4K Lead Teacher

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Dental insurance
• Free food & snacks
• Free uniforms
• Health insurance
• Tuition assistance
• Vision insurance

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: $19.00-$23.00/hour

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