Our competitive UPK Teacher salaries range from $29.58 to $35.96 per hour. Salary is determined by your level of education and experience in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

Primary Purpose

Provide a safe and nurturing environment that encourages children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by Bright Horizons and other designated quality standards to prepare children ages 3 and 4 for kindergarten. Incorporate Bright Horizons’ mission, culture, goals, values (HEART Principles), philosophies, and policies into day to day work. Maintain positive relationships with families, children, colleagues, and supervisors. Ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by fulfilling critical health and safety duties. Celebrate and value all children and adults by welcoming and honoring their unique abilities and backgrounds. Fulfill mandated reporter requirements as defined by the appropriate State agency including immediately reporting any suspected cases of abuse and neglect to the agency, and informing the director.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Interact with children frequently, affectionately, and respectfully at their level in all settings. Encourage and model social behavior and expectations that are developmentally appropriate. Use positive guidance techniques when responding to children’s behavior per Bright Horizons’ policies and applicable state requirements. Give children your full attention. Be available and respond promptly and appropriately to their needs.

Enhance children's play with language, materials, and activities. Engage in frequent conversations with children and look for opportunities to expand their learning and extend their thinking.

Keep children within limits of sight and sound supervision at all times. Maintain accurate attendance tracking sheets (We Care) throughout the day. Know the number of children in your care, and maintain required staff/child ratios.

Follow all health and safety procedures established by Bright Horizons and other designated quality standards. Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices.

Maintain a safe, clean, appealing, and organized work area which is accessible to children.

Support children’s growth and development in all domains by fully implementing Bright Horizons curriculum, including signature practices and enrichment programs. Plan classroom daily schedules that provide a balance of activities. Maintain flexibility to change planned activities according to children's interests.

Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities to promote and encourage kindergarten readiness and to foster social skills and encourage children to problem solve, question, experiment, and be creative. Celebrate diversity by providing materials and experiences that reflect both location and global communities.

Create documentation of children's learning, daily experiences, and accomplishments through daily notes, documentation panels, our child assessment system - Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG), and portfolios. Documentation must be accurate, well organized and of high quality.

Welcome and greet all visitors and families, including those attending for back-up care, with a friendly and professional demeanor. Respond to parent/guardian comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and respect. Share positive, individualized information with families daily regarding the development and specific activities of children. Conduct periodic family conferences to discuss transitions and developmental goals for children. Communication must be focused, direct and convey progress against learning milestones.

Develop positive relationships with colleagues through professional and respectful communication and collaboration. Proactively work to resolve issues and concerns. Assume a fair share of responsibility in the classroom. Demonstrate initiative, and look for ways to be helpful in meeting the needs of children, the classroom, and teaching team.

Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance. Demonstrate flexibility to scheduling adjustments based upon program and center needs. Attend all mandatory meetings including staff meetings, trainings, and other location events. Actively contribute to program initiatives and positive work environment.

Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning by actively engaging in continuing professional development. Respond to and integrate change in a positive and constructive manner. Take responsibility for actions. Give and receive feedback with respect and a willingness to make suggested changes for professional growth.

Protect confidential information related to staff and families, and treat necessary communications related to such information with sensitivity.

Decision Making

Limited ability to deviate from standard practices, completes work as assigned

Influence

Limited requirement to influence others

Impact

Team

Job Requirements – Education/Experience

Education

Lead teachers must have ONE of the following:

A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field of study (approved by DOHMH) and a current certification in the early childhood grades. This includes: Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2); (Nursery-6); and (Pre-K-6) certification as well as Children with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2).

An equivalent certification from a public or private teacher accrediting organization (out of State) granted reciprocity by the New York State Education Department.

A bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field of study and two years of supervised and documented relevant experience in an early childhood program if currently employed in a permitted child care service.

— Approved study plan

An associate’s (AA or AS) degree in Early Childhood Education, practicum included; or

All study plans must be completed within seven years.

Study plans must be approved by an accredited college.

A person who is study plan-eligible must submit documentation to DOHMH indicating proof of enrollment in such college and specifying the time required for completion of training.

Experience

12 months professional teaching experience is preferred.

Additional Job Requirements

Make routine decisions regarding classroom management, respond to children’s needs, create and implement lesson plans (subject to review by supervisor). Use good judgement, and ask for assistance where needed.

Must comply with mandated reporting requirements. Suspected child abuse or neglect must be promptly reported to the appropriate State agency, or to the center director who then becomes responsible for filing the report immediately. The Teacher has the obligation and the right to contact the appropriate state agency directly.

May take action but must inform director when caring for child with significant injury, learning of a parent/guardian concern, or recording an unusual incident.

Supervisor approval needed for schedule changes, time off requests, transition of a child into another classroom, or administration of medication to a child, and to release a child to someone other than known parent/guardian, discuss behavioral challenges or developmental concerns with a parent/guardian, contact a parent/guardian about a child’s temperature or illness, or seek outside support services for a child.

Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum practice for 4 and 5 year-old children. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for this age group.

Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and openness to new ideas in education practices, particularly related to Kindergarten-Prep curriculum and materials. Maintain professional appearance to reflect Kindergarten-Prep standards.

Strong organizational, verbal and written communication skills are required.

Pass required state and company background checks.

Compensation Range: $29.58 to $35.96

The range of compensation listed here or that may be discussed in the interview process is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

Life at Bright Horizons:

Our people are the heart of our company. Because we’re as committed to our own employees as we are to the children and families we serve, our collaborative workplaces are designed to grow careers and support personal lives. Here, you’ll find traditional perks (health insurance, 401(k), PTO, and flex spending), education assistance (including access to free CDA and ECE degrees), and so much more. Come build a brighter future with us.

HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH YOUR APPLICATION?

Contact us at bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com or 855-877-6866

Bright Horizons is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following EEO is the Law Poster: EEO – English and EEO – Spanish along with information on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.