Job Details

Teacher, Penn Children's Center

Position Number: 6936512
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Child Care Services

Teacher, Penn Children's Center

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title
Teacher, Penn Children's Center

Job Profile Title
Teacher, Children's Center

Job Description Summary
The Teacher is a key member of the Penn Children's Center (PCC) team and is responsible for supporting the Center's educational philosophy of learning through play. This role fosters a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment that supports the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of young children.

Job Description

Responsibilities

The Teacher is responsible for the care, supervision, and education of children ages 12 weeks to 5 years, in accordance with NAEYC, Keystone STARS, and DHS guidelines. Key responsibilities include:

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily classroom activities.
Foster each child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Prepare monthly classroom newsletters and maintain consistent parent communication.
Conduct parent-teacher conferences at least twice per year using the Center's designated assessment tools.
Maintain accurate daily logs, student records, and required documentation.
Arrange, maintain, and rotate educational materials and classroom equipment.
Respond promptly and professionally to parent questions or concerns.
Train and supervise part-time classroom support staff.
Coordinate classroom staffing to ensure licensing ratios and high-quality care.
Maintain a Professional Development Record and complete all required training mandates.
Promote an inclusive, respectful environment that values diversity and collaboration.
Model professionalism grounded in positivity, respect, and teamwork.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Family Studies, Early Childhood Special Education, or Elementary Education plus 3-5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Bachelor's degree outside the early childhood field must include: At least 3 years of experience in a NAEYC-accredited program, or At least 3 years of experience in a non-accredited program plus 30 hours of relevant training within the past 3 years.
Strong knowledge of early childhood development and education standards.
Demonstrated ability to supervise, lead, and develop classroom staff.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
Experience working with a diverse population of children and families.
Commitment to professional growth and continuous learning.
Flexibility to work during Center operating hours (typically between 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) to meet licensing ratios.
Skills in language, art, music, and drama are highly valued.
Successful completion of a comprehensive background check is required.

About Business Services

The Division of Business Services (BSD) supports the individual and collective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable, customer-focused campus environment through the delivery of mission-critical services and essential operations. BSD's mission is to provide high-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner. The Division is currently focused on three major initiatives:

Revenue growth and retention through improved marketing, expanded services, and new distribution channels
Driving productivity for the Division and its customers through enhanced use of technology
Enhancing service offerings through facility upgrades and expansions

Learn more: https://business-services.upenn.edu

About Penn Children's Center:

The Penn Children's Center serves children ages three months to five years and is located on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Enrollment is open to members of the University and surrounding communities, with preference given to Penn faculty, staff, and students.

Learn more about PCC: https://business-services.upenn.edu/childcare

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Business Services

Pay Range

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Left-Bank-Penn-Childrens-Center/Teacher--Penn-Children-s-Center_JR00117054