Center Teacher 04/09/2026

Summary

South Central Child Development, Inc. (SCCD) provides Head Start preschool and family services within 16 counties in South Central South Dakota since 1986.  SCCD is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of center teacher to help children develop school readiness skills in a preschool setting.

Duties and Responsibilities

Maintain a clean and orderly center.

Organize space into learning activity areas clearly recognizable by children (i.e. block, area, housekeeping area, manipulative area, book area, sand box, easel art area, water table, etc. using the agency's research-based curriculum as guidance)

Develop and implement lesson plans, and activities which reflect a basic understanding of the needs and developmental abilities of preschool children, of early childhood education and development principles and of Head Start philosophy and which meet the requirements of the program’s education curriculum

Individualize lesson plans to meet the specific needs of a child

Implement an Individual Education Plan for each child with special needs as provided by the local school district and under the direction of the Area Leader

Provide a positive classroom environment that will nurture each child's emerging sense of self

Provide an environment conducive to the child's intellectual, physical, social and emotional development

Maintain anecdotal observation records on each child and complete developmental assessment three times per program year using the agency's assessment tool

Perform screenings on children using agency tools

Maintain accurate records on each child and make referrals to component coordinators when necessary

Comply with required reporting procedures/record keeping

Promote child-focused conversation during all Head Start activities

Communicate a positive acceptance and appreciation of different cultures

Demonstrate a commitment to eliminating stereotypes of low income and minority groups in the community

Establish relationship of trust with children and their families

Act as a role model to reinforce concepts introduced to children during the year

Act as a role model to Head Start parents and center employees that reflects the Head Start philosophy

Coordinate center staff and volunteers in carrying out the day-to-day operations of the center

As necessary, provide guidance to center staff and volunteers on early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practices in addition to how to interact with children

Assist parents in seeing themselves as the prime educator of their child

Provide parents with developmentally appropriate educational follow-up activities for their child outside of the classroom (weekly In-Kind sheets)

Assist with parent meeting and parent-education sessions

Provide 2 home visits and 2 parent-teacher conferences to each family to develop child development plans and encourage their participation in the center and in project activities following program format

Refer parents to appropriate Head Start staff for necessary services

Assist with obtaining community resources for center needs

Assist the Health Coordinator and Family Advocate in the health care of the child as required

Assist with the follow-up on absences with the Family Advocate, Site Supervisor and/or Area Leader

Assist the Family Advocate to recruit children and families for Head Start services

Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day cleaning of the Head Start classroom, and contacting the Site Supervisor and/or Area Leaders as needed when repairs are needed

Attend all required training and staff meetings

Other duties as assigned by the Area Leader, Leadership and Administrative Teams

Other Information

This position is located at the center, remote work is not available.  This position typically works a minimum of 8 hours per day Monday through Thursday with children in the classroom.  Friday hours are required for lesson planning, data entry of records, make-up days and/or training and in-services.  The starting pay for this position is $53,805 with a South Dakota Teaching Certificate.

Reports To:  Site Supervisor/Area Leader

Also Works With:  Executive Director, Fiscal Administrator and SCCD's Leadership Team

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

Must be willing to adapt to flexible work hours, including some evenings to meet the needs of families

Must be willing to obtain a CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential if required (determined by the candidate's education)

Must be willing to attend training and continuing education to maintain a CDA and/or Teaching Certificate as required by the Head Start Program Performance Standards

Must facilitate local parent committee meetings, parent education sessions and parent programs, encouraging fatherhood and youth activities

Must be able to effectively and productively work with people of diverse economic and cultural backgrounds

Must be able to work cooperatively with the team, agency leadership and administrative personnel

Must be able to maintain confidential information

Must be able to work effectively (individually and in a group) and have good communication and people skills with other staff and enrolled families

Must document and report suspected child abuse and neglect by following the program's reporting procedures

Must be able to effectively use a computer

Must be willing to complete First Aid and CPR certification (provided by the agency) within the first 3 months of employment.

Must be able to actively interact with preschool children, which includes having good dexterity with the ability to lift up to 40 pounds, push, pull, carry, climb, balance, kneel, sit, stand, walk, bend and squat.

Must complete mandatory background screens as part of your employment in a Head Start Preschool program (including State and FBI fingerprinting, Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect screening, Sex Offender Registries, health screener and employment physical).

Preferred:

BA/BS Degree in Early Childhood Education with Teaching certificate - OR

BA/BS Degree in any filed with 36 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education

Center CDA Credential and enrolled in an Early Childhood Education program

Previous experience with Head Start Preschool, early childhood education or preschool programs and/or with adult education and instruction

Possess knowledge of child development principles.

Comprehensive Benefits

9 month position paid over 12 months

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

$50,000 employer paid life insurance

Voluntary options for spouses and children

Retirement Benefits

100% employer paid profit sharing retirement plan

New employees become vested after 5 years

Employee 401(k) with both Traditional and Roth options available

Direct access to a financial expert for free retirement investment advice

Paid Time Off

Paid personal leave

Paid sick leave

Other Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees, their spouses and dependent children

AFLAC

Priority enrollment for children of SCCD employees.

Student Loan Forgiveness: SCCD is a qualified employer under that Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.  See PSLF for details.