Lead Teacher (Reggio-inspired) - Early Childhood Education

Kids U is a growing Accredited Early Childhood Learning Institute in Calgary and Strathmore guided by our Core Values of Knowledge, Innovate, Development, Service and Upliftment. For children in the ages zero to six, we offer best-in-class child care as well as preschool and kindergarten programs that build experiences and influence the development of executive functions. Our curriculum is backed by scientific research and this approach prioritizes how a child learns instead of what they learn.

Our classrooms are inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. The image of a child views children as strong, capable, competent, and full of potential according to the founder of this approach Loris Malaguzzi. We offer an inspirational classroom that works as a third teacher with different learning centers that are setting up in a beautiful way to invite children to work on their imagination that help them create and express their thoughts and feelings working on the executive function. As a lead teacher you will be part of this amazing process becoming a researcher, an observer, a great inspirational role model, and a good communicator working on document children’s work

We are currently recruiting for these campus locations: Centennial

Your Role:

• • To Set up the classroom based on children’s interests
  • Monthly/Weekly curriculum planning and lesson planning in place. Following children interests
  • Provide the children an inspirational environment (a classroom as a 3rd teacher) which includes making materials to support the individual needs within the classroom
  • Plan individual and group activities to stimulate growth of the executive functions skills - cognitive flexibility, working memory and inhibitory control. ( based on projects)

• Interact with children and initiate proper social behavior, grace and courtesy
• Supervise the children at all times, ensuring a safe environment inside the classroom and outdoor programming
• Daily reporting and record-keeping - attendance, allergy, medication, communication logs
• Maintain up-to-date emergency cards, attendance, and health and safety checks
• Participate and interact in team meetings and workshops
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required from time to time

Our Requirements:

• Diploma in early childhood education or a related field
• Passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge of early childhood development and executive functions
• At least 5 years of teaching experience with children 0 - 6 years
• Knowledge and embodiment of the Reggio-inspired approach
• Adaptability, creativity, patience, responsibility, resourcefulness, and a good sense of humor
• Home classroom setup: must have the space requirements to create an inviting creative area
• Technology requirements: computer, reliable internet connection, microphone, camera, and understanding of video conferencing.
• Must have or be willing to obtain: Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector, First Aid
• Ability to lift a min. of 40 lbs especially when working with infants and toddlers

Our Offer:

• You will be surrounded by the best-in-class educators and pedagogical leaders to share best practices and learn so as to enhance your class environment
• Professional Development Days focused around best practices in early childhood education and new, innovative ways of teaching and learning
• Annual Lead Teacher retreat focused on skills development
• Compensation based on education and experience
• Benefits include vision, dental, and paramedical services
• Tuition discounts on all child-care services for staff members, including full-time and part-time care, online education, summer camps and extracurricular activities
• Staff social committee focused on opportunities to make connections with other like-minded individuals and passionate educators through regular social functions, including an annual staff BBQ and Christmas party

COVID-19 Considerations:

• Kids U is following all Alberta Health Protocols to ensure the health and safety of our children and employees.
• This includes:
  • Frequent hand washing and sanitizer at all entrances
  • Safe distancing from other staff,
  • All adults wearing masks unless eating or drinking
  • Daily temperature checks
  • Digitized health screening questionnaire and sign in/out for ease of contact tracing
  • Frequent sanitization of high touch surfaces and classroom materials
  • Organization wide Covid-19 preparedness plan in case of a positive test

If you are passionate about teaching children, and are driven by a desire to enhance early childhood education, Kids U is the place for you!

Kids U is an equal opportunity workplace and we are committed to building and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We believe that a strong focus and commitment to diversity and inclusion enables us to truly make early childhood education an enabler for wide-reaching change. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities and/or people with intersectional identities.