CE: Preschool Program Lead Caregiver @ TCAPS Montessori, 8.0 hrs/day, beginning 2025/2026 schoo[...]

Traverse City Area Public Schools; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Preschool Program Lead Caregiver to provide early childhood services and supervision. This full-time position involves developing relationships with children and families, maintaining compliance with state regulations, and supporting program goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early childhood education and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Must meet state licensing requirements for Program Director.
• Demonstrated experience in early childhood programs.
• Current First Aid and CPR training.

Responsibilities

• Provide childcare support for children ages 3-5.
• Develop positive relationships with children and parents.
• Assist in maintaining licensing regulations.

Skills

Communication

Childcare

First Aid

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

Child Development Associate (CDA)

Job description

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM LEAD CAREGIVER

(Meets state licensing requirements for Lead Caregiver)

Non-Affiliated Support Staff (NA)

Non-Affiliated Support - Position Information (school year)

Non-Affiliated Support Benefits Summary (school year)

Full-time, school year position.

Location: Central Grade @ TCAPS Montessori

General Summary:

The Preschool Program Lead Caregiver provides early childhood services and supervision for the educational and recreational activities offered through the tuition-based Preschool program. This position reports to the Licensed Child Care Director and the building principal. The Preschool Program Lead Caregiver is responsible for the duties described below:

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide childcare support services for children ages 3-5 years in a preschool classroom environment.
2. Develop positive relationships with children, parents, staff members, administration, and community members through effective verbal and written communication.
3. Support and reinforce the goals of the preschool program including curriculum planning and development.
4. Assist the Licensed Child Care Director and building principals in recruitment of children and families.
5. Assist the Licensed Child Care Director in maintaining State of Michigan LARA licensing regulations.
6. Ensure staff files are compliant and up to date with State of Michigan LARA licensing requirements.
7. Participate in staff development and professional development activities as offered (minimum of 16.0 clock hours per calendar year).
8. Meet periodically with parents to discuss children's progress and conduct parent-teacher conferences.
9. Maintain confidentiality regarding student and family records and information.
10. Create and maintain student portfolios.
11. Complete assessments per TCAPS District guidelines.
12. Attend building-level and district-level meetings as requested.
13. Participate in IEPs as requested.
14. Manage classroom budget and coordinate with the building office to order supplies and materials as necessary.
15. Complete yearly classroom inventory of supplies and materials.
16. Implement and enforce TCAPS District and building-level safety standards and behavior management techniques.
17. Administer First Aid as needed and complete necessary State of Michigan and District-level accident/injury forms.
18. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

1. Must meet state licensing requirements for Program Director as defined by State of Michigan LARA licensing regulations.
2. Educational qualifications include:
   • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
   • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a child-related field including 18 semester hours in ECE or CD and 480 hours of verifiable experience working with children.
   • Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development including 18 semester hours in ECE or CD and 480 hours of verifiable experience working with children.
   • Montessori credential with 18 semester hours in ECE or CD and 480 hours of verifiable experience working with children.
   • Valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with 18 semester hours in ECE or CD and 960 hours of verifiable experience working with children.
   • Sixty semester hours with 18 semester hours in ECE or CD and 1,920 hours experience working with children.
3. Demonstrated experience in early childhood programs and/or previous childcare experience.
4. Ability to communicate and work effectively with children, parents, colleagues, administrative staff, and community members.
5. Current First Aid and infant, child, and adult CPR training.
6. Willing to complete 16.0 clock hours of professional development training per calendar year (January 1 through December 31). First aid and CPR training can count for up to 2.0 of the PD hours.
7. Ability to bend, twist, run, and lift up to 40 pounds while walking short distances.
8. Ability to perform basic accounting.
9. Ability to work outside in all types of weather.
10. A Tuberculosis Test Report showing evidence that staff member is free from communicable tuberculosis and is verified within 1 year before employment.

Please note: Transcripts documenting educational background must be uploaded with application prior to submission.