Child Care Teacher

Job Title: Child Care Teacher
Number of Positions: 3
Location: Richmond, VA 23298
Duration: 3-month direct-hire engagement
Work Setting: Onsite
Schedule: Monday–Friday
Center Hours: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM
Shift: 7.5-hour shift scheduled within center operating hours
The Child Care Teacher will utilize the Reggio education approach to plan, develop, and implement creative and adaptive lesson plans while providing a safe, secure, and engaging environment for children from 6 weeks through 6 years of age.

Working as part of a teaching team, the Child Care Teacher will support children's social, cognitive, language, motor, and emotional development. The role also involves maintaining appropriate documentation, communicating with families, following licensing and regulatory requirements, and maintaining a safe and clean classroom environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans for the assigned classroom.
• Develop activities and goals that promote cognitive, social, emotional, language, gross motor, fine motor, and independence skills.
• Create an engaging environment that supports children's self-esteem, autonomy, and development.
• Document children's daily progress and activities and prepare reports and feedback for parents.
• Review information and data regarding each child and support smooth transitions into and out of the classroom.
• Develop positive and respectful relationships with children and families.
• Demonstrate understanding of how Reggio concepts are implemented in indoor and outdoor classroom environments.
• Follow applicable licensing and accrediting-body requirements and standards.
• Maintain accurate written reports and records for assigned children.
• Supervise teacher aides and volunteers assigned to the classroom within their scope of practice.
• Collaborate with other teachers, team leaders, site supervisors, and directors.
• Participate in staff meetings, special sessions, continuing education, and mandatory training.
• Follow established policies, procedures, and regulatory guidelines.
• Maintain appropriate infection-control and environmental health and safety practices.
• Ensure classroom furniture, toys, bookshelves, cots, cabinets, and other areas are routinely cleaned.
• Identify and remove broken toys and report unsafe surfaces or environmental hazards.
• Maintain appropriate playground supervision and staff coverage.
• Ensure cleaning and disinfecting solutions are properly prepared, labeled, and securely stored.
• Assist in coordinating classroom environmental needs to maintain a safe, clean, and well-stocked environment.
• Participate in special projects and other assignments as required.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of formal childcare experience.
• Previous experience working with children 6 weeks through 6 years of age, paid or unpaid.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes noisy environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and frequent/intense interactions with children, families, and staff.
• Strong reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt to frequent change.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Ability to perform duties involving frequent bending and climbing.

Education
Candidates must meet one of the following pathways:

• Two-year degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, Psychology, or closely related field, OR
• High School Diploma/equivalent plus a minimum of 40 hours of coursework in Early Childhood Education or a related field, OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience specifically working with children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
• Familiarity with the Reggio philosophical approach to early childhood education.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate.