Early Childhood Teacher

Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous retirement options

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays per year plus vacation

Health insurance options

Tuition reduction for employees and/or

Disability insurance

Life insurance

HSA/FSA savings plans

Free public transportation pass

Job summary

University of Utah’s Student Parent Support Center is seeking an Early Childhood Teacher to support childcare programs serving students, staff, and patients. You will implement developmentally appropriate activities, supervise classroom assistants, and ensure compliance with state licensing and NAEYC standards.

The role emphasizes daily hands-on care, positive guidance, and collaboration with families. A background in early childhood education and ongoing professional development are required.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1 year of related experience working with children, in a child care, Head Start, or preschool.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or must obtain within 3 months of hire.
• Current Food Handler's Permit or must obtain upon hire.
• Must be able to lift and carry small children in arms for short distances (10-50 lbs.).
• Twenty hours of continuing education each year in early childhood education, per Utah Licensing rules and regulations and NAEYC best practices.

Responsibilities

• Complies with State of Utah Child Care Licensing Regulations at all times.
• Aligns with NAEYC Standards.
• Promotes leadership skills within a classroom team and oversees classroom assistants.
• Develop and implement lesson plans to stimulate developmental progress with Creative Curriculum.
• Use positive guidance techniques to minimize inappropriate behavior.
• Assists children with physical necessities, feeding, toileting, and other life skills.
• Daily routine care of children and maintaining a nurturing environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

Associate's degree in a related field

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Current CDA certificate or willingness to pursue a CDA

Job description

Job Summary

The Student Parent Support Center provides information, support, and family resources for university students, faculty, staff, and patients. Student Parent Support Center childcare programs are NAEYC accredited and serve children birth to six years. We offer part-time and full-time programming in three campus childcare programs for students, faculty, and staff and drop-in childcare for patients visiting the three U Health Centers throughout the Salt Lake Valley. These include Campus Child Care Programs (UKids – Presidents Circle, UKids – East Village, and UKids-Guardsman Way), South Jordan Health Center Program, Farmington Health Center Program, and Sugar House Health Center Program. Multiple openings and continuous hiring. Our teachers bring kindness, patience, and mastery to the classroom every day, fostering children's natural curiosity to learn through play and discovery. They encourage children to be lifelong learners using our nationally recognized curriculum that promotes active learning, social, physical, verbal, and cognitive development. We invest in our teacher's education by providing a minimum of twenty hours of annual professional development in early childhood education, Utah State Licensing rules and regulations, and NAEYC best practices. Join our team and grow with us!

• Generous retirement options
• paid parental leave (in addition to FMLA)
• Paid holidays per year plus vacation accruals each month
• Wonderful health insurance options that are both affordable and allow access to care through the University of Utah health system
• Tuition reduction for employees and family members
• Options for short-term and long-term disability insurance
• life insurance
• HSA/FSA savings plans are available
• Free public transportation pass

Responsibilities

• Complies with State of Utah Child Care Licensing Regulations (https://childcarelicensing.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/R381-100.pdf) at all times.
• Aligns with NAEYC Standards (https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/accreditation/early-learning/standards_assessment_2019.pdf).
• Promotes leadership skills within a classroom team and oversees classroom assistants to interpret behaviors and ensure that they are working appropriately with children.
• Models appropriate behavior and teaching techniques for teaching assistants.
• Develop and implement lesson plans to stimulate developmental progress as well as provide intentional daily experience, and hands-on activities for infants, toddlers, and preschool children in accordance with Creative Curriculum Developmental Objectives, DAP guidance techniques, and play-based learning.
• Use positive guidance techniques to minimize inappropriate behavior and redirect children to learn how to appropriately manage their own behavior in a positive manner.
• Supports staff in activities such as: playing on the floor with children at their eye level; actively supervising and maintaining ratios at all times; helping children toilet including lifting children to change their diapers, guiding them through the potty training process (as directed by the lead teacher), and washing hands; cleaning the classroom; maintaining safe transitions between indoors and playground (including actively supervising children outdoors year-round)
• Assists children with physical necessities, feeding, toileting/diapering, medical emergencies, and other life skills, to give proper care and, where appropriate, facilitate development.
• Daily routine care of children such as: feeding, diapering, cuddling, playing, singing, talking, picking children up, holding them, and otherwise providing a gentle and nurturing environment. You will need to be available and responsive to the individual needs of children.
• Other duties as assigned.

Professionalism

• Establishes and maintains friendly, professional, and effective working relationships with other employees, parents, and children.
• Works in conjunction with parents and guardians to build and maintain relationships, discuss concerns, provide suggestions and solutions to day-to-day problems, and alleviate concerns.
• Works in a supportive and cooperative manner with all staff
• Work as a team to maintain a cheerful and aesthetically pleasing childcare environment that reflects the interests of the children.
• Follows directives given by Administration, including Director or Director Designee. This may include last-minute changes to ensure the safety and well-being of children are maintained.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, but show a willingness to take direction from the supervisor.
• Demonstrates consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Responsible for accurate record keeping and data collection of client's program usage to maintain compliance with child care licensing and NAEYC.
• Behaves in a manner that is aligned with University of Utah and NAEYC's Ethical Code of Conduct https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/position-statements/Ethics Position Statement2011_09202013update.pdf

Problem Solving

The Early Childhood Teacher has the authority to develop all lesson plans and curriculum taught in the class, assess problem behaviors, and emotional functioning of children, and discuss these matters with the parents/guardians. He/she also assesses the degree of illness, or injury and decides the proper course of action, i.e. a child with asthma who might have an unusually strong attack, etc. The incumbent also has the authority to operate the center in the absence of the Supervisor, oversee teacher aides and intervene to ensure they interact with appropriate child guidance techniques. Any suspect of child abuse, or neglect are reported to the Supervisor.

Some challenges faced by the Early Childhood Teacher are teaching non-English speaking preschoolers while trying to overcome language and culture differences; and dealing with hyper-activity disorders. Other problems are parents who bring in sick children, those who are unable to leave work to pick up sick children, and those who cannot be reached when their child is sick.

Comments

The incumbent must also distribute medication brought in by parents to children appropriately, and collect money for field trips.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1 year of related experience working with children, in a child care, Head Start, or preschool.
• Demonstrated interest in learning about child development and guidance.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or must obtain within 3 months of hire.
• Current Food Handler's Permit or must obtain upon hire.
• Must be able to lift and carry small children in arms for short distances (10-50 lbs.).
• Must meet physical characteristics (with or without the use of aids) including:
  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Sufficient vision to read printed material
  • Sufficient hearing to hear normal and telephone conversations
  • Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation
  • Ability to sit on the floor and move about on hands and knees for long periods of time
  • Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to communicate effectively with children and their parents/guardians, both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to complete ongoing written assessments about each child that will be shared with parents/guardians.
• Demonstrated skills in general office duties, computer systems, and technology.
• Must be available for in-person meetings with parents/guardians when requested.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with management and/or dispatch in case of emergency.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, evaluate progress, and adjust activities to complete projects within established timeframe.
• Skilled in establishing effective and collaborative working relationships.
• Able to demonstrate skills in effective communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated skills in general office duties, computer systems, and technology.
• A commitment to providing excellent customer service skills.
• Twenty hours of continuing education each year in early childhood education, per Utah Licensing rules and regulations and NAEYC best practices.
• Must be able to pass criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Current Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate or willingness to pursue a CDA.
• Some experience working in a NAEYC Accredited program.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Preferences

• Associate's degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (such as Child and Family Development, Early Childhood Development) or equivalency
• Current Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate or willingness to pursue a CDA.
• Some experience working in a NAEYC Accredited program.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN46499B

Full Time or Part Time?: Full Time

Work Schedule Summary: Monday through Friday between 7:00 am and 7:00 pmSchedules may vary20 – 40 hours/week (0.50-1.00 FTE), depending on hiring needs and incumbent schedule

Department: 00291 - Student Parent Support Center

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $15.50 - $18.00/hour including an excellent benefits package

Close Date: 01/15/2027