Preschool Childcare Instructor

Blue River Services, Inc; Corydon (IN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue River Services, Inc. seeks a Child & Youth Services Preschool/Child Care Instructor to provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate care in a licensed classroom.

You will support cognitive, language, and social-emotional growth through structured activities and routine, using The Creative Curriculum. The role emphasizes safety, positive communication with families, and collaboration with therapists to implement IEP goals for children with special needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Active enrollment in CDA credential or higher degree in ECE or Elementary Education.
• Must obtain CDA within one year of employment or within state regulations.
• Previous experience with children is helpful but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet children and parents upon arrival and departure and maintain positive, professional communication with families.
• Create and maintain a safe, orderly, nurturing, and stimulating classroom environment that meets licensing requirements.
• Supervise assigned children at all times in classroom, on playground, during meals, and on field trips.
• Interact with children at their developmental level during indoor and outdoor activities.
• Plan and implement daily schedules, activities, and lesson plans using The Creative Curriculum.
• Lead activities that support cognitive, language, pre-writing, fine-motor, gross-motor, social-emotional, and self-help skills.

Skills

Classroom management

Team collaboration

Strong communication

Child development

Curriculum planning

Observation skills

Education

High school diploma

CDA credential pursuit

Early Childhood Education degree

Job description

Description

JOB TITLE: Child & Youth Services Preschool/Child Care Instructor

DEPARTMENT: Child & Youth Services

SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Preschool/Child Care Manager or Child & Youth Services Assistant Director

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None

JOB STATUS: 2 Full-time, Non-Exempt

SCHEDULE: Monday–Friday (7:30am-4pm)

Positions: Preschool Childcare Instructor over 3yr classroom, Preschool Childcare Instructor Floater (used in all ages) classrooms

Summary

Provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate care and instruction for preschool and child care participants in a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment. This position supports children’s cognitive, social-emotional, language, physical, and self-help development through structured activities, play, daily routines, and implementation of The Creative Curriculum.

Key Responsibilities

• Greet children and parents upon arrival and departure and maintain positive, professional communication with families.
• Create and maintain a safe, orderly, nurturing, and stimulating classroom environment that meets all applicable licensing and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise assigned children at all times in the classroom, on the playground, during meals, and on field trips.
• Interact with children at their developmental level during indoor and outdoor activities, including floor play, group activities, and transitions.
• Use positive classroom-management techniques, including calm redirection, clear expectations, and developmentally appropriate guidance.
• Plan and implement daily classroom schedules, activities, and lesson plans using The Creative Curriculum.
• Lead group and individual activities that support cognitive, language, pre-writing, fine-motor, gross-motor, social-emotional, and self-help skill development.
• Balance teacher-directed and child-initiated activities while providing developmentally appropriate choices for children.
• Encourage positive nutrition, dental hygiene, health habits, and social skills during snacks and meals.
• Assist children with meals and model appropriate behavior; food may not be used as punishment or reward.
• Maintain classroom organization, including labeling materials, preparing learning areas, creating bulletin boards, and ensuring materials are ready for daily activities.
• Clean and sanitize classroom equipment and designated areas daily and assist with additional cleaning as assigned.
• Maintain the classroom, playground, supplies, and equipment; promptly report repair needs, safety concerns, and licensing violations to the supervisor.
• Maintain current classroom inventory and communicate supply and equipment needs to the supervisor.
• Work collaboratively with therapists to support implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals for children with special needs.
• Complete and maintain required daily documentation, including attendance, medication records, food-program records, incident and accident reports, and other center charting.
• Report suspected child abuse through appropriate channels in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in special events, staff meetings, trainings, and other assigned center activities.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, the center, and Blue River Services, Inc.
• Follow all agency personnel policies, standard operating procedures, center rules, and applicable regulations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be actively enrolled in coursework toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or higher degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.
• Previous experience working with children is helpful but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team with shared responsibilities and outcomes.
• Ability to build positive, respectful relationships with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.
• Strong classroom-management, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to plan engaging, age-appropriate activities and respond to individual children’s needs.
• Must be at least 21 years old to be the staff person in charge of an infant/toddler group.
• Must be at least 18 years old to be the staff person in charge when all children in the group are at least 24 months of age.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds or more.
• Ability to sit on the floor, use child-sized chairs, kneel, crawl, bend, twist, turn, and otherwise position yourself at a child’s eye level.
• Adequate vision and hearing to supervise children visually and auditorily in classrooms, on playgrounds, and during field trips.
• Ability to actively participate in indoor and outdoor play and safely respond to children’s needs throughout the day.

Blue River Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace.

Requirements

Education Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be actively enrolled in coursework toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a higher degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.
• Must obtain a CDA certification or higher credential within one year of employment, or within the timeframe required by state regulations.