Early Childhood Education Teacher

Responsible Recruiter

Position:
Childcare Teacher - serving infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children (6 weeks–6 years)

Location:

Peoria, IL

Employment Type:

Full-Time (up to 40 hours a week)

Why Choose Apple Tree Academy?

At Apple Tree Academy, we prioritize the well-being of both our students and staff. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, enriching environment for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years old. Our commitment to best practices in early childhood education ensures that each child receives the nurturing foundation necessary for their academic and personal growth.

Who We're Looking For:

Qualified candidates who are responsible, reliable, and passionate about teaching young children. An ideal candidate who possesses a deep understanding of child development and is enthusiastic about fostering a positive learning environment.

Key qualifications include:

• A Genuine Passion for Working with Children: A true love for guiding and nurturing young minds is essential.
• Educational Credentials: A CDA (Child Development Associate), CCP (Certified Childcare Professional) or an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from an accredited institution is required for Lead Teachers.
• Knowledge of Child Development: A strong understanding of developmental milestones and the unique needs of young children is essential.
• Commitment to Professional Growth: A desire to continue learning and developing within the field of early childhood education.
• Collaborative Spirit: Openness to feedback, coaching, and working closely with a team of educators.
• Patience and Positivity: A calm, patient demeanor to engage with young children in a professional and compassionate manner.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to lift and hold children, sit on the floor, and actively engage in play and other physical activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
• Assist with additional tasks as needed to support the center's operations.
• Maintain a professional and polished appearance as a representative of our academy.

What We Offer:

• A positive and supportive work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Competitive benefits including PTO, Holiday Pay, Health Insurance, and 401(k).

Proudly Serving Children 6 Weeks to 6 Years old

We endeavor to promote growth through safe, developmentally appropriate activities in a secure and caring environment. We provide a stimulating experience to promote each child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. We also strive to foster a love of learning, an appreciation for beauty, and an abiding respect for the world around us. We place the highest value on each child's need for respect, self-discipline, and individuality.

We recognize play as a child's natural way of learning. Play is the child's process of exploring, identifying, negotiating, taking risks, and creating meaning. Play must be a fundamental component of early childhood care and education. We use a child's discovered interests observed through play to develop age-appropriate classroom curricula. A child's eventual transition to kindergarten and later schooling is best served through child-centered, play-based learning combined with a degree of age-appropriate, organized, didactic, structured learning.