First Steps 4K Teacher

Sunshine House; Columbia (AL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted childcare

Same day pay

Unlimited growth opportunities

Affordable health plans

401K retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

The Sunshine House is hiring a Childcare Teacher in Columbia, SC. You will foster a safe, nurturing classroom where children learn, play, and grow daily. You’ll implement the First Steps 4K curriculum and partner with families to support each child’s development.

We offer opportunities for education support, competitive pay starting at $17/hour, and a collaborative team environment focused on child well-being and growth.

Qualifications

• Passion for working with young children.
• Age 18 or older and background checks/health assessments.
• High school diploma or equivalent, and pursuing higher education in ECE.
• 6 months of licensed childcare experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment.
• Create an engaging classroom where children can learn, play and grow.
• Support children’s social and emotional development.
• Foster a love of learning through Creative Curriculum and Brain Connect.
• Build strong partnerships with families through daily app updates and discussions.
• Implement the SC First Steps 4K curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten.
• Document milestones and share progress with families via the app.

Skills

Passion for young children

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Associate's Degree with progress toward Bachelor's degree

Job description

Childcare Teacher

Love making a difference? You'll fit right in.

There’s something truly special about knowing you’re shaping a child’s future. When you join The Sunshine House family, you’re not just taking a job—you’re making an impact.

Now is a great time to join our team. For 50 years, The Sunshine House has been nurturing young minds and helping children thrive. Our teachers are the foundation of who we are, and the heart of our success. And we’d love for you to be a part of our next 50 years!

Position Available At

• 1801 Clemson Road, Columbia, SC 29229
• 3011 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210

Compensation: Starting at $17

Candidates with advanced education and experience in early childhood education may qualify for higher pay within the range. Regular increases are considered with additional education, stellar performance, and years of service.

First Steps Teacher Responsibilities:

What’s it like to be a teacher at our school?

• Ensure a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment.
• Create an engaging classroom where children can learn, play and grow.
• Support children’s social and emotional development.
• Foster a love of learning through Creative Curriculum and our Brain Connect programs.
• Build strong partnerships with families through daily app updates and personal discussions.
• Implement the SC state First Steps 4K curriculum to prepare children for success in kindergarten
• Foster relationships with children and provide a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment.
• Document and share with families the important milestones in a child’s day using our app.
• Welcome families and engage them in conversation about their child's education and development.
• Have fun and work as part of a supportive team!

Requirements

This might be the perfect fit for you!

• Passion for working with young children.
• At least 18-years-old.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to pass background checks & health assessments.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. for child safety and emergencies.
• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or related field required. It is acceptable to have an Associate's Degree, but must be enrolled and/or working towards a Bachelor's Degree.
• At least 6 months of experience at a licensed childcare center preferred.

Benefits

Why You’ll Love Working at The Sunshine House:

Our team is our family. You invest in our children, and we invest in you!

• Competitive Pay: The pay range is just the starting point. Our hiring managers carefully consider your experience, credentials, & education and complete annual salary evaluations. Ask about how we support advancement (like tuition reimbursement) that may increase your pay.
  • Discounted childcare
  • Same day pay available
  • Unlimited growth opportunities
• Fantastic Benefits Package: You have lots of choices for health, dental, vision, and other benefits such as AFLAC. Choices afford you control over how you’d like to receive your healthcare, and how much you want to pay for it.
  • Affordable Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
  • Company-paid life insurance
  • 401K retirement plan
  • Employee wellness program
• Work-Life Balance: Your paid time off starts accruing from day one. And the longer you stay with the company, the more time off you earn – including 7 paid holidays.
  • Monday-Friday schedule
  • Employee discounts on major brands like Verizon
• Education Supports: All required professional development is paid. Interested in continuing your education? We pay for the CDA program and support TEACH.
  • Paid trainings & professional development
  • Up to 95% FREE tuition for CDA, associate's, bachelor's or master's programs with the TEACH program. Eligible bonuses could push the amount of funding to over 100%.

About The Sunshine House:

For 50 years, The Sunshine House has provided high-quality early education and childcare for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. We operate more than 100 schools across 7 states, helping children build a solid educational and social foundation while having fun. Learn more at www.sunshinehouse.com.

Hear From Our Happy Teammates:

“I love coming to work every day because I truly enjoy my job, my coworkers, and the wonderful children we serve!” - Columbia, SC

“Sunshine House is a supportive and welcoming environment where we work together to provide the best care for our little ones.” - Stockbridge, GA

“My supervisors have always supported my growth here. It’s one of the best work environments I’ve ever experienced!” - Little Elm, TX

The Sunshine House is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The Sunshine House prides itself on closely following state and federal laws designed to keep you protected. Follow the links below to learn about Discrimination, FMLA, and Polygraph protections. Information on additional employee rights can be found posted at each school.

Discrimination Information

FMLA Information

Polygraph Test Information