Early Childhood Education Teacher

Join our team as an Early Childhood Education Teacher

Transform young lives and shape bright futures by joining our team as an Early Childhood Education Teacher In this pivotal role, you'll create and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that spark curiosity and build essential life skills in our youngest learners.

As the architect of a nurturing classroom environment, you'll design meaningful educational experiences that foster cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development while maintaining a safe space where children can explore, discover, and grow. Your exceptional classroom management abilities and warm, supportive teaching approach will help each child develop at their own pace while building the foundations for lifelong learning.

Why You Should Join Us

Impactful Work: Shape young minds and transform futures in our community by implementing high-quality early childhood education that builds essential life foundations.

Competitive Compensation: Benefit from a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and recognize your important contribution to children's development.

Growth Opportunities: Access ongoing professional development in early childhood education methodologies and pursue career advancement pathways within our mission-driven organization.

Collaborative Culture: Join a nurturing, supportive team that values creativity in teaching approaches and collaboration with families to create the best outcomes for children.

Who We Are

Founded in 1946, Kingswood Community Center, Inc. (KCC) sits in the heart of the Riverside Community located in Northeast Wilmington. KCC's mission is to enable people in Northeast Wilmington and surrounding communities to achieve their potential for economic, social, and personal well-being. KCC offers programs for the youngest and oldest alike, as it includes an early learning center for 12 months to 5 years of age, before and aftercare, after school programming for school age youth, and a senior center for the elders in the community. In addition to programming, KCC provides resources, opportunities, and events to all ages.

What You'll Do

The ELA/ School Age Teacher is responsible for the planning and implementation of age-appropriate high-quality learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and the use of assessment. The ELA/ School Age Teacher provides a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment where children have the opportunity to develop cognitive, social, emotional, self-care and physical skills. This position utilizes superior classroom management skills while providing effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions and promoting individual child development. The ELA / School Age Teacher also builds partnerships with families to assist them in identifying goals, strengths, needed services, and support systems.

Program Development

• Ensure the implementation of high-quality early childhood curricula and activities, following national best practices and standards in early childhood education.
• Prepare weekly lesson plans within the framework of the Creative Curriculum and following Head Start standards.
• Plan and provide learning opportunities to children which support growth in the areas of cognition, early literacy and language, social development, play skills, fine and gross motor development, fine arts, adaptive/self-care skills, health, and nutrition.

Instruction and Facilitation

• Assist in the direction and supervision of children while maintaining high standards of health and safety.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making.
• Work with the Director of Early Learning and support services staff in the classroom to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children and meets the needs specified on the Individualized Learning Program (IEP) and/or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
• Contribute to the development and implementation of organized and well executed program activities.
• Serve as a role model to participants and staff in attitude and behavior.
• Monitor children's attendance and behavior; follow up with families to reduce barriers to participation.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making.
• With supervisor's guidance, may provide leadership and direction to Teaching Assistants and Classroom Aide(s), practicum students, and parents; may provide leadership in a co-teaching system.

Community Engagement

• Maintain an active understanding of agency programs to increase opportunities for support and collaboration.
• Attend regular staff meetings and supervisory meetings as scheduled.

Resource Management

• Maintain a clean, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment, including the organization of space, storage of supplies and materials, and sanitation of equipment.
• Collaborate with support services staff and program partners to ensure that the needs of each child are met.

Data Management and Reporting

• Implement a developmentally appropriate and ongoing assessment of student progress. Assessments are conducted bi-weekly via Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Uphold compliance with agency policies and standards, legislative regulations (e.g. licensing, Delaware STARS, accidents, incidents, and disciplinary actions) and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Analyze information and maintain complete, organized, and accurate documentation (including email communication). Prepare and submit timely reports and other documentation.
• Practice continuous learning through individual study, classroom training, accredited early childhood development courses, seminars, and conferences. Work with the Director of Early Learning to develop and implement a Professional Development Plan.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What We're Looking For

Education and Experience

• Child Development Associate's (CDA) required; Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (which has equipped applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position) preferred.

• Must have coursework with a focus on child development.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• At least one year of working with youth ages 6-12.

Certification Requirements

• First Aid/CPR preferred; must be certified within first 30 days of hire.

• Certification through Delaware First as an Intern or Assistant Teacher preferred; must be certified within first 60 days of hire.

Skills and abilities

Candidate must have the ability to:

• Communicate and present effectively.
• Manage multiple activities with strong attention to detail and effective time management skills.
• Work with multiple age levels of children.
• Be a team player, adapt to change, and demonstrate flexibility.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to achieve goals and objectives.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Be culturally sensitive.
• Be pro-active regarding job responsibilities.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Work Environment and Requirements

• Schedule: Full-time, primarily Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with occasional after-hours or weekend work.
• Travel: Primarily local during the business day, with some out-of-area or overnight travel as needed.
• Physical Demands: Ability to sit for extended periods, use technology, and move about to facilitate workshops or meetings.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

How We Evaluate Performance

Performance in this position will be evaluated in alignment with our Employee Handbook standards.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kingswood Community Center is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under local, state, or federal law.

How to Apply

If you're excited about this opportunity and believe you have the qualifications and drive to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you.