Teacher Full-Time Early Childhood Associate Educator – $31,845 to $35,200 per year
Job Description
Denver Cooperative Preschool is hiring Associate Educators for the 2022-23 school year.
Founded in 1960, The Denver Cooperative Preschool (DCP) is a play-based early childhood cooperative school that seeks to provide a holistic and supportive community for young children, parents, and caregivers. At The Denver Cooperative Preschool we deeply value the wonder of childhood, and believe wholeheartedly in the important work of creating a learning environment where children and their families are centered.
Position Title: Early Childhood Associate Educator
Supervisor: Reports to the Executive Director
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time; At-Will
Work Hours: 40 Hours Per Week, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (30 minute lunch break provided)
Compensation: $31,845 to $35,200 per year(This position is paid hourly at the rate of $19.00-$21.00 per hour, depending on experience. DCP is a school-year program, and all educators are paid from August 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023. All school breaks and holidays are fully paid, even for hourly staff.)
Benefits:
- Health/dental/vision
- Short-term disability (100% employer-paid)
- Life insurance (100% employer paid)
- Simple IRA program with up to 3% employer match
- PTO
- Tuition discount for children of educators and staff
- Potential for year-end performance-based bonus as outlined in the DCP Employee Handbook, paid at the Board’s sole discretion
- Potential for Holiday bonus, paid at the Board’s sole discretion
- Individual professional development budget of $750 (Additional continuing education funds are available on a first come, first served basis for college courses, ECE conferences, and workshops)
Job Description
The Associate Educator is an enthusiastic part of the teaching team, providing reliable and consistent support to the children and Lead Educators in the classroom. The Associate Educator plays a critical role in the community, developing close relationships with children and their families and maintaining an open environment in which students feel loved, supported, and safe. An Associate Educator provides strength, organization, and direction to their teaching team while meeting the physical, social, and emotional needs of the children in the class. An Associate Educator works enthusiastically and responsibly with all children, families, and other staff members in the DCP community.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum one year of experience working with children birth through age eight in a group care setting
- Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential Level I
- Completion of at least one early childhood course listed below, or willingness to complete within six months of hire:
- Introduction to Early Childhood Professions
- Introduction to Early Childhood Lab Techniques
- Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children
- Early Childhood Heath, Nutrition, and Safety
- Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs
- Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood Professions or Introduction to Business
- Early Childhood Curriculum Development
- Early Childhood Growth and Development
- The Exceptional Child
- Infant/Toddler Theory and Practice; or Expanding Quality Infant/Toddler (EQUIT)
- Willingness to obtain and maintain all required PDIS certifications, including CPR/First Aid, Standard Precautions, and Medication Administration
- Ability to pass CBI/FBI and TRAILS background checks
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- High School Diploma or GED
Preferred Qualifications
- Two or more years of experience working with children birth through age eight in a group care setting
- Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II or higher
- Completion of two or more early childhood courses listed below:
- Introduction to Early Childhood Professions
- Introduction to Early Childhood Lab Techniques
- Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children
- Early Childhood Heath, Nutrition, and Safety
- Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs
- Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood Professions or Introduction to Business
- Early Childhood Curriculum Development
- Early Childhood Growth and Development
- The Exceptional Child
- Infant/Toddler Theory and Practice; or Expanding Quality Infant/Toddler (EQUIT)
- Associates or Bachelors degree in Early Childhood, or a related field
Job Responsibilities and Duties
- Implement curriculum and lesson plans as created by the Lead Educators with developmentally appropriate experiences for the children that enhance their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development
- Provide opportunities for children to grow their knowledge, skills, and dispositions by asking questions, conducting in-depth investigations, and making decisions about their activities and learning, in collaboration with the Lead Educators
- Supervise children at all times, complying with regulations requiring ‘sight and sound’ supervision
- Use appropriate and positive guidance to support the children in developing self-control and problem-solving skills
- Maintain awareness of safety hazards in the classroom, hallways, and playground in order to create an environment in which children are free to explore and assume age-appropriate risk
- Maintain and clean classroom spaces, common areas, materials, and playgrounds daily, in collaboration with the entire DCP staff and parent volunteers
- Understand, implement, and conform with the Rules Regulating Child Care issued by the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Child Care
- Provide regular, positive, thorough communication to parents and caregivers through daily informal summaries and email communications when necessary
- Support Lead Educators as needed with student portfolios, information for weekly newsletters, parent bulletin board and annual developmental evaluations
- Supervise children at all times, often while a number of activities are happening simultaneously
- Follow the school’s rules and guidelines as set forth in the Employee Handbook, the Parent Handbook, and any other rules and guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors, all of which may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors
- Attend staff meetings, professional development, and all school-sponsored events
- Complete fifteen (15) clock hours of approved training per year
Essential Skills
- Knowledge and understanding of child development and the needs of young children
- Patience and flexibility; ability to support young children in a calm manner
- Ability to relate to young children and adults
- A nurturing approach, exhibiting respect for all and joy for teaching
- A commitment to fulfill the mission, vision, philosophy, and goals of the Denver Cooperative Preschool
- A commitment to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of the Young Child) Code of Ethics
- Maturity and sound judgement to think quickly and respond to situations, including emergencies
- A commitment to maintain a professional attitude and loyalty to the DCP community
- A commitment to treat children, parents, and staff with flexibility, respect, and dignity
- Proficient at speaking, reading, and writing in the English language
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently
- Ability to sit on the floor or on child-sized furniture
- Frequent bending, stooping, walking, running, standing, sitting, kneeling, crawling, squatting, twisting, pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching above head, and reaching away from body
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including snow and moderate cold and heat
