SC First Steps 4K Lead Teacher

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts
• Paid time off
• Training & development

The Learning Experience- Mt. Pleasant

SC First Steps 4K Lead Teacher

Position Details

Location: The Learning Experience- Mt. Pleasant

407 Faison Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466

Program: South Carolina First Steps 4K (CERDEP)

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Based on education and experience

About The Learning Experience & SC First Steps 4K

The Learning Experience (TLE)- Mt. Pleasant partners with South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness to deliver high-quality, free 4K education through the Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP), commonly known as First Steps 4K.

First Steps 4K serves eligible four-year-old children at no cost to families and is co-administered by SC First Steps in private preschool settings. Through this partnership, TLE provides a nurturing, standards-aligned learning environment that prepares children for kindergarten success while supporting families and strengthening school readiness statewide.

Job Purpose

The SC First Steps 4K Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, and academically rigorous classroom environment that supports the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of four-year-old children. The Lead Teacher plans and implements instruction aligned with the SC Early Learning Standards, First Steps 4K requirements, and TLE's L.E.A.P. curriculum to ensure students are fully prepared for kindergarten.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet South Carolina First Steps 4K eligibility requirements, including:

• Associate's Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or a related field

AND enrollment in or completion of a teacher education program within four years

• Minimum of six months experience in a licensed childcare or early learning setting

• Ability to pass:

• SLED background check

• DSS Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect

• Two professional references familiar with work history

• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum & Instruction

• Develop and implement weekly lesson plans aligned with:

• SC Early Learning Standards

• First Steps 4K approved curriculum

• TLE's L.E.A.P. Program

• Use child observations, assessments, and progress monitoring to individualize instruction

• Prepare students for successful transition into five-year-old kindergarten

• Maintain documentation required for First Steps monitoring and compliance

Classroom & Compliance

• Maintain a classroom that meets:

• SC DSS licensing regulations

• First Steps 4K program requirements

• TLE health and safety standards

• Participate in First Steps site visits, monitoring, and audits as required

• Ensure accurate attendance, enrollment, and child record documentation

Child & Family Engagement

• Build strong partnerships with families through:

• Regular communication

• Family engagement activities

• Support of attendance and school readiness goals

• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times

Professional Development

• Attend all required:

• SC First Steps trainings

• DSS licensing trainings

• TLE professional development

• Complete all required continuing education hours annually

• Demonstrate ongoing growth in early childhood best practices

Team Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with:

• Assistant Teachers

• Center Leadership

• First Steps Program Coordinators

• Support center-wide quality improvement and accreditation goals

Why Join TLE- Mt. Pleasant First Steps 4K?

• Be part of a state-supported, high-impact early education initiative

• Serve children who benefit most from early learning access

• Receive ongoing training through both TLE and SC First Steps

• Join a mission-driven, professional early childhood education team

• Make a lasting difference in school readiness for South Carolina children

Compensation: $23.00 per hour

This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to The Learning Experience Corporate.

The Learning Experience #407

The Learning Experience

At The Learning Experience, we make early education joyful, engaging and fun so children are happy to learn, play and grow.

Our curriculum focuses on the six ages and stages of early childhood development and engages children in hands-on learning activities that encourage them to explore and solve problems at their own rate of development. This forms a foundation for kids to Learn, Play and Grow under the care of our nurturing teachers and staff.

At TLE, we've created a full cast of characters that become our little learners' educators, partners and friends through their preschool education journey. Each character has a unique personality and area of interest and brings learning to life by allowing children to explore the world through fun and imagination.