Staff & Family Engagement Coordinator / Classroom Teacher Position Summary
The Staff & Family Engagement Coordinator / Classroom Teacher is a dual-role member of the Little Lambs & Ivy Leadership Team who serves as both a classroom educator and the center's leader for staff engagement, family involvement, community partnerships, events, and fundraising. This position balances providing high-quality care and education for children while fostering a positive, welcoming, and connected culture throughout the center.
While assigned to a primary classroom and responsible for daily teaching responsibilities, this position also works collaboratively with the Director, Assistant Director, and Curriculum Coordinator to strengthen relationships among staff, children, families, the church, and the community through meaningful engagement opportunities, staff recognition initiatives, volunteer programs, and special events.
This role is intended to dedicate approximately 70–80% of scheduled hours to classroom teaching responsibilities, with the remaining time allocated to engagement, event planning, family outreach, communications, and leadership projects. Time dedicated to engagement responsibilities may increase during special events or center initiatives as approved by the Director.
This position is not responsible for employee discipline, classroom supervision outside of assigned teaching duties, staff scheduling, licensing oversight, or employee evaluations. Instead, it serves as the center's leader for culture, community engagement, and family involvement while remaining an active classroom teacher.
Reports To
Director
Collaborates With
- Director
- Assistant Director
- Curriculum Coordinator
- Teaching Staff
- Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
- Families
- Community Organizations
- Volunteers
- Simsbury United Methodist Church
Position Philosophy
A thriving childcare center is built on strong relationships. The Staff & Family Engagement Coordinator / Classroom Teacher helps cultivate an environment where children feel loved, families feel connected, staff feel appreciated, and the community feels welcomed.
By remaining actively involved in the classroom each day, this role maintains meaningful relationships with children and families while helping strengthen the overall culture of Little Lambs & Ivy through events, communication, collaboration, and community partnerships.
Primary Classroom Responsibilities
- Serve as a classroom teacher and maintain all responsibilities expected of teaching staff.
- Provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate care and education.
- Create engaging learning experiences that support the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom environment.
- Build strong relationships with children and families.
- Complete daily classroom documentation and communication through Procare.
- Support children's social-emotional development.
- Maintain licensing compliance within the classroom.
- Collaborate with classroom teaching partners.
- Participate in transitions, outdoor play, meals, rest time, and daily routines.
- Attend staff meetings and professional development.
- Model professionalism, teamwork, and positive interactions.
Staff Relations & Employee Engagement
- Coordinate staff appreciation and recognition programs.
- Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, and achievements.
- Organize staff appreciation events throughout the year.
- Coordinate team-building activities.
- Promote a positive and collaborative workplace culture.
- Gather staff feedback and suggestions for improving morale.
- Help recognize outstanding staff accomplishments.
- Support employee wellness initiatives.
- Encourage collaboration between classrooms.
- Assist leadership in creating a positive workplace culture.
Family Engagement
- Develop meaningful opportunities for family involvement.
- Coordinate family engagement events throughout the year.
- Welcome prospective families during tours and community events as requested.
- Organize parent appreciation initiatives.
- Coordinate volunteer opportunities.
- Encourage family participation in classroom activities and center events.
- Collect family feedback through surveys.
- Help strengthen relationships between families and the center.
Event Planning & Coordination
Coordinate center-wide events including:
- Open House
- Back-to-School Night
- Family Meet & Greets
- Fall Festival
- Trunk or Treat
- Thanksgiving Food Drive
- Holiday Programs
- Christmas Program
- Family Game Nights
- Muffins with Mom
- Donuts with Dad
- Grandparents Day
- Week of the Young Child
- Teacher Appreciation Week
- Graduation
- Summer Family Picnic
- Community Outreach Events
- Parent Workshops
- Volunteer Appreciation Events
- Fundraising Events
Responsibilities include:
- Developing event timelines
- Coordinating volunteers
- Scheduling planning meetings
- Ordering supplies
- Decorating event spaces
- Coordinating vendors
- Managing event logistics
- Monitoring event budgets
- Conducting post-event evaluations
- Collaborating with leadership to ensure events meet licensing and safety requirements
Fundraising & Resource Development
- Coordinate fundraising efforts with the Director and PTA.
- Research fundraising opportunities.
- Build partnerships with local businesses.
- Seek sponsorships and donations.
- Assist with grant research when requested.
- Coordinate fundraising volunteers.
- Track fundraising goals and outcomes.
- Evaluate fundraising success and recommend improvements.
Community Relations
- Build partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
- Represent Little Lambs & Ivy at community events.
- Coordinate community service projects.
- Strengthen partnerships with Simsbury United Methodist Church.
- Coordinate volunteer opportunities.
- Promote the center through community engagement initiatives.
Communications
- Assist in creating newsletters.
- Coordinate event announcements.
- Maintain family information boards.
- Create promotional flyers and materials.
- Coordinate social media content with Director approval.
- Highlight classroom activities and center accomplishments.
- Promote volunteer opportunities and upcoming events.
Leadership Collaboration
As a member of the Leadership Team, this position collaborates with the Director, Assistant Director, and Curriculum Coordinator to:
- Support the mission and vision of Little Lambs & Ivy.
- Develop annual center goals.
- Enhance staff morale.
- Increase family participation.
- Improve communication throughout the center.
- Coordinate annual events and celebrations.
- Strengthen community partnerships.
- Develop fundraising initiatives.
- Support enrollment efforts.
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive center culture.
Position Does Not Include
To maintain clear leadership responsibilities, this position does not:
- Conduct employee evaluations
- Handle employee discipline
- Create staff schedules
- Manage classroom ratios outside assigned teaching duties
- Complete licensing inspections
- Make hiring or termination decisions
- Manage payroll or financial operations
- Serve as the primary administrator in charge of daily operations
Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Communications, Marketing, Business, or a related field preferred.
- Experience working in an early childhood program.
- Experience planning events, coordinating volunteers, or family engagement activities preferred.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational and time management abilities.
- Ability to balance classroom responsibilities with leadership projects.
- Professional, positive, and approachable demeanor.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Desired Characteristics
The ideal candidate:
- Is an exceptional classroom teacher.
- Builds relationships naturally.
- Inspires and motivates others.
- Enjoys planning events and bringing people together.
- Is highly organized and dependable.
- Communicates effectively with families and staff.
- Thinks creatively.
- Works collaboratively.
- Demonstrates initiative and flexibility.
- Represents Little Lambs & Ivy with professionalism and enthusiasm.
Performance Expectations
Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
- High-quality classroom teaching.
- Strong relationships with children and families.
- Increased family participation.
- Improved staff engagement and morale.
- Well-organized center events.
- Successful volunteer coordination.
- Positive community partnerships.
- Effective fundraising initiatives.
- Strong collaboration with the Leadership Team.
- Consistent promotion of a positive, welcoming, and inclusive center culture.
Pay: $17.00 - $18.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
