Childcare Teacher

Heartworks Early Education; New Jersey; On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Tuition discount

Professional development

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Babilou Family US is seeking a proactive Teacher Associate to design safe, nurturing learning experiences and lead a teaching team in a sustainability-focused classroom. You will implement curriculum, supervise students, and engage families in meaningful ways to support children’s growth.

We emphasize developmentally appropriate practice and environmental stewardship, with opportunities for ongoing professional learning and collaboration across classrooms and centers.

Qualifications

• At least twenty (20) years of age and HS diploma or GED.
• One of the listed childcare qualifications above is required.
• Experience with groups of children from grade three or younger preferred.
• Ability to pass a background check as required by licensing.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement daily lesson plans aligned with developmentally appropriate practice and sustainability.
• Lead classroom organization and routines promoting environmental responsibility.
• Supervise children during activities and meals with safety and documentation.
• Engage families through conferences, events, and community learning opportunities.
• Coach assistants and collaborate with staff to strengthen curriculum and eco-friendly classroom routines.

Education

Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate

Associate degree in Early Childhood / Child Development / Elementary Education or related

Certificate from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program

Child Care Certificate from the Community College of Vermont with 12+ months experience

Twenty-one college credits with early childhood focus and 12+ months experience

Job description

Are You Ready to Make an Immediate Impact?

Babilou Family US is part of the global Babilou Family network and brings a local, community-focused approach to early childhood education through our Little Sprouts, Building Blocks, and Heartworks schools. We are looking for a proactive and collaborative team member who will support our mission and contribute meaningfully to this role.

As a Teacher Associate, you will lead the creation of a safe, nurturing, and sustainable learning environment where children develop curiosity, confidence, and responsibility. You will design and implement high-quality curriculum, guide the teaching team, and model sustainable education practices that support children’s learning and long‑term wellbeing. This role is ideal for an educator committed to developmentally appropriate practice, environmental stewardship, and strong partnerships with children, families, and colleagues.

Our work is guided by our educational approach, Sustainable Education®, which bridges research and daily practice to help children thrive and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. We’re in what we like to call the science of children. Everything we do is rooted in research about how young minds grow— how they learn, connect, and build the skills that last a lifetime. We also lead our HONOR values: Humility, Open-Mindedness, Nurture, Ownership, and Recognition. This guiding framework fosters an environment where educators, children, families, and partners feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow.

This locationwill operateyear-round, Monday–Friday,7:00AM-6:00PM

What We Will Achieve Together:

• We will craft a classroom culture grounded in respect, exploration, and sustainable learning practices.
• We will integrate meaningful curriculum experiences that connect children to the natural world and promote responsible decision‑making.
• We will maintain an organized, safe, and eco‑minded learning environment
• We will strengthen family communication and community involvement.
• We will support ongoing educator growth and classroom quality through continuous reflection, training, and collaboration.

What you’ll do:

Classroom Leadership and Sustainable Education

Design and implement daily lesson plans and learning experiences aligned with developmentally appropriate practice and sustainable education principles.

Lead classroom organization and routines that promote environmental responsibility, mindful material use, and stewardship habits.

Model best practices for the teaching team and ensure high‑quality instructional delivery.

Child Supervision and Development

Supervise children during learning activities, meals, transitions, and outdoor exploration that fosters connection to nature and hands‑on learning. Serve as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with state law, maintaining full responsibility to recognize, document, and immediately report any suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.

Support each child’s developmental needs, using observation and documentation to guide instruction and promote holistic growth.

Family Engagement

Build strong, trusting relationships with families through consistent, professional, and sustainability‑minded communication practices.

Lead or participate in conferences, family events, and community learning opportunities that strengthen family involvement.

Professional Development and Team Collaboration

Maintain all required certifications and participate in ongoing training, including sustainability‑focused professional learning.

Collaborate with colleagues to strengthen classroom systems, curriculum implementation, and the school’s sustainability initiatives.

Coach and support Assistant Teachers in instructional practices and environmentally responsible classroom routines.

Required Qualifications:

A Teacher Associate is at least twenty (20) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications:

• At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; or
• At least an associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least a Certificate of Completion from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or
• At least a Child Care Certificate from the Community College of Vermont and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of twenty‑one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

Work Environment

• Active classroom environment with regular interaction with children, families, and team members
• Movement between indoor and outdoor learning spaces throughout the day
• Collaborative setting with consistent communication and teamwork

Physical Requirements

The Teacher Associate role requires active involvement in both administrative and classroom environments. To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the following physical abilities are required:

• Ability to move throughout the school for prolonged periods, including standing and walking for up to 75 percent of the workday.
• Ability to transition between sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting throughout the day to engage with children and support staff.

• Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds, including classroom materials, supplies, and occasional assistance with children’s belongings.
• Ability to sit on the floor, engage at a child’s eye level, and participate in age‑appropriate activities including light running, outdoor play supervision, and interactive learning experiences.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, sometimes noisy environment with frequent interruptions and regular movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Ability to supervise children on playgrounds, in classrooms, hallways, entryways, and common areas.
• Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs. Ability to follow and model all safety procedures.

All employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.

What we offer:

We invest in our employees’ health, financial wellbeing, professionalgrowthand family success through:

• Up to 50%childcare tuition discount.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and visioninsurance,effective on your first day of employment.
• Free First Stop Health membership, providing 24/7 access to virtual primary care, urgent care, andshort-termmental health support.
• 401(k) retirement plan withannualdiscretionary employermatchcontribution.
• Optionallife insurance and short/long-term disability coverage, helping provide financial protection and peace of mind.
• Performance-based pay, including increases tied tocertification and/ordegree completion.
• Career growth and professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and our dedicated CHILDConference.
• Generous paid time off and holiday benefits, including an annual Winter Break closure between Christmas and New Year’s so employees can enjoyadditionaltime with family and friends.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP),offering confidential resources and support for mental health, financial wellness, work-life balance, and other personal needs.
• Employee referral bonusprogram, becausegreat people know great people!Earn bonuses for helping us build an exceptional team.
• Additionallifestyle and fringe benefits, including tuitionand professionaldevelopment reimbursement, pet insurance, and other programs designed to support you and your family.

Closing:

Babilou Family US is part of a global network of 1,100 early education and child care centers. We provide quality early education and child care across 42 New England schools. Through the experience and talents of nearly 900 early education professionals and in partnership with nearly 4,000 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive.

Our teams, whether at our home office or inside our schools, are change makers – they inspire, create, model, and most importantly make thisa great placeto work.AtBabilou Family USwe are consistently recruiting,retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity within the communities inwhich weoperate.Our focus on equity and inclusionallowsus to develop a broader scope of ideas and approaches, offering a collaborative and dynamic educational experience for the youngest members of society.

$20.50 - $23 an hour

Pay range:

$20.50-$23.00 per hour for Teacher Associate Qualified Candidates

Legal Notice

We are an equal opportunity employer and value a workplace where everyone feels welcome. Employment here is offered on an at‑will basis, meaning either the employee or the company may end the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable state and federal laws.