of child development, child-centered learning environments, responsive caregiving practices, and trauma-informed strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to complete required paperwork, assessments, and lesson planning accurately and on schedule.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs and engage in floor-level play.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: $14–$17/hour (final rate commensurate with education, experience, and funding approval)
• Simple IRA
• Health, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Professional development assistance (including training in child-centered and trauma-informed education)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Long Term Disability

Work Location: In person

Work Environment

• Classroom or early learning center setting; standard 40-hour workweek.
• Environment may be highly sensitive and stressful; reflective supervision and self-care are encouraged.
• Daily physical activity such as walking, standing, bending, and lifting is required.

Equity & Inclusion

Pathways recruits, hires, compensates, and provides services without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation or belief, veteran status, marital status, or disability status. Applicants who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, men, differently abled, and/or bilingual are highly encouraged to apply.

Summary Statement

Join our mission-driven, nonprofit, tuition-free preschool—a program that has maintained a 5-Star Quality Rating with the Alabama Department of Early Education for two years running. We are hiring five dedicated Early Learning Center Teachers to work across our infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms serving children ages 8 weeks–6 years, with a strong emphasis on accurate documentation, developmental screening, and lesson planning in a child-centered, trauma-informed learning environment.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person