Lead Teacher Positions at Playful Learning Reggio Inspired Preschool
Full Time Or Part Time
About Playful Learning Preschool
Nestled in the heart of The Dalles, Oregon, Playful Learning Preschool has been a cherished community cornerstone for 10 years. As a Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based preschool, we celebrate the natural curiosity and creativity of children ages 2-5 through hands-on, exploratory learning experiences. Our philosophy emphasizes open ended play through arts and crafts, building, sensory materials, toys, and ample outdoor time, rain or shine. Through the school children, educators, and families collaborate to build meaningful knowledge and connection in a warm, supportive environment.
With a small, dedicated team and a strong sense of community, we foster positive relationships that extend beyond the classroom—creating lasting bonds and a true sense of belonging for everyone involved. We offer year-round programs, including preschool, enrichment activities, an after school program for elementary aged kids and summer camps, all designed to nurture young minds in a joyful, encouraging space.
Position Overview
We are excited to welcome a passionate and experienced Lead Teacher to our team on a full-time or part-time, year-round basis. This role offers a consistent schedule from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, allowing you to make a meaningful impact every day in our vibrant preschool setting.
Benefits include Healthcare, Paid Vacation and Sick Time, Professional Development and Training, and $500 Retention Bonus when you complete a full school year.
Qualifications
- Experience in early childhood education, or a combination of relevant education and hands-on experience.
- Experienced paraeducators are warmly encouraged to apply.
- A genuine enthusiasm for Reggio-inspired, play-based learning and a commitment to fostering a positive, child-centered environment.
Pay and Benefits
We believe in supporting our educators just as much as we support our children and families. As part of our team, you'll enjoy:
- Starting at $22-$34 an hour depending on experience
- Health Benefits
- Paid Vacation and Sick Time
- $500 Retention Bonus at the end of the school year.
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities to help you grow in your career.
Application Instructions:
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram @playfullearningschool for a glimpse into our daily adventures. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!
Detailed Job Description:
Ensures, supports, and promotes each child’s learning, well being, and development in cooperation with their parents and other early childhood professionals in a manner consistent with the daycare licensing regulations. Based on parent goals, classroom observations and individual child assessments the teacher plans a developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum which meets the needs of all children and their families.
Essential Functions
Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position.
Classroom Operation
a. Provides positive feedback and support to classroom staff.
b. Establishes a well managed, child oriented learning curriculum and environment.
c. Implements and complies with the program work plan.
d. Implements and complies with Child Care Division (CCD) licensing requirements, Child
Outcomes Framework, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and USDA.
e. Meets with appropriate staff, parents, and professionals to share curriculum, progress, and
needs.
f. Assists in the planning and conducting of classroom meetings and team building strategies.
g. Participates in regular classroom meetings with classroom staff and supervisor.
h. Develops work assignments for classroom team and volunteers.
i. Contributes to team effort.
j. Completes required program paperwork.
k. Provides direction to classroom staff through training and models of the teaching program,
thereby ensuring effective program positive guidance model.
l. Develops classroom community by providing a well designed, safe environment that engages
children in activities.
m. Assists in parent involvement activities and encouraging parents and other family members to share skills and talents.
n. Plans and delivers classroom part of parent meetings.
Curriculum Development and Instruction
a. Ensures overall curriculum development and instruction including individualization, building
concepts, literacy enrichment, and language development.
b. Develops curriculum that builds on observations of children and utilizes a variety of
approaches to learning.
c. Assists in developing and implementing comprehensive and individualized family services
plans (IFSP) for each child with special needs in collaboration with parents, co-workers, and
consultants.
Observations, Assessments and Outcomes
a. Ensures child outcomes through the curriculum process.
b. Reviews and implements ASQ/ASQ-SE results for all children.
c. Completes developmental screening and follow-up in collaboration with other teaching staff
d. Maintains children’s work sample portfolios.
Parent Communication
a. Promotes parents as the primary educators of their children.
b. Ensures that information and services are provided to the parents in their primary language.
c. Shares information frequently with parents about their child’s experience.
d. Respects parents’ point of view and follows through on parents goals for their child.
e. Cooperates with other program staff to help parents obtain clear and understandable
information about their child’s needs.
f. Maintains an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child’s family.
Health and Nutrition
a. Provides an environment that promotes good health and nutrition.
b. Helps children develop basic health habits and plans health and educational activities.
c. Promotes and supports the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of children.
Leadership, Training and Mentoring
a. Provides ongoing coaching and mentoring to teaching staff and other assigned personnel,
apprentices and volunteers as directed or indicated in review of classroom observations such as
CLASS or Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS).
a. Receives feedback from supervisor.
b. Maintains confidence and protects program operations by observing strict confidentiality.
c. Participates in staff, parent, and advisory meetings and county committees.
d. Provides clear directions, demonstrating patience, offering calm and consistent responses and responding quickly to children’s needs.
e. Works to resolve issues and problems among co-workers cooperatively and respectively.
f. Identifies, implements, and documents in-kind generated from classroom activities.
Professional Development
a. Fosters an understanding of mission, goals, objectives, and program services.
b. Promotes quality educational services for the benefit of children and families.
c. Demonstrates understanding of the philosophy and current best practices of the early
childhood education and describing its goals and objectives to others.
d. Evaluates own performance to identify needs for professional growth.
e. Maintains professional and technical knowledge and takes advantage of training or educational experience that will help him/her grow more competent.
Safety
a. Applies safety practices in all facets of the performance of duties.
b. Reports immediately any unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or injuries.
c. Collaborates with management staff for the prompt completion of injury investigation,
corrective actions, and inspections as required.
Other
Performs other work related or assigned duties.
Helping to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children.
Assisting with classroom and playground supervision of children while incorporating positive child guidance techniques.
Assisting with toileting, changing and clothes, and preparing children to go home with parents.
Assisting with general classroom maintenance and cleaning which includes sweeping floors, disinfecting toys and furniture, replenishing supplies, laundry duties and other related tasks.
Helping the teaching staff with record keeping as assigned.
Pay: $22.00 - $34.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
