Program/Department:

Preschool Reports To :

Onsite Preschool & Childcare Supervisor or Offsite Preschool Supervisor Supervises:

Associate/Assistant Teacher Position Summary The Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning environment for children. This role supports children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through play, consistent routines, and intentionally planned activities based on developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Core Responsibilities Daily Operations:

Develop a strong home to school relationship with families; engage in warm/friendly conversations. Keep all family/child information confidential. Engage with children and be an active participant in all parts of the day. Phone usage limited to COR/documenting child observations. Attend and assist in all preschool events/activities throughout the school year including but not limited to: orientation, open house, home visits, parent/teacher conferences, family events, staff meetings, trainings, WMFC Community events, professional development, etc. Read/respond to emails daily from your supervisor or others from WMFC about your program/classroom.

Program Implementation:

Plan and carry out an effective, play-based child development program based on the HighScope curriculum model that includes Approaches to Learning; Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development and Health; Language, Literacy, and Communication; Mathematics; Creative Arts; Science and Technology; and Social Studies. Create an environment with well-established, consistent routines and intentional transitions. Develop a calm, pleasant atmosphere in the classroom in which children and families feel welcome, comfortable, and secure. Provide positive guidance using Conscious Discipline and HighScope's Conflict Resolution to help children develop self-regulation and social problem-solving skills. Demonstrate high-quality adult-child interactions and creating a shared understanding of quality with your team in the classroom as outlined and assessed through CLASS. Complete MiRegistry approved trainings that provide you with the required number of hours outlined in the Professional Development Plan. Ensure any certificates required for your role are kept current. Ensure your MiRegistry membership is kept current.

Staff Supervision:

Work as part of a team to maintain a high standard of quality in the classroom and in the program. Be respectful and help each staff member perform to their fullest potential. Be direct with staff when there is a concern; resolve team conflicts in a positive, effective manner. Provide leadership to classroom team and complete performance reviews annually. Encourage team members to complete required trainings to fulfill professional development requirements and COR notes.

Safety & Maintenance:

Promote a safe environment by providing appropriate supervision, deliberate arrangement of space, and necessary maintenance of equipment. Uphold all Michigan Childcare Licensing and GSRP requirements (if applicable). Keep classroom clean and organized, set up each morning/reset each afternoon. Launder nap items weekly or more often if soiled. Keep office space orderly (if applicable). Keep team apprised of any parent or child concerns if you become aware of them, including submitting CPS reports when warranted. Complete outdoor area checklist daily and monitor outdoor space/equipment - report safety concerns/licensing violations to Director. Maintain CPR/FA certification every 2 years. Attend WMFC provided CACFP (food program) training annually.

Administrative Duties:

Communicate as necessary with site transportation staff, kitchen staff, office staff, administration (if applicable). Create a bi-weekly newsletter for families. Prepare reports/materials for, schedule, conduct, and document home visits and parent/teacher conferences two times per year as outlined in the GSRP Implementation Manual. Create/distribute/collect/file required permissions forms for field trips. Retain for 2 years. Complete transportation requests in a timely manner. Notify all parents (and staff/applicable site personnel) of any changes in the schedule, closures, and delays as well as reminders of events/activities coming up (may be through Remind, email, COR, or hard copy). Prepare and share classroom level data with families 3x per year (data sharing), conduct Parent Advisory 2x per year. Keep Child Information Records updated and accurate. Complete Preschool Progress Indicators at the conclusion of the school year. Keep accurate child files and emergency records (fire/tornado, communicable disease, accident/incident reports, emergency procedures, medication permission forms, allergy forms, and other applicable forms). Maintain daily written anecdotal records and stay up-to-date on entering information in COR Advantage to complete 100% 3x per year by established due dates. Encourage progress of team members' note entry. Create/keep daily sign in/out sheets, volunteer records, etc. Complete meal attendance during breakfast, lunch, and snack. Update menu when changes are necessary BEFORE serving children. Maintain and submit all paperwork that is requested in an efficient manner (GSRP, GSQ, Licensing, CACFP, etc.). Submit GSRP electronic binder items to supervisor in a timely manner. Keep accurate credit card records/receipts and submit documents monthly (within one week of email request). Use tax exempt forms diligently. Enter (if applicable) and approve staff time and PTO requests in ADP by established deadline. Keep your supervisor apprised of any family or child concerns weekly or more often as needed. Keep Director/Enrollment Specialist updated in the attendance of children for grant purposes. Other duties as assigned. Skills & Qualifications Required Education (one of the following): Valid Michigan teaching certificate and an Early Childhood Education (ZA) or Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement, Birth-K, or PK-3 endorsement Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development with a specialization in preschool teaching. The transcript will document a major, rather than a minor, in child development or early childhood education.

•Prefer minimally one year experience in early childhood.

Required Training:

Follow Annual Professional Development Plan as set by Director of Licensed Programs (typically requiring 16-24 hours of paid training yearly). CPR & First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain).

Key Skills:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Patience, reliability, and a genuine passion for working with children.

Communication:

Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with children, families, and staff. Open and often communication with other staff members, supervisor, and families.

Problem-Solving:

Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment and maintain composure, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Working Conditions & Expectations Physical Demands:

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds Ability to stand, sit on the floor, bend, and move quickly as needed Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors

Schedule:

Preschool operates Monday-Thursday; full day schedule - times vary depending on site location; very occasional Friday meetings/trainings.

Environment:

Fast-paced, emphasis on safety.

Culture:

Collaborative and respectful. Additional Offsite Administrator Duties (if applicable) Appoint a staff in charge if you are going to be offsite. Reserve rooms for various events including but not limited to: speech/OT/PT, picture day, vision and hearing clinic, orientation, parent/teacher conferences, IEP's, family events, etc. This means being prepared and working with the church/school staff to maintain a positive relationship.

Meet and work with inspectors:

Health Department, Environmental Health, Fire inspections, Licensing, etc. Work with the district's kitchen staff: discuss menus, special needs, allergies. Call in lunch daily reporting number of children and adults, children absent, milk count, and any other needs. Work with the district's Transportation Department to plan for getting children on and off the bus. Create approved menus, take inventory of groceries in order to prepare for the following week. Create grocery list, shop, put groceries away. Turn in receipts upon shopping (time-sensitive). Keep updated binder of labels of all food served for CACFP requirements. Plan for/conduct/document fire, tornado, and other drills (retain records for 2 years). Plan, prepare for, shop for, and conduct preschool family events. Dealing with the particulars that are unique to your site. Post notice prior to the application of pesticides on premises. Ensure posting of required licensing items. Mission Alignment All WMFC staff contribute to enhancing the quality of life for each generation by providing growth and achievement opportunities within a caring environment. The Preschool Lead Teacher supports this by providing high-quality preschool programs so that children are cared for in a supportive, developmentally appropriate, and engaging learning environment while families pursue education to advance professionally or contribute to the workforce and provide for their families.

Pay:

From $36,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person