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SC First Steps 4K Lead Teacher

Learning Experience Corp, Mount Pleasant, SC, United States


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

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 and 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, and 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, and 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, and 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, and 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, and 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.

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