Job Overview Little Chicks University is seeking a compassionate, dependable, creative, and enthusiastic Lead Preschool Teacher to join our growing team! Our Lead Preschool Teacher will be responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom where preschool-aged children feel loved, supported, and excited to learn. The Lead Teacher will encourage children's growing independence, curiosity, creativity, confidence, and social skills through meaningful relationships, hands-on experiences, and play-based learning. At Little Chicks University, we strive to provide more than childcare—we want to create a true home-away-from-home where children feel safe, valued, included, and excited to come each day. We believe preschool should provide children with opportunities to explore, ask questions, create, problem-solve, build friendships, and develop the skills they need for future success without losing the joy and wonder of childhood. Our ideal Lead Preschool Teacher genuinely enjoys working with young children, understands developmentally appropriate practice, and is committed to building strong partnerships with children, families, and fellow educators. Potential Job Duties As the Lead Preschool Teacher, responsibilities may include: Provide a safe, nurturing, welcoming, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment for preschool-aged children. Maintain active supervision of children at all times and ensure Vermont staff-to-child ratio and group-size requirements are maintained. Lead the daily operation and organization of the preschool classroom. Build warm, positive, and trusting relationships with each child. Develop and implement developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum based on children's interests, abilities, developmental needs, and learning goals. Plan engaging daily and weekly learning experiences that support children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, literacy, mathematical, scientific, physical, and creative development. Provide opportunities for art, music, movement, dramatic play, sensory exploration, science, early mathematics, literacy, writing, building, outdoor learning, and creative expression. Provide hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to explore, investigate, experiment, create, and problem-solve. Incorporate the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) into curriculum planning and classroom experiences as appropriate. Encourage children's natural curiosity and provide opportunities for them to ask questions and investigate topics that interest them. Read to children daily and provide a classroom environment rich in books, storytelling, conversations, songs, rhymes, and early literacy experiences. Support early writing development through drawing, name writing, journaling, environmental print, classroom signs, and other developmentally appropriate experiences. Introduce early mathematical concepts such as counting, sorting, patterns, shapes, measurement, number recognition, and comparison through play and everyday experiences. Provide science and nature experiences that encourage observation, prediction, experimentation, and discovery. Encourage creativity and self-expression rather than expecting children's artwork or projects to look identical. Provide opportunities for both teacher-guided and child-directed learning. Avoid relying on worksheets, lengthy group instruction, or developmentally inappropriate academic expectations. Prepare children for future school experiences while recognizing that school readiness includes social-emotional development, communication, independence, curiosity, confidence, and self-regulation in addition to academic skills . Establish predictable classroom routines and expectations. Provide developmentally appropriate transitions between activities and minimize unnecessary waiting. Encourage children to develop independence with dressing, toileting, handwashing, eating, cleaning up, and caring for personal belongings. Provide appropriate choices and opportunities for children to make decisions throughout their day. Help children develop responsibility for their classroom community through age-appropriate classroom jobs and responsibilities. Support children in developing friendships and positive peer relationships. Teach and model sharing, turn-taking, cooperation, empathy, kindness, and respect. Help children identify, understand, and appropriately express their emotions. Support children in developing early conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills. Use positive behavior-guidance techniques , including redirection, modeling, choices, logical consequences, environmental modifications, and emotional coaching. Respond calmly and appropriately to challenging behavior. Work to understand the developmental or environmental reason behind behavior rather than simply attempting to stop the behavior. Never use corporal punishment, humiliation, threats, yelling, withholding basic needs, or other prohibited disciplinary practices. Observe children regularly and document developmental progress, interests, strengths, emerging abilities, and areas in which additional support may be beneficial. Use classroom observations to guide curriculum planning and individualized learning experiences. Maintain required developmental and classroom documentation. Communicate developmental or behavioral concerns to the Program Director according to program procedures. Work collaboratively with families when children need additional developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, or academic support. Follow individualized plans and reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities, developmental delays, medical needs, behavioral needs, or other identified support needs. Collaborate appropriately with early intervention professionals, special educators, therapists, school personnel, and other authorized service providers. Support children's toileting independence while providing assistance when needed. Respond to toileting accidents calmly, respectfully, and without shame or punishment. Assist children with changing clothing and personal hygiene when necessary. Monitor children's supplies and notify families when additional clothing or other personal items are needed. Supervise meals and snacks and create positive, relaxed mealtime experiences. Encourage age-appropriate independence with serving, eating, cleaning up, and mealtime routines when appropriate. Follow all documented food allergy, dietary, medical, and feeding requirements. Closely supervise children during meals and snacks for choking, allergic reactions, or other concerns. Never force children to eat or use food as punishment or reward. Supervise children appropriately during rest or quiet time. Provide a calm and comfortable environment for children who rest. Provide appropriate quiet activities for children who do not sleep when permitted by program policy and licensing requirements. Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and developmentally appropriate classroom. Clean and sanitize classroom materials, tables, equipment, and other surfaces according to program procedures. Teach and model proper handwashing and personal hygiene practices. Follow universal precautions when handling blood, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials. Conduct or participate in classroom and playground safety checks. Immediately remove or report damaged, broken, unsafe, or developmentally inappropriate materials and equipment. Provide regular outdoor play and gross-motor experiences when conditions permit. Encourage running, climbing, balancing, jumping, dancing, throwing, catching, and other developmentally appropriate physical activities. Actively supervise children outdoors and position staff appropriately throughout the play area. Provide opportunities for children to explore nature and learn about the world around them. Maintain accurate attendance and child accountability throughout the day. Complete name-to-face checks and other required accountability procedures during transitions. Follow authorized child-release procedures and release children only to approved individuals. Greet children and families warmly and professionally at arrival and departure. Build respectful, collaborative, and trusting relationships with parents and guardians. Communicate regularly with families regarding children's learning, development, accomplishments, experiences, and needs. Provide families with meaningful information about their child's day rather than only reporting problems or concerns. Use Brightwheel and other approved communication methods to document and share children's activities and experiences. Enter accurate and professional information into Brightwheel as assigned, including attendance, meals, rest, activities, photographs, learning experiences, and daily notes. Share children's accomplishments and developmental growth with families. Listen respectfully to family questions, concerns, perspectives, and feedback. Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and employees. Never discuss one child's confidential information with another child's family. Follow Little Chicks University policies regarding photography, electronic communication, confidentiality, and social media. Monitor children throughout the day for signs of illness, injury, discomfort, distress, or significant behavioral changes. Follow program health and illness-exclusion policies. Provide first aid within the scope of the employee's training. Complete incident and injury reports accurately and promptly. Immediately notify the Program Director of significant injuries, illnesses, behavioral concerns, safety concerns, or unusual incidents. Follow all individual allergy, medical, emergency, and health plans. Follow Vermont's mandated reporter requirements and report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law. Know and follow Little Chicks University's Emergency Response and Recovery Plan. Participate in required fire, evacuation, lockdown, shelter-in-place, and other emergency drills. Maintain accurate accountability for children during emergency situations. Help children understand and practice emergency procedures in a calm, developmentally appropriate manner. Lead and organize the preschool classroom team. Provide appropriate guidance and direction to assistant teachers, substitutes, trainees, and other classroom staff. Communicate classroom routines, children's individual needs, daily responsibilities, and safety expectations to assisting staff. Model positive, respectful, and developmentally appropriate interactions for other classroom staff. Delegate classroom responsibilities appropriately while remaining accountable for the overall operation of the classroom. Work cooperatively with other classrooms and staff to maintain safe and effective program operations. Participate in staff meetings, professional development, supervision, and required training. Maintain all education, training, certification, and professional-development requirements applicable to the position. Arrive to work on time, prepared, and ready to assume responsibility for children. Maintain dependable attendance and follow established call-out procedures. Maintain professional boundaries with children, families, coworkers, and community partners. Demonstrate professionalism, patience, creativity, reliability, flexibility, and a positive attitude. Follow all Little Chicks University policies and procedures and applicable Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations. Perform additional reasonable duties necessary to support the children, classroom, families, and overall operation of Little Chicks University. Required Vermont Qualifications Applicants must meet the State of Vermont requirements to serve as a Teacher Associate or higher in a Center Based Child Care and Preschool Program. Under applicable Vermont licensing requirements, a Teacher Associate must be at least 20 years old and meet at least one qualifying pathway, which may include: A Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate ; OR An associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services plus at least 12 months of qualifying experience working with groups of children through grade three; OR A Vermont Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program Certificate ; OR A Community College of Vermont Child Care Certificate plus at least 12 months of qualifying experience ; OR At least 12 months of qualifying experience plus 18 college credits with an early childhood or school-age focus; OR At least 12 months of qualifying experience plus 12 college credits with an early childhood or school-age focus and an additional 6 college credits in child or human development with an early childhood or school-age focus; OR 12 college credits with an early childhood or school-age focus , with at least 12 months of qualifying experience to be completed within the first 12 months of employment, as permitted under the applicable Vermont licensing pathway. Applicants must also successfully complete all required background clearances and maintain all training, professional development, certifications, and other requirements applicable to their position. Applicants who are unsure whether their education and experience meet Vermont Teacher Associate requirements are still encouraged to apply. Qualification documentation can be reviewed as part of the hiring process. Benefits We value our educators and recognize the important role they play in children's lives.

Benefits for this position include:

3 weeks of paid vacation Paid holidays Your birthday off — paid! Childcare discount for eligible employees Opportunities for ongoing professional development and training Supportive and collaborative work environment Opportunities for professional growth and advancement as Little Chicks University grows What We're Looking For Our ideal Lead Preschool Teacher is someone who is: Kind, patient, compassionate, and nurturing Reliable and dependable Creative, energetic, and enthusiastic Passionate about early childhood education Comfortable taking a leadership role within the classroom Knowledgeable about or willing to continue learning about child development and developmentally appropriate practice Excited to create engaging, hands-on, play-based learning experiences Able to recognize that children learn in different ways and develop at different rates Able to balance intentional teaching with children's interests, creativity, exploration, and play Comfortable getting down on the floor to play, build, create, explore, read, sing, dance, and sometimes get a little messy alongside the children Able to communicate professionally and compassionately with families Patient and calm during challenging behaviors or difficult moments Able to provide structure and consistent expectations while remaining warm and responsive Excited to celebrate children's accomplishments—whether that means writing their name for the first time, solving a problem independently, making a new friend, or finally learning how to zip their own coat A positive team member who is willing to communicate, collaborate, learn, and grow Committed to creating an inclusive classroom where every child feels safe, loved, respected, capable, and valued Join Little Chicks University! If you are passionate about early childhood education and want to be part of creating a preschool classroom where children are genuinely loved, supported, challenged, encouraged, and excited to learn , we would love to hear from you. At Little Chicks University, preschool is about much more than preparing children academically for kindergarten. It is about helping children develop confidence, independence, curiosity, creativity, friendships, communication skills, and a lifelong love of learning. Our teachers have the opportunity to celebrate children's accomplishments, encourage their questions, help them work through challenges, and create the positive early experiences that children will carry with them long after they leave our classroom. We are looking for an educator who understands the importance of these early years and wants to make them something special. Come grow with Little Chicks University and help us create a home-away-from-home where our preschoolers can learn, explore, create, and thrive!

Pay:

$23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

Employee discount Paid time off Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person