Early Childhood Education Co-Teacher

Preschool Co-Teacher

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at Goodman Community Center provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children ages 3–5 learn through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships. The Teacher works collaboratively with the Lead Teacher and ECE team to create a high-quality learning environment that supports each child's cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development while fostering positive relationships with children and families.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to create a welcoming, inclusive classroom and implement daily lesson plans, schedules, classroom routines, and behavior guidance strategies that support children's learning and development.
• Foster children's social-emotional growth using Conscious Discipline, positive guidance practices, and developmentally appropriate classroom management techniques.
• Plan and facilitate engaging learning experiences that introduce early literacy, math, science, art, and social studies concepts through curiosity, play, exploration, and problem-solving in a mixed-age classroom.
• Observe children's development, document milestones, and maintain accurate records in accordance with Creative Curriculum assessment expectations.
• Assist the Lead Teacher with child assessments through observations, work samples, photographs, and other documentation methods. Communicate developmental concerns and family needs to the Director of Childcare as appropriate.
• Create and maintain a culturally responsive and inclusive classroom that reflects the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities of children and families.
• Maintain children's portfolios and assessment documentation within Creative Curriculum.
• Promote children's health and well-being by encouraging daily physical activity, healthy habits, and developmentally appropriate nutrition education.
• Build positive relationships with families through daily communication, conferences, family engagement activities, orientations, open houses, and center-wide events.
• Create a supportive environment where every child feels safe, respected, and encouraged to participate as an individual and as a member of the classroom community.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and engaging classroom by rotating materials, sanitizing toys and equipment, following health and safety procedures, and ensuring appropriate supervision of children at all times.
• Maintain accurate attendance records, child files, required documentation, permission forms, and other records in accordance with licensing, accreditation, grant, and Goodman Community Center requirements.
• Comply with all applicable child care licensing regulations, accreditation standards, organizational policies, and program procedures while maintaining required certifications and completing required training.
• Respond appropriately to illnesses, injuries, emergencies, and suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with organizational policies, licensing requirements, and mandated reporter responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are reasonably related to the responsibilities of this position.

Requirements

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Wisconsin driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• At least a CDA Credential, or preferably an associate degree in Early Childhood/Child Development or equivalent, or a baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood/Child Development, or a degree in a related field
• Experience working with preschool-aged children in an early childhood education setting.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Wisconsin Child Care Licensing Rules and City of Madison Accreditation standards.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Commitment to Goodman Community Center's mission, values, and equity-centered approach to serving the community.

Physical Demands

• Stands, walks, sits, bends, kneels, crouches, reaches, and moves throughout the classroom and outdoor play areas.
• Lifts, carries, pushes, and pulls children, classroom materials, and equipment weighing up…