Early Learning Specialist I

Creative School for Children:

The Creative School for Children (CSC) at the University of Central Florida is a dynamic early learning environment where children thrive through hands-on, developmentally appropriate experiences and educators are valued as collaborative partners in learning. CSC offers a supportive, team-oriented setting that emphasizes creativity, family connection, and professional growth — making it an ideal place for early childhood professionals who want to do meaningful work in a thoughtful, university-affiliated program.

The Opportunity:

The Early Learning Specialist I supports a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment for young children enrolled in an early childhood or child development program. The specialist assists instructional staff with lesson implementation, supervision, documentation, developmental support, and daily classroom operations to promote children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.

Responsibilities:

Child Care & Classroom Operations:

• Ensure the safety, supervision, and well-being of children at all times through active monitoring by sight and sound.

• Implement programs, activities, and daily routines appropriate to the developmental level and individual needs of each child.

• Maintain an environment where children are encouraged to learn, explore, and develop at their own pace.

• Assist with daily classroom operations and support smooth, efficient program delivery.

• Adapt to classroom reassignments and provide operational support as needed to meet center needs.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to maintain the safe and effective operation of the classroom and center.

Curriculum Implementation & Child Development:

• Collaborate with lead teachers to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, learning activities, and instructional strategies.

• Assist in developing and implementing lesson plans that incorporate individualized developmental goals and align with Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards.

• Support individualized learning experiences that promote children's cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development.

• Communicate and collaborate with instructional staff to support children's growth and developmental progress.

Assessment & Progress Monitoring:

• Assist with formal and informal child screenings, assessments, observations, and developmental evaluations.

• Utilize observation tools, developmental checklists, and screening instruments to monitor children's progress and identify developmental needs.

• Share assessment results and developmental information with families in collaboration with teaching staff.

Behavior Guidance & Social-Emotional Development:

• Support positive behavior management practices in partnership with teachers and families.

• Implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate behavior guidance techniques, including Conscious Discipline strategies.

• Foster a positive classroom culture that promotes self-regulation, social-emotional growth, and respectful interactions.

Family Engagement & Communication:

• Maintain positive and professional relationships with children, families, and colleagues.

• Assist with daily parent communication through ProCare, written documentation, classroom updates, newsletters, and parent conferences.

• Communicate children's progress, classroom activities, and developmental milestones with families as appropriate.

• Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs and perspectives of children, families, and staff while supporting the school's mission and educational philosophy.

Classroom Environment, Compliance & Safety:

• Maintain classroom environments, materials, and activity areas in an organized, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate manner.

• Ensure compliance with Florida Statutes 402.26-402.319, Florida Administrative Code 65C-22.001 Child Care Standards, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, and Early Learning Leaders Accreditation requirements.

• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all center policies, procedures, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.

• Demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures and respond appropriately during emergencies or critical incidents.

Leadership, Collaboration & Student Support:

• Guide and mentor UCF student workers, volunteers, and assistants in appropriate interactions with children.

• Model developmentally appropriate practices and delegate classroom responsibilities as appropriate.

• Contribute to a collaborative team environment and support center-wide initiatives and goals.

• Support the supervision and development of students, volunteers, and classroom assistants participating in program activities.

Professional Development:

• Attend staff meetings, parent meetings, workshops, and other required training activities.

• Complete annual professional development and training requirements, including a minimum of 20 training hours per year.

• Participate in ongoing learning opportunities to maintain knowledge of best practices in early childhood education and child development.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 1+ years of relevant experience; or High School Diploma (or equivalent), a CDA and 5+ years of relevant work experience in lieu of degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6). 

Incumbents in a licensed childcare facility must meet the requirements of Chapter 402, Florida Statutes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.

• Possess a Florida Child Care Staff Credential: Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, or Florida Staff Credential (FCCPC, ECPC, CCAC, SAPC)

• Experience in a nationally accredited childcare center.

• Knowledge of Conscious Discipline and Reggio Emilia approach.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

• The anticipated salary range for this position is $17.72- $19.15. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

• This position requires a Level 2 Background Check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Clearinghouse prior to employment. For more information, please visit the FDLE Clearinghouse: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/.

• This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

• All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‑1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program 

• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions 

• Education assistance 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

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The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email [email protected].

For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].