Teacher

$1000 SIGN-ON BONUSABOUT EARLY CONNECTIONS LEARNING CENTERSEarly Connections Learning Centers is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high quality early care and education for ALL children. Every position works in coordination to achieve this mission. Since 1897, our work to provide high quality early childhood education has positively impacted thousands of children and families in the Pikes Peak region. Our nationally accredited programs help build a strong foundation for young children to be happy and successful in learning and life.u00a0JOB SUMMARYThe Teacher plays a vital role in creating a joyful, nurturing, and inclusive classroom where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to learn. Working closely with the Lead Teacher, this position helps design and deliver meaningful learning experiences that foster each child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Teachers partner with families to build a strong foundation for school readiness and lifelong curiosity. This role upholds the highest standards of quality by following Colorado Department of Human Services licensing requirements, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, and Early Connections' policies and values.u00a0ESSENTIAL DUTIESu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Create a joyful, engaging classroom where every child feels known, valued, and inspired to explore. Plan and implement meaningful learning experiences that support each child's growth across all developmental domains.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Model excellence in early education practice by integrating play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with Teaching Strategies GOLD, Colorado Early Learning Guidelines, and NAEYC standards.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Partner in the classroom. Collaborate with the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing engaging, developmentally appropriate learning activities that encourage exploration, creativity, and growth across all areas of development.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Lead with confidence when needed. Assume full classroom responsibility in the Lead Teacher's absence, providing consistency and care for children and families.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Create a safe, welcoming environment. Maintain indoor and outdoor spaces that are clean, safe, and inviting, ensuring compliance with CDHS Licensing, Health and Safety standards, USDA food and sanitization requirements, and the NAEYC Cleaning and Sanitation Table.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Support inclusion and belonging. Foster a classroom culture that values and celebrates each child's identity, background, and abilities---embracing diversity in all forms including culture, family structure, language, and individual needs.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Engage families as partners. Build positive relationships with parents and caregivers through open communication, family events, and parent-teacher conferences. Collaborate with families to share progress and strategies for supporting children's growth and school readiness.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Document and observe with purpose. Accurately complete documentation such as attendance, meal records, and assessment data (Teaching Strategies GOLD), incorporating family input to inform individualized learning goals.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Promote health and safety. Request, prepare, and maintain classroom materials to ensure they are adequate, appropriate, and safe. Adhere to CACFP and other health regulations that protect children's well-being.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Model professionalism and continuous learning. Demonstrate understanding of early childhood development principles, applying them with compassion and creativity. Stay current with training and program expectations to ensure compliance with Early Connections, CDHS, and NAEYC standards.u00a0u00a0SECONDARY DUTIESu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Build warm, respectful relationships with children and families while maintaining professional boundaries.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Communicate and collaborate with colleagues, specialists, and community partners to support childre 's needs and classroom goals.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Maintain confidentiality and discretion in all matters related to children, families, and staff.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Represent Early Connections with professionalism---showing positivity, reliability, and pride in the important work of early education.u00a0QUALIFICATIONSu00b7u00a0u00a0Meets Colorado minimum Rules and Regulations for Teachers. Must be Early Childhood Teacher qualified.u00a0Additional coursework may be required based on classroom assignment.u00b7u00a0u00a0Documented experience teaching in the Early Childhood Education field working with children (birth to age six).u00b7u00a0u00a0Demonstrated passion for working with children and a strong professional foundation in the principles, theories, and best practices of early childhood education, including care for infants through school-age youth.u00b7u00a0u00a0Prior to employment, candidates must pass federal and state criminal and Colorado Department of Early Childhood background checks, pre-employment drug screen, physical, and verification of employment, education and/or credentials and, by position, valid driver's license.u00a0PHYSICAL DEMANDSPosition requires physical mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation if requested, to perform essential functions of the job, including but not limited to sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, squatting. Should be able to:u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Exert 20 to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects and occasionally childrenu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Make fast, simple, repeated movementsu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Endure physically and emotionally working with infant through school-age children for long periods of timeu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0See objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are focused forwardu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0See details at a distance and close rangeu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudnessu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable positionu00a0TRAVEL AND REMOTE WORKAll positions at Early Connections Learning Centers are on site. This position does not qualify for any remote working capability.u00a0CURRENT BENEFITSPaid Time Offu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a013 paid holidays scheduled in 2026u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Opportunity to accrue up to 19 additional days of PTO annuallyu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Paid Family Medical Leave for qualifying individuals -- this benefit does not provide 100% wage replacementMedical, Dental, Visionu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Medical insurance -- ECLC pays up to 75% of employee premiumu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Dental and Vision insuranceu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Free Employee Assistance Programu00a0u00a0Childcare Benefitu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Substantial discount for childcare: employees pay $25/week for children 3+ who are enrolled at Early Connections Learning CentersThis benefit depends on having an enrollment openingTuition Reimbursement, Continuing Education and Trainingu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Tuition reimbursement of $150 per 3-credit hour course is available to staff enrolled in approved coursework in Early Childhood Education or related to their position and who maintain the required grade point average.u00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Reimbursement may be available for pre-approved job-related certificate programsOther Insuranceu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0100% employer-paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Insuranceu00b7u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Voluntary Short Term Disability Insuranceu00a0

Created: 2026-01-23