Aldersgate Christian Preschool

Lead Teacher Position Description

Aldersgate Christian Preschool is a ministry of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.  The school opened in January of 2021.  Since its inception, it has had one class of 3-5 year olds that is taught by a Lead Teacher and an Assistant Teacher.  The class meets in the mornings for 3 hours per day.  The ideal class size is 9-11 students.  The motto of the school is: “Where children learn to love and love to learn.”

Required Expectations:

  • Be a Godly representative of Jesus and His Church, being warm and nurturing with children 
  • Be a positive role model for all caregiving staff and for all children
  • Have a demeanor that is both professional and friendly, helping parents feel great about entrusting their children to our care
  • Ensure the safety and well-being of each child by responding to their spiritual, emotional, social, and physical needs as well as their educational needs 
  • Utilize developmentally appropriate practices and best practice methods at all times 
  • Communicate with love and truthfulness
  • Maintain good communication and working relationship with the pastor/pastors and with other ministry staff
  • Lead the classroom in light of the overall mission and vision of ministry of Aldersgate Church

Responsibilities:

  • Develop an activity-based curriculum that is geared toward helping children (3-5 years old) “learn to love and love to learn”
  • Create and maintain a physical and social and educational environment that is engaging, clean, organized, and safe for all children
  • Plan daily activities that are developmentally appropriate for young children 
  • Create/identify and lead activities in light of each child’s individuality, helping each child “learn to love and love to learn”
  • Engage children in activities and play that stimulates their social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development 
  • Assist children with activities of daily life (restroom use, diapering, hand washing) 
  • Appropriately supervise children while keeping them safe at all times
  • Approach parents daily and speak with them about their child(ren)
  • Establish a professional level of rapport with each family in order to provide quality care and friendly service
  • Train any Assistant Teacher in the classroom and direct them as to what duties need to be carried out throughout the day 
  • Supervise the Assistant Teacher in the classroom and ensure they are leading children appropriately and are friendly and respectful with parents 
  • Conduct child assessments and offer and facilitate parent-teacher conferences 
  • Attend and engage in occasional parent participation events and other events that may be on nights and/or weekends 
  • Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance and project Godly values at all times 

Qualifications:

  • Possess an Associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development; or a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development or a child related field.
  • Attend Aldersgate’s Safe Sanctuaries training, and submit to various background checks including those completed through the Department of Social Services and the Virginia State Police Department 
  • Be CPR/First Aid certified or obtain certification upon hire
  • Complete a Tuberculosis test and annual physical and provide a physician’s documentation
  • Be mentally and physically capable of caring for a group of children in a classroom
  • Possess a strong work ethic, be punctual, and have minimal absences
  • Have an awareness of the unique needs of young children and have appropriate expectations of their abilities 
  • Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry children up to 50lbs
  • Have dependable transportation

Hours and compensation

  • Hours:  M-F, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm (or 8am-1pm), September-May, with class hours 9:00-12:00
  • Schedule generally follows the Albemarle Public Schools calendar
  • Time of service is through the end of the current school year (If earlier resignation becomes necessary due to unexpected circumstances, a minimum of one month’s notice is requested.)
  • Lead Teacher is paid 20 days/month (even though the average number of school days/month is less than 20).  $19/hour.  Up to 5 days of paid absence are available per academic year.
  • (4-5 hrs/day x 20 days/mo x 9 mos [Sept-May] x $19) $13,680- $17,100

Please keep in mind that the above job description is meant to be a guideline and does not list in detail all of the job responsibilities of Lead Teacher. All duties of the Lead Teacher position will be covered in orientation and during the “hands-on” portion of the position training.

To apply submit your resume to info@cvaumc.org