A VPK classroom where the curriculum comes from the children.
KLA Schools of Oakleaf is a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood school in Oakleaf Plantation. We're hiring a VPK Lead Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year.
Florida's VPK standards give you a framework. What you do inside it is yours. You observe your four-year-olds, document what they're actually curious about, and build from there — hitting every emergent literacy and standards benchmark along the way, because children who are genuinely interested learn faster than children who are being drilled.
Where we are — this is not downtown Orange Park
We're on Royal Pines Drive in Oakleaf Plantation, off Oakleaf Plantation Pkwy where Argyle Forest Blvd runs in from Blanding Blvd and I-295. Our mailing address says Orange Park, but we're up at the Clay-Duval county line, next to Jennings State Forest and minutes from Oakleaf Town Center.
Easy drive from Argyle, Jacksonville's Westside, Middleburg, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, and Jacksonville (JAX) generally.
22 paid days off per year — here is what that total includes
- 10 paid holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day
- Paid winter break, school closed December 24 through January 1
- One paid week of summer vacation
- 4 PTO days, available after 90 days
- Your 22-day total grows by half a day for every full school year you stay
Plus
- 50% tuition scholarship for your own child, available from your first day
- Aflac accident and life insurance, we pay your full premium (after 90 days)
- Paid professional development at school, plus up to $150 a year toward outside training
- A real career path: Lead Teacher to Mentor Teacher to Pedagogical Coordinator. We promote from inside.
What you'll do
- Lead a VPK classroom of four-year-olds as the qualified VPK instructor of record
- Build curriculum from your own observations of your children, aligned to Florida's prekindergarten standards
- Document children's thinking through notes, photos, and daily journals
- Track and report VPK attendance and progress as the program requires
- Partner with families as genuine collaborators, including two conferences a year
- Mentor your assistant teacher and share what you know with the team
- Keep records and health and safety practices current with Florida licensing standards
VPK credential requirement — read this part, you may already qualify
Florida requires every VPK lead instructor to hold ONE of the following. Any single one of these qualifies you:
- CDA (Child Development Associate) or FCCPC, earned within the last five years
- Associate's degree or higher in child development or early childhood education
- Associate's degree or higher in any unrelated field, plus at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education or child development, plus at least 480 hours of experience working with children from birth to age 8
- Bachelor's degree or higher in early childhood education, prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education, or family and consumer science
- Bachelor's in elementary education with a Florida Educator's Certificate covering any age from birth through sixth grade
Already credentialed but haven't done the VPK trainings yet? That's fine. The three emergent literacy courses and the Florida Standards preschool course can be completed after you start — Florida allows 45 days from the date you begin as lead instructor. We'll get you enrolled in week one.
Also required
- 18 or older
- Florida DCF 45-Hour Training, or willingness to complete it
- Able to pass Florida Level 2 background screening and sign an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
- Comfortable lifting or holding a child up to 40 lbs and being active outdoors with children
- Strong written communication in English (bilingual is a plus)
- Curious about Reggio Emilia — prior experience is welcome, but we will train you
Never taught Reggio before? Apply anyway. Some of our strongest teachers came from traditional VPK classrooms and never went back.
We respond to every applicant within one business day.
Pay: $39,000.00 - $43,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- Do you hold a CDA, FCCPC, or an associate's or higher degree that meets Florida's VPK lead instructor requirement? (If unsure, apply anyway and we will help you check.)
- Are you able to pass a Florida Level 2 background screening?
- Have you completed Florida's DCF 45-Hour Introductory Child Care Training?
Work Location: In person
