Early Childhood Education Teacher

POSITION: Early Childhood Education Teacher 

COMPANY: Happy Place Child Care

REPORTING TO: Chief Administrator

STATUS: Full-time (40-hours/per week) & Over-time as needed

COMPENSATION: Compensation is based on experience and education

LOCATION: Any Happy Place Location (Middletown, DE or Newark, DE)

POSITION OVERVIEW

Early Childhood Teachers at Happy Place are the heart of our classrooms. You will create a safe, joyful, Christ-centered environment that nurtures the whole child – emotionally, socially, spiritually, and academically. This role includes planning and delivering developmentally appropriate lessons, maintaining open communication with families, and modeling the values of our faith-based community.
 

YOU’RE PERFECT FOR THE POSITION AT HAPPY PLACE IF… 

• You believe teaching young children is a calling, not just a job.
  You engage with children on their level—with patience, creativity, and joy.
• You are dependable, consistent, and committed to providing excellent care every day.
• You communicate clearly and respectfully with families and teammates.
  You love using songs, stories, and sensory play to make learning meaningful.
  You follow policies and procedures with care and attention to detail.
• You seek out professional growth and look for ways to improve your teaching.
• You take initiative, contribute ideas, and jump in to support the team when needed.
• You reflect Christ’s love and grace in how you speak, serve, and teach.
• You’re the kind of person who picks up a toy, wipes a nose, or comforts a crying child—because you know it all matters.
   

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• At least 18 years old
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Pass a comprehensive background check and fingerprinting
• 6+ months of experience working with children from birth through second grade in a group setting
• Completion of TECE 1 and 2 (or equivalent) and at least six credits in early childhood or child development
  
   

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Classroom Instruction & Child Engagement

• Engage with children at all times with intentional, age-appropriate supervision
• Implement Bible-based activities daily, including singing, scripture reading, and Christian lessons
• Create and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with curriculum goals
• Conduct monthly observations and link child development to curriculum outcomes
• Complete Ages & Stages screenings (annually) and Teaching Strategies GOLD assessments (3x/year)

Family Communication

• Maintain open, respectful, and consistent communication with parents
• Participate in biannual parent-teacher conferences and provide progress updates
• Document and report incidents, behavior concerns, or developmental observations professionally and promptly

Behavior Management & Safety

• Maintain order in the classroom using appropriate positive guidance strategies
• Use calm, kind tones and follow the center’s disciplinary policy
• Document and report all accidents or injuries per policy
• Report any signs of suspected abuse or neglect to the administrator immediately

Team Collaboration

• Encourage assistant teachers to contribute to curriculum planning and classroom success
• Collaborate with coworkers to maintain a peaceful, unified classroom culture
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development sessions
• Support and live out the center’s mission and values in all interactions

Organization & Licensing Compliance

• Maintain a clean, organized classroom at all times
• Inspect materials regularly and report damaged supplies to management
• Complete required daily and weekly documentation: tracking sheets, food forms, lesson plans, etc.
• Follow all policies in the employee handbook and DELACARE licensing regulations

CORE VALUES:

Christ-Centered Compassion- We lead with love, grace, and patience, reflecting our faith through care for every child and family. 

Excellence in Early Learning- We strive for the highest standards in education, supporting every child’s developmental journey with intention and passion. 

Safety First, Always- We prioritize the physical and emotional safety of children, staff, and families in all decisions and actions. 

Respectful Family Partnerships- We value open, honest communication with families and work together to support each child’s growth. 

Inclusive & Joyful Family Community- We celebrate diversity and foster a culture where every child and staff member feels seen, valued, and supported because we are truly a family. 

Integrity & Accountability- We act with honesty and take responsibility for our actions, modeling ethical behavior at all times. 

Team-Focused Responsibility-  We show up for each other by thinking ahead, following through, and understanding how our actions affect the entire team and the children we serve. 
 

BENEFITS:
 

• Paid Vacation & Holidays - 40 hours of paid vacation and 7 days of Paid Holidays 
• Discount On Care - 50% off your child(ren)s tuition to the centers. 
• Personalized Development Plans – We work with you to map out a clear path for advancement based on your interests, strengths, and career goals.
• Paid Training & Certifications – We cover required professional development Certifications that can be used to increase pay.
• Advancement from Within – We prioritize internal promotions whenever possible and help you meet DELACARE qualification milestones.
• Recognition Wall – A monthly space to publicly acknowledge teammates who go above and beyond.
• No-Gossip Environment – We foster emotionally safe, respectful spaces so you can thrive both personally and professionally.
   

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To apply for a position at Happy Place, candidates must submit a resume to happyplacedaycare@yahoo.com along with three references who are not family or friends. Selected applicants will be invited for an in-person interview with center leadership. 

Following the interview, candidates may be asked to participate in a one-hour classroom observation and working review to assess their interaction with children and classroom dynamics. 

Final candidates will receive a conditional offer letter, contingent upon the successful completion of fingerprinting, background checks, and all state-required clearances.