Little Lights Learning Center is a faith-based early learning center serving children ages 1–5 in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment. As a ministry of High Praise, we believe childcare should be more than simply watching children while their parents work. Our goal is to intentionally teach, encourage, and care for each child while helping them grow socially, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. What makes Little Lights different is our commitment to creating a Christ-centered environment where children are known, loved, and given opportunities to learn through purposeful play, structured routines, age-appropriate curriculum, and meaningful relationships with their teachers. We are building a team of educators who genuinely enjoy working with young children, value teamwork, communicate well with families, and want to make a lasting difference during some of the most important developmental years of a child's life.

Lead Teacher – Shining Stars

Classroom: Shining Stars, Ages 3–4 / Preschool

Classification: Lead Teacher

Schedule: Full-Time, Monday–Friday

Typical Shift: Approximately 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, subject to center staffing needs

Position Summary

The Shining Stars Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, loving, structured, and engaging preschool classroom for children approximately 3–4 years of age.

This position is ideal for someone who genuinely enjoys teaching and understands that preschool should be more than supervision. The Lead Teacher should be able to create a classroom where children are actively learning, developing independence, building friendships, practicing self-regulation, and preparing for the next stage of their education.

As a faith-based learning center, Little Lights seeks teachers who will model Christ-like character and help create an environment where children are known, loved, encouraged, and taught with purpose.

Essential Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership

• Take ownership of the daily operation of the Shining Stars classroom.
• Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
• Establish consistent routines, expectations, and transitions.
• Create a warm, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Use positive guidance and age-appropriate behavior-management strategies.
• Promote independence, responsibility, kindness, and cooperation.
• Work collaboratively with assistants and floaters assigned to the classroom.
• Communicate classroom needs and concerns to the Director or Assistant Director.

Teaching & Curriculum

• Implement the center's approved preschool curriculum and lesson plans.
• Provide intentional learning experiences throughout the day.
• Prepare age-appropriate activities that support:
• Early literacy and language development
• Pre-writing and fine-motor skills
• Early math concepts
• Science and discovery
• Creative arts
• Music and movement
• Social-emotional development
• Problem-solving
• Independence and self-help skills
• Incorporate the Christian mission and approved faith-based curriculum of Little Lights.
• Create opportunities for both teacher-led instruction and purposeful play.
• Prepare classroom materials and learning centers as needed.
• Observe children's development and adjust instruction when appropriate.
• Provide feedback regarding curriculum needs and classroom progress.

Preschool Readiness

The Shining Stars classroom should intentionally prepare children for their next educational stage.

The Lead Teacher will help children develop skills such as:

• Following multi-step directions.
• Participating appropriately in group activities.
• Taking turns and sharing.
• Communicating needs using appropriate language.
• Developing early literacy and number awareness.
• Strengthening pencil grip, cutting, coloring, and other fine-motor skills.
• Cleaning up after activities.
• Managing personal belongings.
• Increasing independence with bathroom routines and self-care.
• Developing confidence and age-appropriate problem-solving skills.

Academic expectations should remain developmentally appropriate and should not replace hands-on learning and play.

Behavior & Social-Emotional Development

• Help children learn appropriate ways to express emotions.
• Teach and model conflict-resolution skills.
• Encourage children to use words rather than aggressive behavior.
• Reinforce kindness, respect, patience, and cooperation.
• Redirect inappropriate behavior calmly and consistently.
• Maintain clear boundaries while treating children with dignity.
• Communicate recurring behavioral concerns to center leadership and families when appropriate.

Health, Safety & Supervision

• Maintain continuous awareness of children's location and activities.
• Follow all center health, safety, sanitation, and emergency procedures.
• Monitor bathroom routines and provide assistance when developmentally necessary.
• Follow proper handwashing and sanitation procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom.
• Complete incident documentation accurately and promptly.
• Immediately report injuries, suspected abuse or neglect, safety hazards, or significant concerns according to center policy.
• Follow center procedures regarding allergies, meals, pickup, outdoor play, and child supervision.

Family Communication

• Greet families professionally and warmly.
• Communicate relevant information about children's days and progress.
• Share classroom accomplishments and concerns appropriately.
• Build positive relationships with families.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
• Refer significant parent complaints, conflicts, or sensitive issues to center leadership.

Professional Expectations

• Arrive on time and maintain dependable attendance.
• Maintain professional communication with coworkers and leadership.
• Participate in staff meetings and required training.
• Complete and maintain required childcare credentials.
• Follow Little Lights policies and procedures.
• Accept coaching and participate in performance evaluations.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Demonstrate flexibility and teamwork when center needs require temporary support outside the assigned classroom.
• Help create a positive staff culture rather than participating in gossip, negativity, or inappropriate workplace conflict.

Qualifications

Preferred

• Previous experience working in a childcare, preschool, or early-learning setting.
• Experience specifically working with children ages 3–4.
• Previous Lead Teacher or classroom-management experience.
• Florida childcare credentials and required DCF training.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Experience implementing preschool curriculum or structured learning activities.

Required

• Ability to successfully complete all required background screening.
• Ability to complete required DCF training and childcare credentials within the timeframe established by Little Lights.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required CPR/First Aid certification.
• Reliable attendance and transportation.
• Ability to safely supervise and physically assist preschool-aged children throughout the workday.
• Willingness to actively teach, guide, clean, supervise, and participate in all aspects of classroom care.
• Ability to support and work within the Christian mission and values of Little Lights Learning Center.

Physical Requirements

The position regularly requires the ability to:

• Sit and work at children's level.
• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Bend, kneel, squat, and reach.
• Assist children with personal-care needs when necessary.
• Lift or assist young children when necessary.
• Respond quickly to situations involving child safety.
• Participate in indoor and outdoor activities.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position means the Shining Stars classroom is:

• Safe and appropriately supervised.
• Structured and predictable.
• Loving and emotionally supportive.
• Actively teaching children throughout the day.
• Preparing children for their next developmental and educational stage.
• Providing meaningful learning experiences rather than simply occupying children.
• Clean and organized.
• Communicating effectively with families.
• Managing behavior with consistency and positive guidance.
• Operating independently without requiring frequent intervention from center administration.

The Shining Stars Lead Teacher is expected to take ownership of the classroom and create a preschool environment where children are excited to learn, grow, and build confidence.