Junior Kindergarten Teacher Child Care Center

Job Description

Job Description

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (full-time)
Start:
January‑February 2026
Status: Exempt/non‑exempt (depending on experience) — competitive pay + benefits

Why work at Foundations?

For over ten years, Foundations has operated as Lincoln’s premier play‑based, family‑style childcare and early learning center that prioritizes home‑like care, inclusion, and child‑led learning. Our core values are Celebrate Childhood
, Cultivate Community
, and Let Kids Be Kids
. We serve children ages 18 months–6 years (and sometimes beyond) in intentionally inclusive classrooms where all abilities and neurotypes learn alongside one another.

This opening is for a full‑time Junior Kindergarten teacher. Our current JK teacher has done a wonderful job and is shifting scheduling in their life — we are looking for someone who will continue the established routines and expectations rather than change them dramatically. Of course, all teachers are welcome to give their personal touch to the environment and how they operate it.

If you are careful, patient, collaborative, and committed to relationship‑first teaching, you will thrive here.

• Workday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday–Friday.

• Daily instructional block (more teacher‑led): 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (this focused, group instructional window is essential; preserving this routine is important).

• The remainder of the day includes caregiving, meals (Breakfast, Lunch, PM Snack), nap supervision, and free play in structured groups. Preschool and Junior K classes intermix outside the instructional block, so you’ll collaborate across age groups. Foundations also has a toddler classroom, but they have their own enclosed environment for nearly the entire day.

• Plan and implement play‑ or project‑based lessons and small‑group, teacher‑led activities tied to our pre‑determined curriculum (areas‑of‑interest/centers linked to daily readings).

• Lead the instructional block 10–12 daily: whole‑group reading, guided table work, and small‑group projects.

• Observe, document, and report child progress (Using our Brightwheel app and paper progress reports).

• Verbally translate play into learning in the moment by narrating connections and scaffolding next steps.

• Supervise mixed Preschool/Junior K groups collaboratively with other teachers.

• Assist with meals, toileting/diapering (disinfecting surfaces before first use and after each change), nap supervision, and outdoor play.

• Follow health and environmental regulations.

• Use Foundations’ Behavior Guidance & Response Framework, which enlists teachers to respond rather than react. We try to avoid modeling reactive behaviors, never yelling or losing composure.

• When conflict arises between children, prioritize the safety and comfort over punishment, guide restorative inquiry and accountability instead of exclusion or retribution.

• Supervise risky play with clear boundaries (consent, no hitting or pulling on clothing).

• Maintain classroom order; clean and organize the classroom.

• Build respectful, warm relationships with families: greet them at drop‑off/pick‑up, send Brightwheel updates (eye‑level photos), and sign incident/behavior forms when required.

• Enforce Family Agreement expectations; advance combative family behavior to Director/Ownership to be handled seriously the first time, we will never expect teachers to endure disrespect from families.

• Keep child and family information confidential.

• Download and utilize our communication apps to their fullest ability during work hours.

• Attend required trainings, staff meetings, and document duties.

• Minimum age: 19+

• Education: High school diploma required;
  Associate’s/Bachelor’s in ECE or related field preferred. If you have a NECPRS account from previous childcare experience, please let us know as any unexpired training credentials are a plus!

• Experience: Minimum 2 years with preschool/early‑elementary age preferred; experience in inclusive OR special education settings preferred.

• Clearances & Health: Pass…