Lead PreKindergarten Teacher

Job Title(s): Full Time Lead Pre-K Teacher

Reports To: Child Development Director

Location: Middletown, Rhode Island

At Haven, we understand the interconnectedness of family well-being, personal health, and professional life. We empower parents to reclaim their time, take care of themselves and ensure their children thrive in a nurturing environment, by offering licensed childcare, workspace, and fitness facilities under one roof. This unique approach allows parents to balance personal and professional needs without compromise, fostering a culture of well-bring that benefits the entire family.

Our dedicated team is the backbone of Haven, providing the care, support, and peace of mind needed for families to navigate the crucial first five years of their children’s lives confidently. With Haven, you will be part of a team who is on a mission to create a solution to this country’s childcare crisis while being a part of a uniquely wonderful community of caring humans. Haven was given the great distinction of being a certified “Great Place to Work” in 2024, 2025 and 2026. We endeavor to provide an environment in which the three pillars of our culture thrive together, our teams, families and children.

You will love working with us because we offer great benefits, and great support from our team, including training and continuing education.

Haven is looking for a nurturing childcare professional to lead our exciting play based Infant Child Development program which is focused on enriching the daily lives of children from 48 months to 60 months of age. A full time teacher within our program will be responsible for caregiving, developmental observations, development of age appropriate/individually suited curriculum, and facilitating a nurturing and supportive relationship with our community of families. Our program aligns with Rhode Island Early Learning Development Standards and is enhanced by our focus on play based learning.

Our goal at Haven is to positively enhance our community of families' lives, the second they walk through our doors. If you are a loving, nurturing and compassionate person who has a deep interest in advancing the lives of our next generation during their critically important first five years of life, you will be a great fit for our team.

Essential Job Functions:

The responsibilities of this position will include, but will not be limited to the following:

Early Childhood Programming

• Ensure the safety of the children within the inside and outside environments at all times.
• Establish partnerships with families that are respectful of individual differences, family styles and cultural/socio-economic diversity.
• Administer all staff assigned meals and rest breaks are allocated in a timely manner and be minimally disruptive to the children’s daily routines.
• Follow all DCYF regulations and center policies
• Plan, supervise and implement a Developmentally Appropriate Preschool/Pre-k program in accordance with the policies and philosophy of Haven and the curriculum objectives.
• Conduct regular developmental screenings of each child using the tool provided.
• Conduct Parent/Teacher conferences after screening and whenever necessary.
• Create an instructional plan that meets the needs of each child using the screening results, anecdotal observations, children's individual interests and style of learning.
• Observe children on a regular basis and record observations.
• Offer guidance and direction to support staff.
• Positively impact the lives of children and families every day.
• Planning and executing a curriculum that aligns with the RIELDS
• Staff supervision
• Preparing, serving and cleaning up snacks and parent provided meals
• Changing Diapers
• Bending, kneeling, lifting and sitting on the floor
• Appropriately interacting with children throughout the day
• Maintaining cleanliness in the classroom and ancillary spaces
• Communicating with families and supporting parents as their children develop
• Filling out daily reports and other documentation
• Following through with daily lesson plans
• Attending monthly staff meetings
• Creating a yearly professional development plan and annually completing required hours of professional development
• Ability to communicate and work effectively within a team to achieve our goals
• Able to read, write, speak and understand English, bilingual encouraged to apply.

Interactions with Children:

• Communicate with children and families in a positive manner helping to bolster their confidence
• Treat each child with dignity and respect, helping bolster their confidence as they learn to navigate into their ever expanding world.
• Nurture children as they develop into responsible integral members of the group and community
• Be approachable and accessible in order for children to become actively engaged in problem solving in the environment
• Utilize developmentally appropriate guidance practices for infants and toddlers
• Encourage children to be responsible for their actions

Interactions with Parents:

• Establish regular communication with parents regarding their child’s progress in the program or on specific issues arise
• Always remember that a parent’s day likely started well before they arrive at our doorstep, patience and grace are key ingredients to trusting relationships within our community
• Partner with parents to create an easy transition into the program
• Create an environment that embraces open communication with families
• Facilitate quarterly parent meetings and other parent involvement activities
• Provide Early Childhood/community resources as needed
• Attending required community events.

Interactions with Staff:

• Attend and participate in all staff meetings.
• Attend In-Service training and workshops.
• Be courteous and respectful of peers.
• Direct issues to the appropriate persons in a timely manner.
• Supervise support staff.

Administrative Functions:

• Complete all pertinent classroom paperwork (daily reports, attendance, shopping lists, staff-child ratios, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Assist in the education and supervision of fieldwork/internship students.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to observe and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and/or conflicts that might occur during the day.
• Able to supervise children outside being out in the sun, snow and changing temperatures.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds from the floor to waist high table.
• Able to push a cart/buggy/stroller weighing up to 100 pounds for up to 3 miles.
• Able to walk or run as the job dictates.
• Able to kneel down to children's eye level.
• Able to sit on the floor to work with children.
• Able to react to a child that is up to 30 feet away within 30 seconds.
• Able to carry a child up to 40 pounds, up to 100 feet.
• Able to respond to children’s first aid needs (inside or outside) which may include cuts, bruises, blood/body fluids.
• Extremely patient and able to deal effectively with the stress involved in working daily with children, staff and parents.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• A person who meets all of the qualifications in one of the following options may assume the role of teacher:

Option 1: The individual holds a high school diploma with a vocational concentration in child care and has two years supervised experience in a licensed/approved early childhood program. Option 2: The individual holds a high school diploma or a general education development (GED) certificate and has three years supervised experience in a licensed/approved early childhood program. Option 3: the individual holds a child development associate (CDA) and has one year supervised experience in a licensed/approved early childhood program.Option 4: The individual has completed twelve credits in early childhood education or field related to early childhood education from an accredited institution or higher education and has at least three months supervised experience in a licensed/approved early childhood program. Option 5: The individual holds an associates degree or higher in a field related to early childhood education, child development, human services or recreation from an accredited institution of higher education.

• Successful completion of all State Required Health and Background screenings
• CPR/First Aid training within 90 days of hire
• Working knowledge of personal computers with experience in the use of Word, Excel and Outlook
• Able to work in collaboration with classroom team
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility on the job
• Eighteen years of age or older
• Demonstrate initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow-through on areas of responsibility
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree related to Early Childhood Education
• Successful completion of PRAXIS early childhood exam.

Benefits:We pride ourselves on providing a great work environment for all our teachers and staff. Full time employees are eligible for benefits such as:

• Haven offers a 50% discount for Tier 1 EE Only Health Insurance Plans for all full-time employees. 33% discount for EE and Spouse, EE and Child(ren), and EE and Family
• HSA/FSA offered
• Life Insurance, short term disability and long term disability 100% paid by the company
• 5 Paid Vacation days for 4th of July Summer Break closure
• Paid Vacation between Christmas and New Year’s for Winter Break closure
• During the first 5 years of employment: 7 Vacation Days- accrued (resets on anniversary date annually, 1.077 weekly accruals per week worked *New Hires cannot use their accrued vacation time until a 90-day probationary period has been met*
• After the first 5 years of employment: 10 Vacation Days- accrued (resets on anniversary date annually, 1.538 weekly accruals per week worked *New Hires cannot use their accrued vacation time until a 90-day probationary period has been met*
• 5 Sick Days-frontloaded (available for use upon hire,40 hours) *New Hires cannot use their frontloaded sick days until a 30-day probationary period has been met*
• 9 Paid Holidays *New hires are not eligible for paid holidays until they have worked for 30-days or more following their hire date*
• 2 paid Professional Development days
• Tuition/Professional Development Assistance Available-check with HR for details
• Referral Bonus of $350 (referred employee must work for 3 consecutive months to qualify)
• Employee Childcare Discounts based on availability-check with HR for details
• Employee bonus opportunities
• 401K with 4% safe harbor match after 500 hours worked in a 6-month consecutive period
• Coworking/Fitness available
• Onsite lunches, milestone celebrations and team growth/bonding & enrichment events throughout the year and company gear

Note:

*Full-Time Employees are employees who work no less than 37.5 hours on a consistent basis

*Employees who work at least 30 hours on a consistent basis will qualify for medical benefits only

*Full-Time temporary employees including seasonal, are not entitled to paid holidays

Employee Conduct:It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through cooperation and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.Our business has a zero-tolerance policy for any negative actions or interactions which involve racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive behaviors. This is an equal opportunity environment in which all sentient beings are treated with equal respect and love by all who enter our premises. The company has a drug free workplace and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $21