Preschool Teacher

Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30 am-5:30 pm;
Tues 8:30 am-2 pm;
Thurs 8:30 am-2:30 pm

Total

Hours:

37 (half hour non‑paid break included Mon, Wed, Fri)

9‑Week Summer Program: 20‑32 hours per week

Start Date: July 27, 2026

1st Church Preschool is an NAEYC accredited morning and full‑day preschool program located in Cheshire. The program is not religiously affiliated and promotes a play‑based philosophy that encourages learning through hands‑on experiences. We provide education and childcare for children aged 2.9 months through 6 years old. Our preschool operates a normal school year and a 9‑week summer program. The program closes for December Break and 9 days in August.

1st Church Preschool is hiring a full‑time preschool teacher to support the operation of our classroom. Teachers will also staff April school vacation week and the summer program as needed.

• Passionate about working with young children
• Create a learning environment that is safe, engaging and appropriate to the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of preschool children
• Communicate effectively and maintain positive relationships with children, families and staff
• Work closely and effectively in a team setting
• Patience and acceptance of the developmental level of all children
• Energetic and enthusiastic to engage in all daily activities with children
• Flexibility to meet the needs of the children and adjust to changes in the learning environment
• Ability to make good judgments and decisions
• Physical stamina to lift up to 50 lb and perform other tasks related to the preschool environment

• Supporting children’s health and safety at all times during school according to state licensing requirements and NAEYC standards.
• Awareness and acceptance of the intellectual, physical, emotional, and social needs of each child as an individual.
• Providing positive guidance and discipline to encourage appropriate behavior per school policy.
• Reporting all accidents and emergencies to the Head Teacher and recording them.
• Maintaining a high level of confidentiality concerning children and families.
• Developing and maintaining an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each child’s family and encouraging their involvement in the program.
• Working cooperatively and effectively as a team member by communicating and contributing information on a continuous basis.
• Overseeing and supporting the transitions of the day, including bathroom time, indoor/outdoor transitions, helping children change clothes, etc.
• Assisting Head Teacher in developing and writing weekly age‑appropriate curriculum plans to meet program objectives.
• Involvement in daily preparation and implementation of programming activities
• Assisting Head Teacher in making and recording daily observations to write individual goals and evaluations of children.
• Assisting with housekeeping tasks such as clean‑up and straightening of classroom and other common supply areas, cleaning tables, snack set‑up, snack dishes, outdoor storage areas, etc.
• Supervision of afternoon staff and volunteers.
• Assisting in updating and maintaining NAEYC Classroom Portfolio.
• Assume leadership in the absence of the Head Teacher.
• Attendance at workshops and training sessions as required to maintain professional status.
• Providing coverage in other classrooms as indicated by schedule or when short staffed.
• Attendance at regularly scheduled staff meetings, mandatory teacher workdays, Parent Night, end‑of‑the‑year event and assistance with parent/teacher conferences as needed.
• Reliable and consistent attendance includes arriving on time, not leaving early, and utilizing personal and sick time effectively.
• Staffing the program’s 9‑week summer program and April school vacation week as needed.

Associate’s degree in early childhood education or a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education required with experience in an early childcare setting and Connecticut Head Teacher Certification.

• Child development and early education theories and practices
• Safe and appropriate activities for children
• CT OEC State Licensing Regulations
• Knowledge of NAEYC Standards and Accreditation
• Knowledge of CT‑ELDS and CT‑DOTS

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• AFLAC
• Paid‑Time Off (Sick & Personal)
• Paid Holidays
• 1 Week Paid Vacation in December
• Retirement Benefit—Simple IRA with 3% match
• Cost of Living Increase and End‑of‑Year Bonus as supported by Annual Budget
• Longevity Bonuses