Infant/Toddler Educator (Ladybugs Classroom)

Position Overview:

Grant Park Cooperative Preschool, a Reggio-inspired beacon of early childhood education in Atlanta's vibrant Grant Park neighborhood, seeks a dedicated Infant/Toddler Educator for our Ladybugs classroom, serving two and three-year-olds. At GPCP, we embrace a child-led, play-based approach to learning, eschewing a strict curriculum in favor of a more fluid, responsive educational experience. The ideal candidate is passionate about fostering this creative learning environment, rich in art, music, and movement. Your role will involve leading classroom activities that are dynamically shaped by the interests and explorations of the children, while also emphasizing developmental milestones such as potty training and emotional literacy. This position requires collaboration with a team to create enriching, engaging, and spontaneous educational experiences, ensuring a nurturing and imaginative learning journey for our youngest learners.

This position is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions the Educator may be required to perform, and you may be required to perform additional functions if hired into this role. GPCP reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The Educator must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Ladybugs classroom, ensuring a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for toddlers.

• Develop and implement a curriculum that integrates arts and promotes holistic child development.

• Work collaboratively with co-educators to plan and document educational activities and children's progress.

• Engage with parents and the community as part of our cooperative education model.

Qualifications:

• Experience in early childhood education, particularly with toddlers.

• Strong understanding of child development, including potty training and emotional support.

• A creative and dynamic approach to teaching, with a willingness to incorporate art and movement into the curriculum.

• Excellent communication and team collaboration skills.

• Knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach is required.

Schedule:

• 8-hour shift, Monday to Friday.

• Location: Atlanta, GA 30312. Applicants should be able to reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work.

Why Join GPCP?

Grant Park Cooperative Preschool is more than just a school; it's a community. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we believe in the importance of a beautiful, stimulating environment where children learn through exploration and creativity. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful educational experience, deeply rooted in community engagement and cooperative principles.

Moreover, at GPCP, we are committed to the ongoing education and enrichment of our educators, setting us apart from other schools. We offer unique professional development opportunities, including participation in the Reggio Children study groups. These study groups provide deep insights into the Reggio Emilia Approach, encompassing theoretical discussions, documentation presentations, and immersive visits to Reggio Emilia's renowned infant-toddler centers and preschools. This journey to Reggio Emilia, Italy, allows our educators to be fully immersed in the concepts, contents, and values of this pioneering educational approach. By being part of our team, you gain access to these enriching experiences, fostering your professional growth and deepening your understanding of our educational philosophy.

GPCP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.