Preschool Teacher / Associate Teacher — Full-Time : Building Blocks Preschool

Preschool Teacher / Associate Teacher — Full-Time Building Blocks Preschool | Highland, MI $18.00–$21.50/hr based on experience and education

Who We Are

Building Blocks Preschool isn't your typical preschool. We're a Reggio-Inspired, nature-based program in Highland, Michigan where children ages 3–5 are treated as curious, capable researchers of their world. Our curriculum follows the children — their questions, their interests, their wonder — and our teachers are the people who make that magic happen every day.

Our classrooms spill outdoors. We take nature walks on the trails at Highland State Recreation Area. We work with clay, paint, light, and loose parts. We document children's learning like it matters — because it does. And every week, our teaching teams have dedicated time to reflect, plan, and collaborate together.

If you've been looking for a workplace that actually values what great early childhood education looks like, this is it.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with your teaching team to plan and implement a Reggio-Inspired, emergent curriculum
• Observe and document children's learning through portfolios, learning stories, and documentation panels
• Spend meaningful time outdoors with children across all seasons
• Support children's social-emotional development using restorative practices
• Build genuine relationships with families and communicate regularly
• Conduct developmental screenings (Ages and Stages) twice per year
• Follow Michigan licensing guidelines and Great Start to Quality standards
• Participate in weekly team debriefs, staff meetings, and ongoing professional development

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Associate's degree (AA) or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field — OR a valid Center-Based Preschool CDA credential

Preferred:

• Experience working with preschool-age children (3–5)
• Familiarity with Reggio-Inspired and Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
• Understanding of social-emotional learning and restorative practices
• Experience with portfolio/work sampling and writing learning stories
• CPR and First Aid certification
• Self-directed, takes initiative, thrives with variety
• Warm, outgoing, and genuinely loves being around young children

Schedule & Compensation

• Full-time, 8 hours/day | Tentative hours: 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM
• $18.00–$21.50/hr based on experience and education
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Paid time off
• Dedicated weekly planning time
• Professional development opportunities
• Support for TEACH grant recipients

This Role Is a Great Fit If You...

• Get excited about what happens when kids play with mud, light tables, and loose parts
• Believe children deserve to be taken seriously as learners
• Want colleagues who talk about documentation, provocations, and pedagogy — not just worksheets
• Are ready to be outside in October. And November. And February. (We mean it — and it's wonderful.)
• Want to grow professionally in a place that invests in its teachers

To learn more about our program, visit www.buildingblocksschool.com

Building Blocks Preschool is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $21.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to have a background check?

• Do you live within 30 minutes of Highland, MI 48356

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• teaching preschool: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Highland, MI 48356 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Highland, MI 48356: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person