Early Childhood Lead Teacher – Older Toddler Program (2–3 Years Old)

Early Childhood Lead Teacher – Older Toddler Program (2–3 Years Old)

Friends School Haverford

Overview:

Friends School Haverford seeks a warm, creative, and experienced educator to join our Early Childhood team as the Lead Teacher for our older toddler classroom (ages 2–3), beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year. This is a 10-month position with the option to continue into the summer as the lead camp teacher for the same age group. Rooted in Quaker values and guided by a child-centered philosophy, our Early Childhood program nurtures curiosity, independence, and community. We emphasize inquiry-driven, nature-based learning and believe young children learn best through deep relationships, meaningful play, and exploring the world around them. Our program is licensed by both the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS).

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement a responsive, relationship-based, emergent curriculum that reflects children's interests, developmental needs, and the natural world.
• Cultivate a joyful, inclusive, and collaborative classroom culture that supports each child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
• Foster a classroom environment grounded in Quaker values such as simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship.
• Observe, document, and reflect on student learning and behavior to inform instruction and communicate with families.
• Attends workshops, training, and conferences for professional development.
• Partner closely with assistant teachers and early childhood colleagues to align practice, share observations, and co-create curriculum.
• Build trusting relationships with families through regular communication, conferences, and family engagement opportunities.
• Participate in school life, including lunch/recess duties, committee work, and community events such as admissions open houses and evening programs.
• Attends to the physical and hygienic needs of the child, including providing a pleasant daily rest time.
• Responsible for carrying out health and safety policies and procedures, including monitoring infant/toddler activities, equipment, and environment for safety.
• Models good health habits.
• Ability to follow program policies by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Care regulations and Keystone STARS regulations.

Teachers participate fully in the life of the School, including covering lunch and recess, participating in admissions-related events, writing reports, and other related activities. All teachers are members of a faculty committee and engage in at least one other activity/job that benefits the school community, as determined by the Head of School.

Friends School Haverford has been guided by Quaker principles since 1885, providing an education that fosters creativity, respect, and self-awareness. We believe in the strength of community and the importance of diverse perspectives.

EEOC

Friends School Haverford seeks candidates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Friends School Haverford believes diversity is essential to our lives and education. We welcome faculty, staff, and students of any race, color, ethnic background, religion, disability, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, family structure, and socio-economic background. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs. We welcome all qualified applicants to join our community.

Health Insurance
Professional Development
Including Major holidays, employee have paid vacations during fall, winter, and spring break.

Strong candidates will have:

• Minimum of three years of experience teaching in an early childhood setting, ideally with toddlers or preschool-aged children.
• Demonstrated commitment to inquiry-based and project-based learning.
• Experience incorporating outdoor and nature-based learning into daily routines and curriculum.
• Ability to adapt instruction for diverse learners and learning styles.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative spirit and eagerness to engage in reflective teaching practice.
• Enthusiasm for working in a mission-driven school environment and interest in Quaker education.
• Employees have to submit the following clearances obtained from the Department of Human Services:
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.
• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance.
• FBI Criminal History Clearance.

8/26/2025

Commensurate with experience